Illawarra Labor MPs have criticised the Liberal government for it's 'lack of interest' in the region after the state budget was handed down on Tuesday.
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Keira MP and opposition treasurer Ryan Park said the budget failed the region's commuters.
However, Kiama MP and Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services not only defended the budget but praised treasurer Dominic Perrottet's budget for allocating $452 million to the Illawarra and Shoalhaven region in the next financial year.
"We have never seen more money allocated in the budget for our region," he said.
"I will need to attach a trailer to my car to bring all the money back with me.
"We are getting on with the job of what we said we were going to do.
"The fact there is a record spend on hospitals, roads and schools shows the Illawarra has done incredibly well about of this budget."
However, Mr Park said he wanted to see a "real commitment" to fund the Mt Ousley interchange which last year received funds for the design phase. He said the project was now in "limbo".
"The drip feeding of funds for this vital piece of infrastructure is an example of the lack of interest in this region," Mr Park said.
"Level crossings that are prominent on the South Coast Line will remain, with no commitment to remove any of them.
"At the same time, the daily squeeze on four carriage services will continue to be an issue as the government again refuses to recognise they are failing Illawarra commuters."
Also the Maldon Dombarton rail link did not receive any funding.
"I am seriously beginning to think that this government haven't even heard of Maldon Dombarton because once again they have chosen to ignore this important project," he said.
Mr Ward said Mr Park did not take the Mt Ousley interchange funding to the election and therefore it was "hypocritical" for him to demand it from the Liberal government.
Wollongong MP Paul Scully said the government had one job to deliver for Wollongong residents and that was to fund the lifts at Unanderra train station.
"It is rich for Transport for NSW to say it hasn't completed the plans for the lifts because I have seen the concept plans with my own eyes," he said.
Mr Scully said he was pleased the government had allocated funding for Wollongong Public School upgrades so it was not left "half finished". He was eager to see where the additional health professionals would be allocated as part of the government's commitment to bolster frontline services in teaching, health and police.
Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said she was disappointed because the budget papers confirmed Dapto and West Dapto would not receive a new school this financial year.
"This year's budget also failed to provide a start and completion date, the estimated total cost, or budget allocation for Dapto Public School upgrades," she said.
Illawarra Business Chamber's reaction to budget
The Illawarra Business Chamber has commended the state government budget but believes there is more to be done in the Illawarra.
Executive director Adam Zarth said the chamber welcomed the government's investment for the Princes Highway, Albion Park Rail Bypass and Berry to Bomaderry road upgrades.
Mr Zarth said the government's action on lifting the payroll tax threshold would enable the 1,869 small-to-medium sized businesses in the Illawarra to employ additional staff and save on average around $10,000 in administration associated with paying what is essentially a tax on jobs.
"The number of new projects announced in the budget across the state was minimal," he said. "This was certainly a first year budget of a four year term and the government sort to deliver on its election promises.
"They have done that in the context of a weakening economy, there is declining revenue for the state government in the form of stamp duty and GST and growth has slowed down so the government has been cautious.
"The government will deliver $93 billion across the state but that being said there are infrastructure projects that were still not addressed."
Mr Zarth said the chamber was committed to developing a business case for a South West Illawarra Rail Link.
"Without funding for infrastructure upgrades to the South Coast Line, or a commitment to investigate or conduct preliminary work on the South West Illawarra Rail Link , it is clear that we must convince state and federal governments to act on our looming freight capacity deadline that will arrive in 2030."
He said the chamber would also continue to lobby the government to investigate extend the F6 extension to Loftus, to upgrade Picton Road to a dual carriageway and deliver the Mt Ousley interchange.