The Albanese Government continues to invest in critical road safety upgrades across the Shoalhaven, with a major boost in funding through the 2024-25 Budget.
The Federal Government is delivering an additional $21.5 million to support the final stages of the Nowra Bridge project, including footpaths, landscaping, and site remediation.
The $353 million project is jointly funded by the Australia and NSW governments, and has provided a new four lane bridge over the Shoalhaven River, upgraded intersections and additional lanes on the Princes Highway.
An additional $2.4 million will be delivered to the Far North Collector Road Network project, which is fully funded by the Albanese Government.
Works, which are on track for completion in mid-2024, include constructing Far North Collector Road, a new link road between Far North Collector Road and Taylors Lane, a cattle-crossing underpass, four new bridges, three roundabouts, lighting and off-road paths.
On top of this, Shoalhaven City Council will receive a major boost in Roads to Recovery funding, with over $18.8 million over the five-year funding period through to 2028–29, as part of the program’s progressive funding increase from $500 million to $1 billion per year.
Federal Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Kristy McBain visited the Shoalhaven on Monday May 20 and said the Albanese Labor Government understood the importance of upgrading ageing road networks across regional Australia to "ensure they’re fit-for-purpose, which is why we’re significantly increasing Roads to Recovery funding".
“Good road networks unlock economic opportunities in our regions, they make it easier for locals and tourists to get around, and they keep our freight vehicles moving efficiently," she said.
“The Shoalhaven is a beautiful, fast-growing part of the world, which is why we continue to partner with the Minns Government and Shoalhaven City Council to progress high-priority local projects.”
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister, Catherine King said the new Nowra Bridge was already resulting in reduced congestion, shorter travel times and improved safety benefits, which will keep motorists and pedestrians moving between Nowra and Bomaderry.
“We have stepped up to ensure final delivery of this critical piece of South Coast infrastructure, which will benefit the Shoalhaven and beyond for decades to come,” she said.
Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said the Federal Government continues to deliver the road safety projects Gilmore locals want to see.
"This additional funding in the 2024-25 Budget is fantastic news," Mrs Phillips said.
“The new bridge is reducing traffic congestion in the Nowra area, with the Far North Collector Road upgrades to ensure that as our region grows, our roads are ready for increased demand.”
NSW Member for the South Coast, Liza Butler said the state would continue to partner with the Albanese Government to progress projects that will have lasting benefits across the South Coast.
“From easing pressures on Illaroo Road, improving freight access across the Shoalhaven River by removing over-size and over-mass restrictions, and allowing for better pedestrian and cycle access, the new Nowra Bridge will have huge benefits for the South Coast,” she added.
Shoalhaven Deputy Mayor, Matthew Norris joined the MPs for a tour of the Far North Collector Road site, and said the federal funding would ensure council could "continue to progress local priority projects across the Shoalhaven".
“Our local roads are getting busier than ever, and the Shoalhaven is fast-growing, which is why we’ll continue to partner with the Australian and NSW governments to plan for a better future,” he said.
Over $3.1 billion is being invested towards vital land transport infrastructure in NSW in the recent Federal Budget.
This includes more than $2.5 billion for new road and rail projects, as well as nearly $580 million to ensure the delivery of existing projects.
The Government’s total infrastructure commitment to NSW over the next 10 years is $20.8 billion, including over $17.7 billion in major road and rail projects and $3 billion for smaller projects through programs such as the Roads to Recovery and Black Spot programs.
For more information, visit: https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/about/budget-2024-25-announcements
