THE expansion of the mental health unit at the Port Macquarie Base Hospital has been secured with $10.6 million allocated in the 2017 state budget.
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The investment in Port Macquarie’s inpatient mental health unit will enhance services, particularly for older people and young adults, Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said.
A major upgrade to Lake Cathie Public School was also welcome news. The funding will target new classrooms will meet the increasing student enrolments in one of the fastest growing areas in the Port Macquarie electorate.
Further upgrades to the Pacific Highway were not overlooked either with funding allocated to the difficult stretch between the Oxley Highway and Kundabung.
“Over $100 million has been allocated for the completion of the Pacific Highway upgrade from the Oxley Highway to Kundabung,” Mrs Williams confirmed.
“While we have prioritised the completion of the duplication of the Pacific Highway by 2020, we have not sat on our laurels when it comes to other much needed services and infrastructure.”
Additional roads funding includes $2,320,000 for pavement repair on the Pacific Highway, south of Kew; $2,113,000 for routine maintenance work on state roads including management and inspection services and minor pavement repairs and $1,115,000 for specific maintenance and minor improvement work on state roads including patching and resurfacing, road widening and realignment, intersection upgrades and passing lanes.
A significant contribution of $100,000 has been allocated for design improvements for the notoriously busy intersection of the Oxley Highway and Lake Road in Port Macquarie.
A grant of $832,000 to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Lord Howe Island Board and Sailability NSW Inc (Port Macquarie) to upgrade recreational boating infrastructure facilities under the NSW Boating Now program is also a significant investment.
The popular community backed projects in the Camden Haven – Schools to Schools and Beach to Beach have secured more funding through this budget including an elevated boardwalk at Dunbogan as part of the $62 million Cycling and Walking Program.
Funding has also been committed to continue investigations for a new orbital road from Ocean Drive to Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie.
Other local funding commitments include;
- $2.3 million to fund the Telegraph Point Sewerage Scheme
- Over $2.7 million for new and upgraded social housing
- $900,000 for Aboriginal housing
“Since I was elected in 2011, hundreds of millions of dollars have been directed to the Port Macquarie electorate and this year’s budget reflects ongoing investment for the benefit of everyone in our local community,” Mrs Williams said.
