ONGOING improvements to the Pacific Highway are set to create thousands of jobs on the Mid North Coast over the next five years delivering a major boost to the region’s economy, according to Federal Lyne MP Dr David Gillespie.
Dr Gillespie made the comments following the recent announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss and Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner that another construction contract had been awarded in the region to continue the Pacific Highway upgrade.
“A works contract has been awarded to the McConnell Dowell/OHL Joint Venture for the construction of 14 kilometres of a four-lane divided highway as part of the Kundabung to Kempsey upgrade. This follows the recent announcement that Lend Lease will start work soon on the Oxley Highway to Kundabung Pacific Highway upgrade,” Dr Gillespie said.
“Over 1000 construction jobs are involved in these two projects and many more indirect jobs throughout the Manning, Hastings, Macleay and Nambucca valleys.
“Ongoing resurfacing and other improvements to the Pacific Highway between Taree and Port Macquarie and the Frederickton-to-Eungai and Warrell Creek-to-Urunga upgrades will create a further thousand jobs throughout the region.”
Dr Gillespie said over $3 billion in Federal and State funding would be injected into the region’s economy through Pacific Highway funding alone.
“As a Federal Government we are determined to improve the linkages between our region and the major cities of Brisbane and Sydney. Not only will it improve safety and travelling times, but it will also provide a significant boost to the region’s economy both during and after construction,” Dr Gillespie said.
