Two South Coast MPs are pushing for the federal government to start spending money on the Princes Highway on the South Coast.
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Kiama MP Gareth Ward and South Coast MP Shelley Hancock want the federal government to commit to an 80/20 funding split – which is on par with Princes Highway upgrades north of Sydney.
“The people of the North Coast have enjoyed major upgrades to their highway network with 80 per cent of those projects funded by the Commonwealth and 20 per cent funded by the NSW state government,” Mr Ward said.
“I think our local community deserves the same deal – a fair deal.”
Mr Ward has created a petition pushing for the funding split and will put forward a motion in parliament calling on the federal government to commit to an 80/20 split for future Princes Highway upgrades.
The Princes Highway upgrade through Gerringong and the Foxground and Berry Bypass have both been paid for by the NSW government
The state government has already announced funding for the Berry to Bomaderry highway upgrade, but Mr Ward said money could be reallocated if Canberra opted to provide funds.
“Total investment into our Princes Highway committed by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government since 2011 equates to more than $1.6 billion,” Mr Ward said.
“Now it is time for Canberra to deliver a fair funding deal for our Princes Highway upgrades.”
Ms Hancock said the federal response to calls to fund the Shoalhaven River crossing were“disappointing”.
“The NSW government has taken all appropriate courses of action to secure federal funding,” Mrs Hancock said.
“We have undertaken the necessary studies, made representations to the Prime Minister and appropriate ministers and submitted a funding request to Infrastructure Australia to ensure we can get on with this project as soon as practical.”
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester was contacted for comment.