NSW LABOR has promised $13 million funding to enable construction of the next stage of the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange at Glendale, if it is elected to government.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Federal Labor has committed $13 million to the project, and Lake Macquarie City Council has committed $6 million.
NSW Labor leader Michael Daley described his party's commitment as the "final piece in the puzzle" to complete the first stage of the regional project.
NSW Shadow Minister for the Hunter, Kate Washington, said: “[Premier] Gladys Berejiklian’s refusal to fund this important piece of infrastructure underlines the [state] government’s wrong priorities.”
“It’s extraordinary that the government can find $2.2 billion to splurge on new sporting stadiums in Sydney but can’t find a fraction of that for a vital piece of infrastructure in the Hunter."
The Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange has been ranked as a top infrastructure priority in the Hunter region by local councils, MPs and other stakeholders including the Hunter Economic Development Corporation and the Property Council.
The interchange project involves the extension of Pennant Street in Cardiff over the main northern railway line, connecting it to the recently established intersection of Glendale Drive and Stockland Drive.
The bridge would create a direct link between Glendale and Cardiff and reduce local congestion issues by supporting 16,000 vehicle movements each day including 1,500 heavy vehicles.
Labor candidate for Lake Macquarie Jo Smith welcomed the party's funding commitment for the project.
“The Pennant Street bridge is shovel ready. It connects Glendale with Cardiff over the main northern rail line," Ms Smith said.
“It directly links the bustling retail hub at Glendale with the industrial and commercial centre of Cardiff. We need this to be done as soon as possible.”
