The NSW Opposition has criticised the Minns and Albanese Labor Governments for taking credit for the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace whilst continuing to delay construction of the New England Highway bypass of Muswellbrook.
NSW Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the $2.1 billion M1 project was planned and funded by the previous Coalition Governments and has been in the works for some time.
“The NSW Coalition secured federal funding for this project in 2021, before announcing the successful contractors for the design and build the following year, so the fact that Labor is trying to make out that this is their work is absolutely appalling,” Mr Farraway said.
“The extension will transform travel in the Hunter region by moving 25,000 vehicles away from key congestion areas, allowing motorists to shave valuable time off their journey.
“It will also be a game changer for the transport industry, supporting freight that services the mining sector in the Hunter Valley, as well as the Port of Newcastle and interstate.
“The fact is that the NSW Coalition pushed for this visionary project to become a reality, we did the planning, and we got the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government to put their funding on the table and Labor had nothing to do with it.
“Labor is happy to take credit for our projects, while at the same time ripping funding out of future vital infrastructure projects.”
Member for the Upper Hunter Dave Layzell said it was great to see Labor continuing the Coalition’s work on the M1 but called for clarity around the Muswellbrook bypass.
“I have been calling on the Federal Minister for Infrastructure to end the delays for months now and fund construction of the Muswellbrook Bypass,” Mr Layzell said.
“Originally we were told to wait for the federal government’s infrastructure review.. but that review has come and gone and we still don’t have any details around when the funding will come through so the design and construction phase can begin.
“This vital project was being discussed since before the 1996 election – but here we are in 2024 and Muswellbrook is still waiting. Enough is enough, the wait needs to end now.”
PICTURE CAPTION: Then NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Sam Farraway and Dave Layzell with Fenech Demolition staff at the launch of the early work contract for the Muswellbrook Bypass in February 2023.
