Regional NSW stands to be the big winner in the NSW budget next week, Dubbo MP Troy Grant has said.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Grant said he expected money for road projects around Dubbo and the wider electorate, much like the funding he announced for the Boundary Road extension on Wednesday.
He also expected money to begin working on trouble roundabouts on Cobra and Fitzroy streets and Whylandra and Victoria streets.
“Some of those projects I’m keen on for my local area is key road projects, Boundary Road is one of those that needs state government funding to to really help with traffic and ease congestion,” he said.
“It will complement the work we are doing with the bridge and we’ve heard long and loud about the work needed at intersections, the roundabout that is causing congestion so money into that project will be important.”
Mr Grant said he understood there was community concern about congestion at the intersections but said Roads and Maritime Services had looked thoroughly at the situation and come up with the best outcome.
“With the announcement of the duplication of the LH Ford Bridge there was lots of community comment, particularly on social media and the number one comment I got was the perception that was originally out there that the extra two lanes on LH Ford Bridge would ease congestion,” he said.
“What was found in the study was the perverse outcome where the pinch points at the roundabout on Whylandra Street, as well as Fitzroy Street, would add to the congestion. What we are doing is changing the roundabout to traffic lights which gives a much better flow.”
Mr Grant said while in 2016, spending in regional areas fell well below a target of 30 per cent of the Restart NSW fund, there were more projects ready to go and he expected the target would be met or even exceeded.
One of the major projects in the region would be funding for Mudgee Hospital’s redevelopment, Mr Grant said, along with continued funding for stages three and four of the Dubbo Hospital redevelopment.