Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch has hit back at claims by Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch that the Central Coast has been left high and dry with no follow through on promised funding and support for a university campus in Gosford.
“The University of Newcastle wants to move forward with a campus in Gosford, but election promises for funding, land, and in-kind support from State and Federal Governments have disappeared leaving the university unable to proceed with its local projects,” Tesch said.
She said the university sector was worth $19B to the NSW economy, but money was largely bypassing the Central Coast.
“An enlarged university presence in Gosford would allow for a major injection into the local economy, bringing new jobs and opportunities for our young people,” Tesch said.
“We see investment speeding past us on the M1 to Newcastle and south of Sydney to Wollongong, but without region building projects we don’t have the same educational drawcards.
“The University of Newcastle received $23.5M for its new campus in the heart of Newcastle City, with the announcement highlighting the learning, cultural, and social benefits to the region, but without the NSW and Federal Governments coming good with their election promises, the Central Coast will not see the same benefit.
“The pandemic has made us all realise how much we love our region, and that we should be supporting opportunities that create more jobs and investment on the Coast.
“I’d love to work with the University of Newcastle and the State and Federal Governments to get a Gosford campus moving in the next round of stimulus funding.”
But Crouch said the NSW Government was committed to delivering a new Education and Employment Precinct around Gosford CBD.
“This will catalyse significant and ongoing revitalisation of Gosford City Centre and will massively increase opportunities for Central Coast residents to work and study locally,” he said.
“It is important we provide more choice for the 44,200 locals who currently travel for work and study every day.”
Crouch said Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC), a State Government agency, had been tasked with delivering the commitment and was actively working with a number of stakeholders to explore options that support the project.
Source:
Media release, May 6
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch
Media statement, May 13
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch