Illawarra infrastructure projects have been snubbed by the new national body charged with finding the nation's top investment priorities.
Infrastructure Australia has identified its favoured projects for funding but there is no mention of Picton Rd, Port Kembla or the Princes Hwy.
A report released last night revealed the body had received 600 private and public submissions last year.
After the Budget, Kevin Rudd is glad he still has hair Federal Budget 2009: The winners and losers UOW's Innovation Campus gets fundingIn December it whittled down the list to 94 projects, which included those in the Illawarra.
Now, nine projects are set to receive immediate funding and 28 "pipeline projects" which could be considered for funding after further study, have been identified. But no Illawarra projects make the cut.
Of all projects mentioned, 12 port and freight locations are highlighted as possible "gateway" projects.
The report acknowledges a submission was received for the expansion of Port Kembla, but it was overlooked on the list.
The Illawarra's other top infrastructure priority, completion of the Maldon-Dombarton rail link, is still the subject of a pre-feasibility study and was therefore not included.
But it could be a beneficiary of the new National Freight Network Strategy which is to be developed.
Illawarra Business Chamber president Les Dion said the region had been left out in the cold by the budget.
"I'm very, very disappointed," he said.
"I thought we had some good opportunities coming here with the Government looking to spend big on infrastructure.
"We have nothing to take us beyond the global financial crisis and into the future.
"Nothing to re-position ourselves for employers, to see this region as a region of opportunity."
South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris said the budget took the right direction on infrastructure spending, unfortunately the Illawarra was left behind.
"We are mindful the Maldon-Dombarton project may well be announced shortly and we certainly call on the Government to fast track its consideration of this project," he said.
The Government will also split $293 million between councils in NSW and the ACT for road upgrades.
Areas along the Hume Hwy will benefit from a $12 billion spend to upgrade the key freight route.
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