WARD ASKS MINNS: WHERE ARE YOUR PROMISED PROJECTS?

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has used a visit by the NSW Cabinet to the region to ask the Minns Government when it will deliver on its promised election commitments.

Mr Ward said that based on current budget documents, none of Labor’s promised election commitments will be complete this term with some others not even commencing this term. 

Labor’s election promises included: 

1. The East Nowra Sub-Arterial. 
2. Access ramps off the M1 at Dapto.
3. A new public primary school for Worrigee.
4. Maternity services and an MRI for Milton Hospital. 
5. Maternity services for Shellharbour Hospital. 
6. Further upgrades to the Princes Highway south of the Jervis Bay Road interchange including the Milton-Ulladulla Bypass. 

“Whilst I always welcome Ministers coming to our region, it’s hard to take their listening tour seriously when Labor’s election commitments won’t be completed this term,” Mr Ward said. 

“Labor promised to keep the Regional Seniors Travel Card, the Active Kids Rebate, the Creative Kids Rebate and First Lap Voucher, but all these programs have been axed entirely or scaled back amidst a cost-of-living crisis. 

“Labor have also cut vital improvements to public transport services such as the Toolijooa Passing Loop project which would have doubled the capacity on the South Coast Line and our region will be the last to receive the New Intercity Fleet train carriages.

“With NSW Labor pushing a big growth agenda, it’s important that growth comes with infrastructure. I look forward to hearing how this cabinet visit will update us on election promises made and when these projects will be delivered. 

“Under Labor, parts of our region are no longer eligible for defibrillators as certain postcodes have been deemed ‘too wealthy’. 

“NSW Labor has also said nothing about the Nowra Bypass which has received considerable planning money but no ‘doing money’. 

“I also hope that this cabinet visit will respond to community concerns in Kangaroo Valley and throughout the Shoalhaven on the dropping of the load limit on the Hampden Bridge. 

“Whilst I welcome the focus on the region, results are what count,” Mr Ward concluded.