An austerity budget but with commitments to important Lake Macquarie projects

The Minns Government state budget released today is, as expected, an austerity budget, with some welcome commitments to progress key infrastructure projects for Lake Macquarie. The Government has allocated:

• $1 million for planning for the Speers Point Roundabout upgrades in 2023/2024 with further funding for this project announced for coming years
• $1.54 million for 2023/2024 planning for the new Lake Macquarie Sport and Recreation Centre Project at the old Morisset Hospital site. The estimated total cost of this project is $40 million with $32.3 million planned expenditure in the four years to 2026-2027
• $4.8 million in funding for planning in 2023/2024 for the Mandalong Road upgrad
• $1.8 million for the continued planning for the Hillsborough Road upgrade
• $1.6 million in funding to fix the Owens Bridge Road in Martinsville
• $2.2 million in grants to Lake Macquarie Council as part of the Regional Roads Repair Fund

“With the financial challenges the Government claim they have inherited, it is not surprising the Government has chosen to rein in spending in its first budget. It will be interesting to see what the Government deliver when they bring the budget back into black, as they forecast, next year.”

“I am pleased that the Government has confirmed its commitment to a number of key infrastructure projects in the Lake Macquarie including fixing congestion around Speers Point roundabout, the Mandalong Road upgrade and the Lake Macquarie Sport and Recreation Centre. I am looking forward to seeing work commence on these projects as soon as possible.” Mr Piper said.

“While I understand the financial position the Government is in, I am disappointed that the Government has not committed a greater investment in planning for needs of the growing Lake Macquarie population. “

“Morisset and its surrounding suburbs have experienced huge growth in recent years but infrastructure projects and services in the area, particularly health services, are not keeping pace. Lake Macquarie cannot continue to grow without these vital road infrastructure projects getting off the ground. We also need to urgently start the planning to meet the health needs of our growing and ageing population.” Mr Piper said.

Key highlights for the Lake Macquarie Electorate

• $1.54 million for planning for the new Lake Macquarie Sport and Recreation Centre project
• $4.8 million in continued development funding for the Mandalong Rd upgrade between the M1 interchange and the Wyee Rd/Freemans Drive roundabout at Morisset
• $3.7 million grant to Lake Macquarie Council as part of the Regional Road Repair Fund
• $2 million to assess options for a future dedicated freight Lower Hunter Freight Corridor between Fassifern and Hexham
• $1.8 million for the continued planning for the Hillsborough Road upgrade
• $1.2 million for two dredgings of the Swansea channel to ensure a continuous open channel to improve access and safety of water users
• $1.6 million to fix the Owens Martin Bridge in Martinsville
• $54.6 million to continue to deliver additional commuter car parking spaces at interchanges across Greater Sydney and the NSW Central Coast
• $16 million to Hunter Water Corporation for capital works
• $250,000 for capital works expenditure for the Aboriginal Housing Office
• $2.4 million to the NSW Land and Housing Corporation for social housing upgrades and improvements.