PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council has been quick to return fire after a State Government minister slammed the council for not starting work on upgrades to Ocean Drive and a new bridge at Stingray Creek soon enough.
During a whistle-stop visit to Port Macquarie last Thursday, Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay threatened to withdraw $18 million in funding.
“In early 2011, as part of a joint funding arrangement, the council requested $6 million from the NSW Liberals and Nationals to replace Stingray Creek Bridge at a total cost of $12 million,” Mr Gay said.
“The NSW Government also committed $10 million towards helping the council to upgrade nearly three kilometres of Ocean Drive.
“Unbelievably, after more than three years the council has still not started either of these vital projects – upgrades to Ocean Drive.”
Mayor Peter Besseling issued a statement in response to the minister’s threat within hours, saying Ocean Drive and the Stingray Creek Bridge replacement were at the top of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s list of priorities – and would remain so.
“The council, the community and the NSW Government are all wanting to see these projects completed as soon as possible,” Cr Besseling said.
“That is why steering groups have been set up with State Government departments, including NSW Public Works and Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), to progress the projects.”
While in Port Macquarie, Mr Gay also inspected the Oxley Highway and John Oxley Drive and Wrights Road roundabout precincts with Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams.
“The local member has convinced me improvements are vital for this intersection to improve accessibility for the community and businesses of the Port Macquarie region,” Mr Gay said.
“In the next six months approximately $7 million will be sourced from project savings to deliver a fully signalised intersection.
“A traffic-light-controlled intersection will help accommodate the increase of traffic growth from planned developments identified before construction of the hospital project and the John Oxley Drive Structure plan.”
He and Mrs Williams also commended two community groups which are advocating for safer shared pathways for the community in Camden Haven.
