Illawarra Roadworks

Mr MATT BROWN (Kiama) [3.29 p.m.]: I move:

That this House notes:

(1) that the $120 million Dunmore to Oak Flats section of the Princes Highway is now open to traffic;

(2) congratulates the Government on its commitment to jobs and infrastructure in the Illawarra; and

(3) calls on the Opposition to join with the Government and confirm its commitment to the Illawarra.

The upgraded section of the Princes Highway between Oak Flats and Dunmore was successfully opened to traffic on 21 October 2009. It was a very exciting day, and motorists responded with pleasure to be driving on this new section of road. This $120 million project was fully funded by the Government. The road was opened on time, despite more than 100 days of wet weather in the first 400 days, and delivered under budget. The upgrade is fantastic. I recently had the pleasure, alongside my colleagues the Minister for Transport and the member for Shellharbour, of attending a community day to thank local residents for their patience while the work was carried out, and to give the local community a good look at the project. The project involves 500 metres of road that links the Oak Flats interchange to the north Kiama bypass. It completes the final link to provide a high-standard, four-lane highway between Sydney and south of Kiama.

In September this year traffic was switched onto two new sections to improve traffic flow, and the whole project is almost finished, which is great news for everyone in the region. Roads and Traffic Authority crews have remained on site to carry out some small works that can only be finalised now that the road is open. Once fully complete the project will provide close to 30 lane kilometres of quality road. The Princes Highway between Oak Flats and Dunmore was constructed in the 1930s but could no longer support the traffic flows. Now that the new road is open I am confident that motorists travelling through the area will notice the vast improvements. My office has received a lot of positive feedback and I have noticed people are excited about this new section of road.

The upgrade will reduce congestion, especially during peak periods, school holidays, weekends and public holidays. The project will improve traffic flow for motorists commuting along that very important section of road, particularly between the Shoalhaven and the northern part of the Illawarra. Importantly, the new road also improves road safety by removing a narrow, winding road that had no overtaking opportunities, and will ensure flood-free access along Dunmore straight. Many people will remember that the terrible floods literally cut the road network at that point. As part of the project approximately two kilometres of Shellharbour Road has been upgraded to four lanes, providing improved access around the Shellharbour, Shell Cove and Flinders areas and to Wollongong.

The project included a $1.9 million upgrade of the existing Nungarry light vehicle rest area to a heavy vehicle rest area, which has been positively received by local truck operators. For example, Tony Emery has told me personally a number of times what a great improvement the upgrade is for all truck drivers who need a rest and a toilet stop. The Government is always investigating ways to improve safety on our road network. The on-road cycleway network has also been extended with new dedicated pedestrian and cyclist connections to the off-road cycleway through Dunmore. The Government recognises the importance of cycling. My son and I have ridden on those cycleways. Cycling is very much an affordable, flexible, healthy and environmentally friendly form of transport. It also provides a very good workout. This upgrade is another example of the Rees Government's long-term commitment to improving access, safety and travel times for people of the Illawarra and South Coast.

This project, the north Kiama bypass and the massive amounts being spent on roads between Wollongong and the Victorian border show just how committed the Government is to roads on the South Coast. For instance, a $90 million project on Main Road 92 is in its final stage of completion. I look forward to its opening next year. A new bridge over Conjola Creek was officially opened to traffic. This received overwhelming positive feedback from motorists. The $17 million Pambula Bridge provides a huge improvement to traffic and local infrastructure. The Labor Government has a very proud record of achievement in relation to roads. The record of those opposite is very different. When the Liberals were last in office all major roadworks were stopped in the Illawarra and it was not until the election of the Labor Government that these roadworks went forward.

Recently the Opposition, including the Leader of the Opposition, conducted a number of lunchtime seminars in the Illawarra. Despite all the hoo-ha, press releases and advertising it was lucky if 40 people attended the last meeting. Most were staffers and Liberal Party branch members. There might have been five community representatives. This shows that the Illawarra does not take the Opposition seriously. Members of the Opposition whinge and whine, harp and carp, but they can see the excellent work done by our crews from the Roads and Traffic Authority and contractors with the hundreds and hundreds of million of dollars spent on roads. I urge the Opposition to back the Illawarra. Opposition members should not just have fleeting visits; they should share our vision. They should join with the Government and promote the Illawarra and the investment in our roads by this Government.

Mrs SHELLEY HANCOCK (South Coast) [3.36 p.m.]: I am pleased to contribute to this debate. The member for Kiama referred to the Dunmore to Oak Flats section of the Princes Highway. I absolutely join with him in saying that it is a brilliant piece of infrastructure and a great piece of engineering. I congratulate the contractors, the Roads and Traffic Authority, the planners and the engineers who have worked hard to ensure that it is a fantastic piece of infrastructure. Anybody who regularly uses that section of the highway, as the member for Kiama and I do, has known for a long time that it was a disincentive for tourists to travel down south and for locals to drive on. It was always congested, dangerous and difficult but now it is a fine piece of infrastructure. I look forward to the extra southbound lane being opened and the completion of the project, which will make a huge difference. When I travelled on the road last Saturday morning to go home it was an absolute delight. All the motorists who travel on it think it is excellent. But, of course—and there is always a "but"—I move the following amendment to the motion.

That the motion be amended by leaving out paragraphs (2) and (3) with a view to inserting instead the following new paragraphs:

(2) calls on the Government to urgently increase funding to the Princes Highway; and

(3) condemns the Government for its failure to deliver major infrastructure projects on time and on budget.

I will go through the history of some of the projects that have been delivered by the Government. The Dunmore to Oak Flats section of the Princes Highway is certainly on time but it is $16 million over budget. The Kiama bypass, in the electorate of the member for Kiama, is $38 million over budget. Why? It is because of the Government's inability to actually deliver those pieces of infrastructure on budget. It will mean that other vital upgrades for the Princes Highway are not delivered. The member for Kiama is aware that the projects to which I refer need urgent completion. The south Nowra Kinghorn Street south to Forest Road section is in urgent need of upgrading. The project is on the books and planning money has been set aside, but planning can go on and on for years without delivery of the project, which is shovel ready, so to speak. That road will be fairly easy to upgrade—no major deviations are required in either direction—and it could be completed quite quickly. I expect to see increased funding for that project in next year's budget.

This year's budget for the Princes Highway was disappointing. Last year $144 million was spent on the Princes Highway; this year the figure is down to about $79 million. Where has the money gone? It has gone to the Pacific Highway, to the Hume Highway and to other areas. Of course, those highways are in need, but the member for Kiama and members representing the Illawarra and further south have not stood up and asked where the money has gone, although the money is needed for work on the Princes Highway in their electorates. The NRMA indicated that a billion dollars must be spent on the Princes Highway to bring it up to acceptable standard. But what did we see? We saw a very half-hearted application to Infrastructure Australia. The Federal member for Cunningham said that she was very disappointed at the budget allocation for the Princes Highway. Whom did she blame? She blamed the New South Wales Government.

A Federal Labor member from the Illawarra blamed the New South Wales Labor Government for its poor application to Infrastructure Australia. The State Labor Government can no longer blame the Federal Government, as it continually has done whenever a debate was held on the Princes Highway. The former Federal Government allocated considerable money to the Princes Highway, especially for the north Kiama bypass. The member for Kiama failed to recognise that. He also failed to recognise the allocation for Main Road 92. It received considerable money from the former Federal Government and also from local government.

If the Coalition is elected to government in 2011 we will make it our policy to halve lead times for infrastructure projects. That is so important, because if they are extended year after year they become more expensive and less can be done with the available money. Sloppy planning by the Government has resulted in major delays and cost overruns. Having made those negative comments, I acknowledge that some wonderful projects are occurring in my electorate, including the Conjola Mountain deviation. That is a masterful piece of infrastructure and engineering, and I look forward to its completion. It will make a huge difference.

The member for Kiama has read his prepared speech, but he cannot afford to be complacent and think that that project and the north Kiama bypass will get him re-elected. That is not all it will take; it will take ongoing commitment and compassion. The Gerringong to Bomaderry Princes Highway upgrade is one project to which he has to commit his heart and soul and passion. That project has been around for 15 years, and the bypass has been on the books for 30 years. He said that the actual route has only just been decided upon. However, that project could have been broken down into minor projects. The Berry bypass could have commenced, and there is so much more that could be done. The member for Kiama should not move a motion in this House patting himself on the back and think he is fantastic for what he has achieved. He should ensure that the Princes Highway is given more attention, and he should stop the funding leakage to the Pacific Highway and the Hume Highway. That is his job. He should make sure that he continues to do it.

Ms LYLEA McMAHON (Shellharbour—Parliamentary Secretary) [3.43 p.m.]: It gives me great pleasure to support the motion. The people of my electorate and of the entire Illawarra region will benefit from this newly opened stretch of road. The $120 million fully State Government funded upgrade of the Princes Highway between Oak Flats and Dunmore opened to traffic last Wednesday. I, alongside the rest of the Illawarra community, am delighted with that. As my colleague the member for Kiama mentioned, that major project was opened on time and on budget, despite 100 days of wet weather in the first 400 days of work. The opening of that new road is proof of the Government's commitment to the Illawarra region.

The Rees Government should be congratulated on its commitment to jobs and infrastructure in the Illawarra. The $120 million upgrade of the Princes Highway between Oak Flats and Dunmore, at its peak, provided 120 jobs in the Illawarra. The member for South Coast congratulated the Rees Government on the delivery of that major infrastructure, and I thank her for that. I acknowledge the commitment of the Liberal Party to the Illawarra during its last term in government: it axed the Maldon to Dombarton rail line, closed Kiama hospital, dumped the upgrade of Wollongong Hospital and the construction of the cancer unit, leaving a big gaping hole in the ground. It also closed Tallawarra power station. That is the Liberal Party's record of delivery for the people of the Illawarra.

In stark contrast, the Labor Government's support for the people of the Illawarra is evidenced through the $120 million upgrade of the Princes Highway between Oak Flats and Dunmore. Furthermore, there has been investment in the upgrade of the roundabout at the intersection of the Princes Highway and the Illawarra Highway, providing a set of automated traffic lights and improving traffic flow through that area, which is in my electorate. There has also been investment in upgrading Shellharbour Road and removing a range of black spots, including moving power poles back from the road for safety reasons. Those are some of the initiatives in the electorate of Shellharbour. The cycleway between Shellharbour village and Lakes Entrance has been allocated $1 million. There will be five kilometres of continuous cycleway linking with the cycleway around the lake. People will be able to ride on cycleways from Dapto to Shellharbour village.

The Rees Labor Government is investing in education. The Shellharbour Trade School opened in February 2009—a full year ahead of schedule. Oak Flats High School received $3 million for its upgrade with a new administration block, new science laboratories, new amenities and a lift to provide access for disabled persons. Other high schools have received funding for science laboratories, including Kanahooka, Warilla and Lake Illawarra. Under the Principals Priority Building Program roof upgrades have been carried out at Dapto High School, Kanahooka High School, Warilla North High School and Barrack Heights Public School. In addition $17 million is to be invested in the construction of a new police station at Oak Flats, which will generate 400 jobs. The Dapto zone substation will undergo a $12 million upgrade. All those investments are in my electorate of Shellharbour.

Again, what happened when the Liberal Party was last in government? It axed the Maldon to Dombarton rail link, closed Kiama hospital, dumped the upgrade of Wollongong Hospital and closed Tallawarra power station. The Labor Government recently reopened that power station, generating 400 construction jobs in partnership with Truenergy. Whenever Coalition members visit the Illawarra they masquerade and pay lip-service. Their track record speaks for itself: they have no regard for the people of the Illawarra.

Mr ANDREW CONSTANCE (Bega) [3.48 p.m.]: It is ironic that the member for Kiama has moved a motion congratulating himself on jobs and infrastructure in the Illawarra, given that the Illawarra has one of the highest unemployment rates in the State. And we all know why. It is because the Labor Government has, over many years, taken the Illawarra for granted. It holds seats in that region by a margin of 20 per cent. As a result the people of the Illawarra get diddly-squat from the Government. Time and again over the years the member for Kiama has spoken about the Princes Highway. He has always said to members of the Liberal Party, "Pick up the phone to the Commonwealth. Go see the Commonwealth and get us funding for the Princes Highway".

Since Kevin Rudd came to office the member for Kiama has not mentioned Federal funding for the Princes Highway. He has not once mentioned that the Princes Highway should be a road of national importance, and he has done absolutely nothing to try to secure additional funding for major infrastructure projects along the highway route. The bottom line is that the extension from Gerringong to Bomaderry will have to be funded by the Commonwealth because the way the State Government has managed the State's finances has left absolutely nothing in the tin for vital projects along the route. As a result, as the member for Kiama knows full well, the Sharon Birds and Jenny Georges of this world are going to have to come up with the goods to save his political bacon, because the Government will not be able to get on with the job of funding what is without doubt one of the more important infrastructure projects along the Princes Highway.

Whilst the Government has dilly-dallied with some of these projects, including the one on which he has congratulated himself today, the member for Kiama has failed to note that costs have blown out and as a result additional funding has not been set aside for projects further south on the highway. Two years ago the State Coroner conducted an inquest into a number of key accidents along the Princes Highway and made some very strong recommendations for upgrades further down the highway to save lives. As a result of the State Government's ineptitude and its inability to manage key infrastructure projects funding has not been allocated to other projects further down the highway. Consequently, people have lost their lives. It is as simple as that.

Between 2000 and 2005 from Bomaderry to Gerringong there were nine fatalities and in the order of 165 accidents. The member for South Coast made an important point: the Government should have undertaken those much-needed infrastructure projects in stages so that we do not have the present situation of the projects potentially costing hundreds of millions of dollars. It comes back to good management. The member for Kiama knows that. It is disappointing that he felt the need to give himself a big pat on the back today by moving this motion when he knows full well that the projects should have been undertaken long ago. They should have been undertaken in the first term of the Carr Government rather than now, in what hopefully will be the last term of the Labor Government and an end to Labor's 16 years in office.

I reiterate that the project on which the member for Kiama is congratulating himself today was funded by the Howard Government. It made a commitment. The member for Kiama has tried time and again to perpetuate the myth that the Liberal Federal Government did not put funding into the Princes Highway. The reality is different. Since Rudd came to power the Federal Labor Party has not contributed a dollar to any improvement to the Princes Highway: no projects have started and no projects have been finalised. The member for Kiama knows full well that it is hypocritical for him to say that the Federal Government had a responsibility to provide funding for many years when over the past two years he has not mentioned Federal funding once or picked up the phone to any number of Federal Ministers. We have had and continue to have a State highway that is in an unacceptable condition. The member for Kiama knows that Federal funding will be necessary for the highway. I look forward to his having a change in attitude. In his speech in reply I hope he will mention Federal funding for the Princes Highway.

Mr MATT BROWN (Kiama) [3.53 p.m.], in reply: I acknowledge contributions to the debate by all members, particularly the positive words of my parliamentary colleagues the member for South Coast, Shelley Hancock, and the member for Shellharbour, Lylea McMahon. I was very pleased that the member for South Coast gave the road between Dunmore and Oak Flats, which is the matter we are discussing today, a big tick. The member for Bega asked why I did not acknowledge the Federal money in the project. I make it very clear that not one cent of Federal money has gone into the Dunmore to Oak Flats section of the road. They were his words. I do not think the member for Bega understands how this funding works. I agree with the member for South Coast, who said that she would be happy to see that southbound lane opened. I certainly will be because it is still creating a little traffic congestion. However, motorists can see that things are moving ahead extremely well. The member for South Coast then put her big "but" in the debate.

Mrs Shelley Hancock: Point of order: I ask the member to withdraw that remark. It is highly offensive. It is not that big!

Mr MATT BROWN: To the point of order: The member was going along positively and then she said "but".

Mrs Shelley Hancock: I ask the member to withdraw that comment.

Mr MATT BROWN: I am not withdrawing it because it is a part of my argument. I did not mean any offence but after a big "but" the debate became negative.

Mrs Shelley Hancock: Madam Deputy-Speaker, I ask you to rule on the point of order I have raised. I take offence at that comment.

Mr MATT BROWN: It is a one "t" but.

The DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Order! The member for Kiama has indicated he is not prepared to withdraw the word "but".

Mr Andrew Constance: Point of order—

The DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Order! I hope the member for Bega rises on a valid point of order.

Mr Andrew Constance: Madam Deputy-Speaker, based on your facial expressions you knew full well what the member for Kiama meant in that remark. Therefore, I ask you to direct the member for Kiama to withdraw that sexist remark.

Mr MATT BROWN: You are wasting time. If I offended the member for South Coast I apologise. It was not my intention. I was referring to the member for South Coast saying "but".

The DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Order! The member for Kiama has indicated that he was referring to the word "but". The member has the call.

Mr MATT BROWN: The Dunmore to Oak Flats section was not over budget as the member for South Coast said. To say, as the member for South Coast did, that the amount of money allocated for roads had been reduced is just misleading. Roads budgets go up and down depending on the amount of construction. If she does not want to see any money going to the Pacific Highway she should talk to her colleagues and ask them to stop lobbying so we can get more funding for the Princes Highway. Then the member for South Coast put forward her amendment, which I cannot accept because, as I have just said, the amount of funding goes up and down depending on the amount of construction underway.

The member for Shellharbour put forward a very good argument and spoke about infrastructure and the Liberal Party's failure to provide it in the Illawarra. She spoke about cycleways, investment, education and the wonderful new police station. The member for Bega again talked about things he does not understand. He asked me to refer to the Federal Government's contribution to the road when the Federal Government contributed nothing towards the project we are debating today. He also said there was no money for roads south of Kiama. That is not true; the Government is providing $16 million for maintenance of the highway from Sydney to the Victorian border over the coming financial year. This maintenance program is essential. I thank members for taking part in the debate. It is a very important issue and I am pleased that we got some positive comments from the member for South Coast. We will keep fighting for roads and infrastructure in the Illawarra.

Question—That the words stand—put.

The House divided.
Question resolved in the affirmative.

Amendment negatived.

Motion agreed to.