Both major parties pledge Terrigal Dr upgrade

The pledging war between the major parties continued this week, with the Liberal Party promising $112.5M for a major upgrade of Terrigal Dr if elected and Labor announcing there will be $115M in next week’s Federal budget for the project.

An upgrade of the major roadway would see improved safety, reduced congestion and enhanced transport efficiency.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Bridget McKenzie were on the Central Coast on Friday, March 14, to make the announcement alongside Liberal candidate for Robertson Lucy Wicks.

Dutton said the upgrade would be a game-changer for residents, commuters and businesses who have faced years of frustration due to delays and inaction under the Labor Government.

“The Coalition will get on with the job of fixing Terrigal Dr to duplicate sections of the single-lane road and deliver critical intersection upgrades to ensure it is safer for all road users, while also supporting local businesses and economic growth,” he said.

“We want to make sure the Central Coast has the quality roads and infrastructure that it needs to get ahead.”

McKenzie said the Government had cancelled, cut and delayed more than $30B worth of infrastructure projects over the past three years, including putting a two-year freeze in their first budget on delivering local road projects funded by the former Coalition Government.

Wicks said the investment was a direct response to concerns raised by the Robertson community.

“I’ve spoken with countless local residents who are fed up with congestion and dangerous road conditions,” she said.

The Coalition also pledged to deliver the stalled Central Coast Road Package, including the Ocean Beach Rd and Rawson Rd intersection upgrade at Woy Woy and work on Shelly Beach Rd at Empire Bay.

But Labor Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid said in her nine years as the region’s MP, Wicks had secured no funding for major road upgrades.

“It’s taken a Federal Labor Government for the Central Coast to finally get the funding it deserves,” he said.

Reid said the $130M upgrade to Avoca Drive through Kincumber was nearing the start of construction.

“There are now a number of local roads that have been upgraded thanks to our $40M Central Coast Local Roads Package,” he said.

“And the Ocean Beach Rd and Rawson Rd intersection upgrade in Woy Woy is progressing.”