THE $40-million first section of the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange (LMTI) was officially opened on Friday, but questions persist about the ambitious project.
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The new road creates a link between Cardiff and Glendale that is expected to streamline traffic and improve connectivity in the key commercial and community precincts.
The opening came just days after the state government committed $1.7 million to develop a business case for future stages of the LMTI.
The council had been seeking $13 million from each of the state and federal governments to help fund construction of the next state of the project.
“It’s been a big week for our city and the LMTI and it is very exciting to see this first stage come to fruition,” Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser said.
“The new road connection between Glendale and Cardiff will provide a major boost to local business and make commuter journeys faster, smoother and safer.”
It’s been a big week for our city and the LMTI and it is very exciting to see this first stage come to fruition.
- - Mayor Kay Fraser
Independent Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper also welcomed the $1.7 million funding, but said it wasn’t enough.
He questioned the government’s decision to dispute Lake Macquarie City Council’s costings for the rest of the project, while seemingly having no such concerns about funding Newcastle’s revitalisation to the tune of $482 million.
“It begs the question: if the state government wants to again stall the interchange project at Glendale to question the business case, why would it commit another $200 million to the Newcastle project which, as far as we know, still doesn’t have a business case or total costings?” Mr Piper said.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald said the LMTI was a crucial infrastructure project.
“The new road provides a faster and more direct route to the Hunter Sports Centre, one of the premier sporting venues in NSW, while residents will also benefit from improved access to the services, entertainment and retail outlets at Glendale,” Mr MacDonald said.
Federal member for Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon, paid tribute to the council for its funding of the project but said “both the federal and state governments should see the value in leveraging off that commitment with their own financial contributions”.