A re-elected Morrison Government will boost funding for roads across the Central Coast of New South Wales with a $40 million commitment to improve the safety and quality of local roads.
This additional funding will prioritise local road improvements that increase road quality and safety as well as supporting the Central Coast Council to address the significant maintenance backlog created by recent weather events and the increased traffic movements of a growing region.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government’s record infrastructure investment was supporting residents of the Central Coast, while creating local jobs.
“A strong economy means we continue to improve roads across the Central Coast, helping residents get home sooner and safer,” the Prime Minister said.
“Our record $1.4 billion infrastructure funding for the Central Coast will deliver faster rail from Newcastle to Sydney and upgrades to the Pacific Highway through Wyong Town Centre, creating more than 5,000 jobs.
“Continuing to provide record future funding for road and rail projects across Australia is a key part of our long-term economic plan to keep the economy strong.”
Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks said she had worked with local residents and Central Coast Council to identify priority projects that improve safety and address maintenance challenges across the region.
“Better local roads, particularly after the recent storms, is the number one issue raised with me and this funding will upgrade some of our worst roads across the Coast,” Ms Wicks said.
“Upgrading roads such as The Scenic Road through MacMasters Beach, Killcare and Killcare Heights, Rickard Road in Empire Bay and Rabaul Avenue in Umina Beach will make life easier for so many people living on the Central Coast.”
Liberal Candidate for Dobell, Dr. Michael Feneley, said he was delighted that three major problem spots would be upgraded.
“Hue Hue Road at Jilliby, Allison Road at Wyong and Lakeedge Avenue at Berkeley Vale are all in need of urgent work, so this news will be received well by the people of Dobell,” Dr Feneley said.
“Good roads are very important to coasties because we travel further than most other motorists in NSW, and there is nothing more pleasant or comfortable when you are driving, than to hit a patch of smooth new road.
“I know I speak for everyone in Dobell when I say that I’m very grateful that these works will be undertaken quickly.”
Local roads to be improved include:
- Hue Hue Road, Jilliby
- Allison Road, Wyong
- The Scenic Road, MacMasters Beach, Killcare and Killcare Heights
- Davistown Road, Saratoga and Davistown
- Rickard Road, Empire Bay
- Lakedge Avenue, Berkeley Vale
- Peats Ridge Road, Somersby
- Cape Three Points Road, Avoca Beach
Funding will be provided to Central Coast Council to support their works program, including road reconstruction, rehabilitation and resurfacing to improve safety for locals and visitors to the region.
This commitment builds on the Coalition’s strong investment to support infrastructure improvements across the Central Coast, including:
- $1 billion for faster rail between Sydney and Newcastle that that will deliver additional tracks between Tuggerah and Wyong, extra platforms and station upgrades at Wyong and Tuggerah as well as new dual track rail bridges over the Wyong River
- $336 million to upgrade the Pacific Highway through Wyong by duplicating the Highway between Johnson Road and Cutler Drive and replacing the existing Wyong River road bridge with two new road bridges
- $51.2 million to upgrade the Central Coast Highway – Tumbi Road intersection
- more than $86.5 million committed to the Central Coast Roads Package; and
- more than $35 million committed to Central Coast Council under the Roads to Recovery and Local Roads and Community Infrastructure programs.