Central Coast Council has welcomed the significant investment in the local road network in the NSW State Government’s budget to improve community connectedness and well-being.

The Baird Government delivered a $125 million roads funding windfall with a number of number of notable inclusions to benefit Central Coast residents including:

• $25 million for the Wyong Road Intersection upgrade
• $20 million for Ourimbah Street, Lisarow to Glen Road, Ourimbah
• $12 million for the upgrade of Mingara Drive to Tumbi Road
• $1.5 million to continue planning the upgrade of the intersection of Empire Bay Drive and Scenic Road and Cochrane Street, Kincumber
• $500,000 to plan a future upgrade to Terrigal Drive between Chetwynd Road and Duffy’s Road
• $400,000 design of traffic lights on Terrigal Drive and Tarragal Glen Avenue, Erina ( current roundabout at Erina Fair/McDonalds), to improve local connections and support active transport
• $500,000 drainage upgrade on Central Coast Highway at Wamberal

Council’s Administrator Mr Ian Reynolds said council was pleased with this important cash injection into the Coast’s road network, confirming the region’s significance in the eyes of the State Government.

“The number one issue raised with me since I came here as Administrator is roads – our community want better roads to connect their homes and jobs and improve their access to the great recreational opportunities the Coast offers" Mr Reynolds said.

“Council plans to deliver over $120 million in roads projects next financial year and it is heartening to see the State Government is willing to match this spend to deliver better roads for our community.

“The investment in Wyong Road will be particularly welcome as local residents and workers will know only too well.”

Administrator Reynolds confirmed the commitment of $133 million to continue the $348 million redevelopment of Gosford Hospital is particularly welcome news as improved health services were needed to meet the needs of the region’s growing population.

“I understand this investment is the single biggest investment in the budget for any hospital in the State,” Mr Reynolds said.

“This clearly shows how important our growing region is to the State Government and highlights the value to the community of the recent merger.

“331,000 residents can now demand services with one voice and the State Government is listening.

“An equal commitment to the redevelopment of Wyong Hospital is also needed and council will continue to push for this infrastructure to meet the growing needs of the community in the north of the Coast.”