Widen the road, dig tunnels, develop other and even new roads, improve railway infrastructure and services, safeguard Aboriginal artefacts. And so the endless list, with good intention, goes on with little long-term solutions being found.

What we need is real leadership, not political tinkering.

Establish a reputable and competent body to quickly and thoroughly examine all the proposals and come up with a plan that all parties commit to and then get on with it.

It may take a little time, but it should produce long-term gains.

The original European settlement was confined to the Sydney basin until ways to the north, south and west were explored and developed, the west being the last.

We are in a similar position today. The north and south have done well with road and rail; we haven't.

We need a modern day Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth, followed by a Governor Macquarie.