The opening of the M1 Pacific Motorway extension from Black Hill to Raymond Terrace this Friday is a game changer for the people of the Hunter and for every motorist making the journey up to the North Coast and beyond.
Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for the Hunter Scott Farlow said the project had only become a reality because of the vision and commitment of both the former Federal Coalition Government and NSW Liberals and Nationals Government.
“The M1’s missing link is no more thanks to the vision and commitment of the former Federal Coalition Government and the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government, who planned, designed and funded this vital piece of infrastructure for the people of the Hunter and New South Wales,” Mr Farlow said.
“With the completion of the M1 Pacific Motorway extension from Black Hill to Raymond Terrace motorists across the Hunter will no longer be stuck in bottlenecks over the Hexham Bridge contending with tourists and truckies.”
“This is a congestion buster for every motorist who uses the stretch between Newcastle and Maitland every day, removing 25,000 vehicles from local Hunter roads, while keeping freight, tourists and local commuters moving through the region.”
“From 2020 the former Coalition Federal Government and NSW Liberals and Nationals Government worked to make this a reality with a $2 billion commitment to the project and saw the vision of this vital missing link become a reality.”
“It’s good to see that the Federal and State Labor Governments have completed this vital project for the people of the Hunter, but sadly under the Albanese Government future projects in NSW are missing out.”
“Under the former Federal Coalition Government, New South Wales received its fair share of Federal Infrastructure funding – 31 per cent. Now under Labor our State is losing out to Queensland and Victoria who are receiving well above their population share of Federal infrastructure funding, while in New South Wales we received only 17.7 per cent.”
“Hopefully the opening of the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension won’t be the end of the road for Federal Infrastructure funding in new South Wales. The Premier finally needs to take up the case with the Prime Minister and fight for a fair share for the people of New South Wales,” Mr Farlow said.
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