The State Opposition have today called out the Berejiklian Government accusing it of failing to support the Hunter region in the State Budget.
Among the projects, the opposition says we've been failed on are the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange, the new Maitland Hospital and the Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project. Labor says the projects were either explicitly excluded from the budget or received only token funding.
To make up for it, Labor have promised long-awaited Hunter projects like these, will be fully funded from a Regional Infrastructure Fund if Labor wins government in 2019. Labor Leader Luke Foley says the funds would come from the sale of the Snowy Hydro Scheme putting 100 per cent of the $4-5 billion sale to regional NSW.
"100 per cent of those funds will go to regional NSW, regional cities like here in the Newcastle area and the broader Hunter region. That means places like the Illawarra, the Hunter, the Central Coast, will be separated from the CBD and Sydney and we will be able to have our own regional funds," said Shadow Treasurer Ryan Park.
He adds,
"I've got to be honest with you, I'm a bit sick of hearing about it because I think it should've been resolved a long time ago. I think governments of all persuasions have let the community down and what I want to make sure we do going forward as the shadow treasurer is getting this issue off the table, get this issue sorted, and get this issue delivered for out community."
 |
| Shadow Treasurer Ryan Park Image lithgowmercury.com.au |
