BY DAKOTA TAIT
Federal Labor says it will deliver a $40 million project to upgrade Mandalong Road between Morisset and the M1, if it wins Government in the upcoming Federal Election.
$10 million of that fund has also been committed by Lake Macquarie City Council.
According to Council modelling, the investment would create 6,500 new jobs and 4,500 new homes, as well as generate $1.2 billion in capital investment over the next two to five years.
Labor Candidate for Hunter Daniel Repacholi says it could go a long way toward addressing housing supply issues across the region.
"This is huge. It opens up such a big amount of economic growth for that region," Mr Repacholi said.
"It brings in better infrastructure, that will then bring in better housing, more and more housing, more business to the area as well, and also, it opens up the whole western side of Lake Macquarie for future development."
The money would fund a dual carriageway between new roundabouts at the Gateway Boulevard and Wyee Road intersections.
It's hoped the project could transform Morisset into one of the Hunter's key locations for economic development.
Mr Repacholi says the project is long overdue.
"Over the past decade, the State and Federal Liberal-National Governments have neglected this project, and its been put on the backburner for too long, or put in the too hard basket," Mr Repacholi said.
"We've listened to what everyone around the area wants, and they want this road fixed so that they can continue to grow the area."
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| Image credit: Lake Macquarie City Council. |
