Survey works are set to begin for the upgrade of Avoca Drive following the completion of the Federal Government’s Infrastructure Investment Program review, three months after Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch called for an explanation as to why the upgrade was included in the review.
Mr Crouch welcomed the recent announcement from Transport for NSW that survey works would continue but criticised the Federal Government for causing an unnecessary three-month delay and not providing an explanation as to why the project was included in the review.
“Avoca Drive is a major arterial road for our community, used by thousands of motorists every day and is in desperate need of an upgrade to ease congestion.”
“I was disappointed to learn that the upgrade was included as part of the Federal Government’s three-month long infrastructure review, causing unnecessary delay to this vital project.”
Mr Crouch said he wrote to the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and the Federal Member for Robertson in July urgently seeking an explanation as to why the upgrade was unnecessarily included in the review, expressing concerns about the impact the delay would have on the delivery of the project.
“The response from the Federal Member for Robertson advised that the upgrade was not part of the review and there was nothing to worry about, even going so far to accuse me of scaremongering and lying to the community – sadly, his own Minister confirmed this was not the case.” said Mr Crouch.
Mr Crouch said that the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads confirmed in late October the road was included as part of the Federal Government’s review, and the release of the Infrastructure Investment Program Strategic Review by the Federal Minister for Infrastructure on November 16 reiterated this confirmation despite a conflicting claim from the Federal Member for Robertson.
“While it’s disappointing there was an obvious breakdown of communication between the Federal Member for Robertson, the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, I’m glad these long-awaited survey works will now begin.”
“The former Coalition government was rock solid in their $30 million commitment to this upgrade, and I am pleased that these funds are being put to use to start the survey works for Avoca Drive.”