The Premier has been unable to point to a single infrastructure project in the Wollongong local government area that has been funded from the $20 billion proceeds from the sell-off of New South Wales’ poles and wires.

Wollongong MP, Paul Scully, asked the Premier a question on notice on 10 August 2017 whether the Government had invested any of the electricity proceeds in the Wollongong local government area, and if so, to list the projects and their investment value.

The Premier responded to Mr Scully’s question on 14 September 2017 and could not list a single project funded by the Government from the electricity proceeds.

The Premier said instead:

Our $20 billion Rebuilding NSW program will invest in world-class infrastructure across New South Wales, including Wollongong.

Wollongong local government area has, in fact, been defined as part of metropolitan Sydney – along with Newcastle – and has been deemed ineligible for organisations to bid for funds which have been set aside for regional areas of New South Wales.

Comments attributable to Paul Scully MP:

“It is extraordinary that the Premier has been unable to point to a single infrastructure project in the Wollongong local government area that has been funded from the $20 billion sell-off of our poles and wires.

“The only thing the long-suffering residents of Wollongong are forced to put up with is an increase in our power bills.

“We’ve been lumped into Sydney as a metropolitan area and deemed ineligible for any funding opportunities for any program which has been set aside for regional areas.

“The Wollongong local government area has received no share of the $20 billion resulting from the sell-off of our power.

“I have a range of projects in the Illawarra Jobs Action Plan that would support and generate local jobs if the Government is looking for some ideas.

“The Premier needs to explain why her Government continues to dud the people of Wollongong.”