THE State Budget handed down on Tuesday includes $105m for projects in the Port Macquarie electorate, Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams says.
The funding allocations for the Port Macquarie electorate include:
* $73 million to commence construction of the dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific Highway between the Oxley Highway and Kundabung.
* $7.2 million to complete construction of the Sancrox Road interchange as part of the upgrade of the Pacific Highway between the Oxley Highway and Kempsey.
* $7.25 million for the replacement of the bridge over Stingray Creek at North Haven on Ocean Drive by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
* $6.2 million for the construction of Lake Cathie Public School.
* $3.4 million towards the construction of the new $3.9 million fire station at Port Macquarie.
* $3.2 million for the completion of the Port Macquarie Base Hospital redevelopment.
* $2 million to upgrade Ocean Drive in Port Macquarie by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
Ms Williams said the budget included additional funding for the tourism sector which was one of the most important economic drivers on the Mid North Coast.
“$110 million will go toward a new Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund which is part of the $1 billion investment in regional infrastructure,” she said.
“The NSW Government understands the need to pro-actively invest in regional NSW and is building the high-quality infrastructure our communities need.
“In 2014/15 there is a forecast deficit of $283 million, before returning to surplus in 2015/16 of $660 million.
“Rebuilding NSW means repairing what was left behind by the previous government, improving services and building the infrastructure the people of NSW need.”
