Central Coast has welcomed funding of $14M for sewerage works in the region as the NSW Government invests $250M in essential infrastructure across the state to support the delivery of close to 140,000 new homes.
Under the third round of the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund (AIF), the Central Coast will receive $9.56M for the upgrade of the Gwandalan Sewerage Treatment Plant and $4.61M for the upgrade of the sewerage system in Gosford.
A spokesperson said the works would allow the region to continue to grow while maintaining essential services to the community.
“Council is awaiting the preparation of final funding deeds prior to providing further details,” the spokesperson said.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said an initial 36 councils and agency-led projects would receive funding through the third round of the AIF.
“We are fast-tracking the delivery of essential infrastructure required to speed up the construction of thousands of new homes right across our state,” Perrottet said.
This is part of our strategy to get people into homes faster by cutting red tape, speeding up development applications and boosting construction by getting more shovels into the ground sooner.
“Our long term economic plan is delivering major infrastructure projects for the future and will support communities as they grow.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the new funding builds on a $215M investment from the Government in the first two rounds of the program, with eligibility extended to regional councils for the first time.
“We know that getting infrastructure right is the key to unlocking land for housing in regional NSW, which is why we have allocated almost $120M for regional councils in this round,” he said.
“The areas eligible for this funding account for 94 per cent of NSW’s total population growth over the next 10 years, according to the latest population projections.
“Towns across regional NSW are booming, with more and more people moving away from the city.
“These projects will help set the foundations for future growth.”
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the councils successful in this round of the AIF would also provide their own funding for projects, amounting to a combined $517M worth of infrastructure on the way for NSW.
“We had an outstanding response from regional councils eager to work in partnership with the Government to unlock land for new homes faster and boost economic growth,” he said.
“We share their ambition and look forward to working together.”
The Accelerated Infrastructure Fund is part of the $2.8B NSW Housing Package announced in the 2022-2023 NSW State Budget.
Terry Collins