Budget funding confirmed for Lake Macquarie projects


19th June 2018

Millions of dollars promised to a range of Lake Macquarie projects have been confirmed by State Treasurer Dominic Perrottet in today’s State Budget.

There is funding for the Service NSW office coming to Toronto, and funding to begin the planning works for the installation of lifts at Wyee railway station.

The budget also includes funds for significant upgrades at Wangi Wangi and Speers Point public schools, and $1.5m for the next stage of work on the Wyee sewer connection scheme.

Funding has also been provided to a number of projects promised by the Government in recent months. This includes money for the rejuvenation of Rathmines Hall, money for the Speers Point Multi Arts hub and the expansion of Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery.

Funding has also been confirmed for new jetties at Wangi Wangi and Speers Point, a pontoon at Rathmines and new pathways linking Glendale TAFE with Cockle Creek Station.

There was no significant funding for the planned Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange at Glendale, but the Government has provided $360,000 to finalise the project’s business plan.

Social housing in the area will also be improved with a $1.7m commitment, while a further $13.7m has been allocated towards planning of the Fassifern-Hexham freight rail corridor.

Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper said the Budget had many positive points but funding was still needed for major projects such as the transport interchange and Hillsborough Road improvements.

“It was a positive Budget overall with a significant shift away from capital works and towards social investments,” Mr Piper said. “The NSW Generations Fund is a particularly noteworthy inclusion.

“NSW is in a very positive financial state and that has to be acknowledged, but the Government must start investing more in major regional projects instead of pouring billions into Sydney road and stadium projects.

“However, no one can deny that the Government’s investment in TAFE and apprenticeships is a good thing. So is the ‘Creative Kids’ bonus payment which comes in addition to the four-year ‘Active Kids’ scheme which started earlier this year. These things are highly valued by families in the Lake Macquarie area.

“The Government has delivered a large Budget surplus and I’m pleased that a lot of that money will be invested in a future fund, although it will be interesting to see how those dividends are distributed because I know a lot of young people who prefer to see the Government provide a bigger focus on environmental projects.

Key highlights for the Lake Macquarie Electorate

  • Funds to establish a full-scale Service NSW centre at Toronto.
  • Initial planning for the installation of lifts at Wyee Station.
  • Significant upgrades of Wangi Wangi and Speers Point schools.
  • $1.5m to continue work on the Wyee Sewer Connection Scheme.
  • Further funding to plan improvements to Hillsborough Road, the Fishery Point Rd and Macquarie Street intersection at Morisset, and the Dora Creek-Wangi Road intersection.
  • $1.7m to upgrade social housing.
  • $1.35m for Speers Point Multi Arts Space.
  • $735,000 towards the expansion of Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery.
  • $800,000 for the rejuvenation of historic Rathmines Hall.
  • $181,000 to install a solar system at Speers Point Pool.
  • $460,000 to replace Speers Point jetty.
  • $669,000 to upgrade Wangi Wangi (RSL) jetty.
  • $190,000 for new pontoon at Rathmines Park.
  • $725,000 for a new path linking Glendale TAFE with Cockle Creek Station.
  • $200,000 for new pedestrian refuge on The Esplanade at Speers Point.
  • $100,000 for the continued repair of Fennell Bay Bridge.
  • $13.7m for continued investigations on Fassifern-Hexham freight rail corridor.
  • $6m for initial investigations into faster rail trips between Newcastle and Sydney.
  • $2m for Mercy Services’ Home Support Program.
  • $143,000 for Mercy Services’ Community Transport Program.
  • $360,000 to finalise the business case for Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange.
  • $300,000 to continue the upgrade of Dora Creek wastewater treatment plant.

 

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