This year’s NSW State Budget plans to deliver a record $39.8 billion in funding for transport infrastructure and service delivery in 2022-23.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said of the investment:.
“We are focused on building back better so our communities can build their way forward. This commitment is highlighted by our $156.3 million commitment, matched by the Commonwealth Government, to strengthen long-term resilience and connections for regional communities with a priority on supporting those on the NSW North Coast.”
Regional road investment highlights from the 2022-23 NSW Budget includes:
• $100.8 million to continue upgrades along the Princes Highway, including construction on South Batemans Bay Link Road, and on the jointly funded new Nowra Bridge
Note that in June 2014, the NSW Government announced $10 million for the South Batemans Bay Link Road to improve traffic flow and support future growth in the region. Then in January 2019, the NSW Government announced funding of $30 million for Roads and Maritime to finalise planning and build the connection of the South Batemans Bay Link Road and the Princes Highway.
That being the case the budget amount for the Link Road must be small, possibly to cover the morning tea costs when it is finally opened.
• $52.5 million to continue the transformation of the Princes Highway from south of Nowra to the Victorian border, along with jointly funded planning and delivery to improve safety, travel times and freight efficiency of Jervis Bay Road Intersection, Jervis Bay to Sussex Inlet Upgrade and the Milton-Ulladulla Bypass.
Note: from this description we can come to expect next to nothing south of Burrill Lake.
• $38.4 million to continue construction of the Nelligen Bridge Replacement project on the Kings Highway over the Clyde River
NOTE: The NSW Government Roads, Maritime and Freight Minister Melinda Pavey and Bega MP and Infrastructure Minister Andrew Constance said in June 2017 that the government had set aside more than $300 million for the Nelligen and Bay bridge projects.
Again this must be an allocation for a budget over run.
The reality of the announcement appears that Eurobodalla and Bega will receive nothing in the way of any funding for any road improvement and that the funding identified in the budget is simply budget overrun adjustments to existing projects.
