PORT Macquarie was one of the big winners to come out of Tuesday’s State Budget, with more than $150 million committed to the electorate.
In what was a tough budget statewide, Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said she was pleased to be able to fund some significant projects in the region.
“Despite falling GST revenue, which continues to impact on NSW, many significant projects across our electorate have received state government funding,” she said.
“Treasurer Mike Baird has injected millions of dollars to some very worthwhile local projects and programs which will be welcomed by our local communities.”
Some of the major funding commitments to the electorate include;
– $59.5 million to continue work on the $110 million Port Macquarie Base Hospital expansion.
– $35 million to award the construction contract and continue planning for the upgrade of the Pacific Highway between the Oxley Highway and Kundabung.
– $11.5 million to complete construction of the dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Herons Creek and Stills Road.
– $4.46 million for the restoration of natural disaster damage to local roads and bridges.
– $3.1 million investment for social housing to build 15 units in two projects at a total cost of $5.5 million.
– $2.7 million upgrade of Ocean Drive in Port Macquarie by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
– $1.8 million for the construction of two five bed group homes in Port Macquarie.
– $1.8 million towards the construction of the new $3.9 million fire station at Port Macquarie.
In the Oxley region, $130,000 will be spent on the Wauchope Court House for minor workplace health and safety compliance work and improvements to disability access.
Wauchope Public School has been committed funding for a new building, while Wauchope High School will get money to upgrade access.
Deputy Premier and Oxley MP Andrew Stoner said the government was honouring its election commitment to boost frontline nurses, teachers and police.
“We have already seen a boost in these frontline services here on the Mid North Coast and throughout the year we will see further new appointments of nurses in our hospitals, teachers in our schools and police on our streets,” Mr Stoner said.
“The Premier, the Treasurer and I acknowledge there is still much more to be done, but we are getting on with the job of repairing our budget situation so that we can clear the massive infrastructure backlog before us and improve local services.”
