Central Coast mayor Lisa Matthews has renewed calls for Premier Gladys Berejiklian to commit to funding key projects in the region.
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The mayor's comments came on Monday as Ms Berejiklian and her State Cabinet visited the Central Coast for a Community Cabinet meeting.
The Premier was in Gosford where she re-announced $2 million funding for Central Coast Conservatorium to upgrade its buildings and plan capital works.
But the mayor said the Central Coast desperately needed funding for enabling projects such as the second stage of the Regional Sporting Complex, in Tuggerah; Link Road, in Warnervale; the Gosford CBD revitalisation; and job creation and support for TAFE.
"Central Coast ratepayers alone cannot bear the burden," Cr Matthews said.
"We simply do not have enough funding for this significant growth corridor in NSW.
"If we are expected to deliver services and new infrastructure for another 70,000 people by 2036, we need the State Government on board and at our side to deliver on priority projects."
Labor's shadow minister for the Central Coast David Harris said the $2 million re-announced by Ms Berejiklian for Central Coast Conservatorium had first been promised by former Liberal Premier Mike Baird for the 2015 election.
"It's a bit rich for the Premier to visit the Central Coast and re-announce money promised over five years ago," Mr Harris said.
"The Central Coast needs a Premier who is committing new money for the Central Coast for the backlog of road projects and other infrastructure, not making re-announcements of five-year promises and pretending they are new."
The funding announcement was warmly welcomed by the Central Coast Conservatorium.
Conservatorium board president Peter Brandon said the funding would make a "huge difference" to the capacity of the organisation to provide high quality music education to its many students.
"It's certainly a wonderful day for the conservatorium; our board, staff, teachers, students and broader performing arts community," Mr Brandon said.
"Let's just say the announcement was music to our ears!"
Mr Brandon said the conservatorium currently operated out of the oldest heritage-listed building on the Central Coast, a collection of demountables, and a host of halls, rooms and venues across the Coast - anywhere it can find for its ensembles and bands to practice and perform.
He said the funding injection would allow the conservatorium to transform its workplace through sensitive refurbishment, upgrades to bathrooms, the kitchen, teaching and rehearsal spaces, and the addition of a new piano and furniture, including seating in the Robert Knox Hall.
In addition to the renovations and new equipment, the grant would also enable master planning for long-term future capital works, Mr Brandon said.
"We have a big vision for performing arts on the Central Coast - a combined conservatorium and small acoustic concert hall that will become a vibrant educational and cultural hub for our region."
