Labor underpass promises 'unrealistic', say Libs

The Labor Party's promises for the Gosford electorate, which include building the railway underpass, were unrealistic and poorly thought-out, according to Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Mr Scot MacDonald.

Mr MacDonald said Labor's Gosford Action Plan announced on March 27 was "light on specifics" and "had all the hallmarks of being scribbled on the back of a beer coaster as NSW Opposition Leader Mr Luke Foley raced up the M1".

"Luke's calculations probably have a black hole of at least $50 million given the Woy Woy underpass has preliminary estimates starting at $85 million and doesn't have committed backing from Central Coast Council," Mr MacDonald said.

He claimed Liberal candidate Ms Jilly Pilon had realistic goals and put the community first.

"Jilly has the backing of the NSW Government for her $23 million roads package and will continue to support organisations like the Broken Bay Scouts Group with her recent support for a $5000 grant to repair a vandalism attack," he said.

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast Mr David Harris said Mr MacDonald was playing political football with the needs of the electorate.

"Even the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has criticised the Liberals for a lack of commitment to the area," Mr Harris said.

"It was mismanagement from Mr MacDonald and the Liberal Government that left the underpass unfunded," he said.

"I am proud of Labor's commitment to funding the underpass and the Government should stop using the funding of our infrastructure as a political football."

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales said the Peninsula community was looking to both major party candidates to commit to the completion of the Woy Woy Underpass.

"With over $6 million already spent on the pedestrian underpass and $10 million on the pre-works at the base of Bulls Hill, it would extremely disappointing to see that money wasted by mothballing the project.

"At the moment, the remaining $35 million committed to the project is in limbo.

"If the Government is not going to complete the project, then it should ensure that the remaining funds are spent on other Peninsula road projects and not dumped back into consolidated revenue.

"The new Central Coast Council will never get on top of the infrastructure backlog without the State Government's financial support so here is a golden opportunity for both major parties to back the Peninsula."

SOURCES:

Media release, 28 Mar 2017

Kit Hale, Office of Scot MacDonald

Media statement, 28 Mar 2017

Peter Duggan, Office of David Harris

Media release, 28 Mar 2017

Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Reporter: Tynan King