State Budget Must Deliver For The Region

Ahead of the handing down of the NSW 2023-2024 State Budget, Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch has revealed a list of projects he will be advocating to be included in the upcoming Budget.

Mr Crouch said that the Budget will be a crucial test of the Minns Government’s commitment to the Central Coast.

“Under the previous Liberal-National Government, our region benefited from massive investment in our infrastructure, education and health.”

“Whether that be the half-a-billion-dollar redevelopment of Gosford and Wyong Hospitals, or massive investments in our road networks such as the development of the Kincumber and Ettalong roundabouts, the Liberal-National Government’s budgets always delivered for the people of the Central Coast.”

“On September 19, the Minns Government will face a crucial test with regards to their commitment to the Central Coast – there can be no cuts of any kind to our infrastructure projects, health and education.”

Mr Crouch said that there are numerous local projects and programs needing to be fully funded in the upcoming Budget, and that he had written to the Premier and Treasurer to advocate for these local projects and programs.

“What we need to see is a renewed commitment to funding programs such as Stronger Country Communities Fund and Community Building Partnership Fund, as well as fully funding vital programs like the Regional Seniors Travel Card and the Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card”

“Alongside these, Labor needs to fully fund all the election commitments in this upcoming budget, however, as we’ve recently seen with Gosford Hospital parking, this government is prepared to abandon it’s promises at the drop of a hat.”

A list of projects and programs Mr Crouch is advocating for can be found below:

• $30,000,000 for the upgrade of Avoca Drive at Kincumber
• $9,700,000 for the acquisition of a PET-CT Scanner for Central Coast Local Health District
• $1,200,000 for a road traffic study into the Wards Hill Road and Empire Bay Drive intersection
• $400,000 in funding for Community Building Partnerships for local community-based projects
• $800,000 for an upgrade of the Lintern Street Wharf at Davistown
• $100,000 for resurfacing of tennis courts at the Empire Bay Tennis Club
• $60,000 for the upgrade of Wamberal Memorial Hall’s Park
• $10,000 for upgrades to Macmasters, Avoca, North Avoca and Wamberal Boardrider Clubs
• Continued funding for the construction and delivery of the Kincumber Ambulance Station as part of the former Liberal National Government’s record investment into regional health
• Funding for installation of additional air conditioning units at Terrigal High School
• Funding for the extension of the Regional Seniors Travel Card for Central Coast Seniors
• Funding for the extension of the Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card
• Funding to be allocated to Crown Lands for the rebuilding of the Empire Bay Boatshed
• New recurrent funding for the Breast Care Nurses Program for three additional breast care nurses on the Central Coast
• Funding for the continuation of works on the Central Coast Highway Upgrade as part of the $387 million investment under the former Liberal-National government
• Funding for the redevelopment of the Macmasters Beach Rural Fire Service Station
• Funding for the continuation of the Regional Job Creation Fund to support local jobs and business expansion
• Funding for the continuation of the Stronger Country Communities Program
• Funding for the development of a brand-new state of the art TAFE at Gosford