BY DAKOTA TAIT
Federal Labor says it will invest $20 million into Lake Macquarie to establish a permanent dredge for the Swansea Channel, as well as extend the Newcastle Mines Grouting Fund to cover the City of Lake Macquarie.
The Opposition's already announced, as part of its economic development package, a $30 million upgrade of Mandalong Road at Morisset, support for the Glendale Transport Interchange, and $500 for a Newcastle to Sydney high-speed rail project.
Shortland MP Pat Conroy says it's about time we see serious investment in the region.
"We've been neglected by the current Liberal Government, whether it's the Federal Liberal Government or the State Liberal Government," Mr Conroy said.
"They've neglected our region, a region that is the second-biggest in New South Wales, when you include the Hunter Region.
"We've got 700,000 people in our area, and we're treated like the poor cousins of Sydney, when we shouldn't be, we're the seventh-biggest city in the country."
It's hoped the expansion of the mine grouting fund will encourage property developers to build more and taller buildings in the region, by circumventing the risk of having to fork out extra costs if they encounter subsidence.
The permanent dredge is similarly being put forward as a boost for tourism and travel in the lake.
Mr Conroy says the plan will spur around $1.8 billion in economic benefits.
"This package will help deliver over 12,000 jobs, and really help secure the economic future of our region," Mr Conroy said.
"It's important that that occurs - we're sick of just having all our resources taken by the State and Federal Liberal Governments.
"They take our resources, they take our taxes, they took our vaccines, and they give very little in return."
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Image credit: shape.lakemac.com.au
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