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The NRMA is urging the state government to release more funds from the privatisation of Port Kembla port.
NRMA deputy president Michael Tynan said the government gained $7.4 billion from the long-term leases of Port Kembla and Botany ports, but the Illawarra only received $24 million in roads funding.
‘‘Local government has such massive backlogs of work, just normal maintenance work,’’ Mr Tynan said.
‘‘We all know they can’t produce the revenue from rates to make up the shortfall...the Illawarra is one of the forgotten areas. You’ve got so much road work that needs to be done.’’
Mr Tynan said there was an $180 million backlog in road maintenance in the Illawarra, as well as major works needed at Appin and Picton roads, Mount Ousley, the F6 freeway extension, and the Princes Highway at Albion Park Rail.
‘‘That’s still a disaster, there’s plenty of room for improvement, they [the Government] just need to come up with some dollars.’’
Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said the government had provided the Illawarra with a ‘‘pittance’’ from the port lease, and a ‘‘well-deserved whack’’ from the NRMA was long overdue.
“I only wish the NRMA had joined me and my other Labor Parliamentary colleagues two years ago when we all said the Illawarra was being dudded by the sale of our port,’’ said Ms Watson.
“We still have yet to see one of the 12 projects approved
for funding under the $100 million Illawarra Infrastructure Fund actually start.’’
The NRMA has launched its 2014 Seeing Red on Roads campaign, asking Illawarra motorists to vote for the roads they find most frustrating on an interactive map at mynrma.com.au/redflag.