NSW Labor has unveiled in unprecedented investment package for the Illawarra which builds on its strengths and invests in its future during this election campaign.
The NSW Liberals said they wanted this election campaign to be a ‘bidding war’ on projects that the region needs.
Yet the Berejiklian Government - much like its last eight years in office - has been missing in action.
NSW Labor has a plan to upgrade infrastructure on the South Coast, Illawarra and Airport Lines to improve services, make journey times quicker and more reliable to get thousands of commuters to work and back home every day.
We prioritise investing in public transport rather than slugging motorists with toll roads.
We have also outlined a suite of initiatives in the fully costed $225 million Illawarra Jobs Action Plan. This plan includes:
- Building the Unanderra Station lifts
- Progressing the construction of the Maldon-Dombarton rail link
- Upgrading Wollongong Entertainment Centre
- Upgrading the Appin Road
- Upgrading Mt Keira Summit Park
- Investing in innovation by building an iMake Maker Space at the Innovation Campus and
- Building a new interchange at Springhill and Masters Road.
The Illawarra Jobs Action Plan will bring nearly 200 jobs to Wollongong by relocating Liquor and Gaming NSW from Sydney CBD.
Bringing more pay packets to Wollongong means up to another $16 million added to the local economy and new local job opportunities for local workers in the public sector.
NSW Labor will invest in restoring TAFE by guaranteeing funding and free courses for skill shortage areas as well as cracking down on dodgy private providers.
We will criminalise wages theft, give ‘gig’ workers a fair go and protect young workers.
We will build a new school precinct at West Dapto with pre-school and after-school hours care in full consultation with the community in one of the fastest growing areas of the region as we also clear the maintenance backlog in our local schools.
NSW Labor will upgrade local health services by investing in the maternity unit and children’s ward at Wollongong Hospital while delivering better nurse-to-patient ratios and adding security staff to protect our doctors, nurses, patients and carers.
We will complete the redevelopment of Shellharbour Hospital and Bulli Hospital, and invest $1 million in eating disorder treatment services so young people don’t have to travel to Sydney or Newcastle for treatment.
In addition, NSW Labor has announced an independent comprehensive review of health care in the Illawarra to identify areas in need of additional resources.
NSW Labor will protect our environment and tackle climate change by investing in solar power for our schools, homes and government-owned buildings, including boosting the Green Jobs Illawarra campaign.
NSW Labor will complete the Albion Park Rail Bypass and invest in further upgrades to the Princes Highway on the South Coast for safer local roads.
Importantly, we will continue to support the local steel industry at Port Kembla by requiring the use of local content in all infrastructure projects funded by the NSW Government. Every new school, hospital, bridge and road project funded by a Daley Labor Government will use quality steel produced at Port Kembla.
NSW Labor will also make sure Wollongong is never again locked out of opportunities for government funded programs by developing a consistent definition of the region, including for sporting groups.
In addition, the Illawarra’s voice will never again be missing from the decision-making processes of government, especially in the Cabinet Room, as a Minister for the Illawarra will be restored.
In contrast, Liberal candidates in the electorates of Wollongong, Keira and Shellharbour – led by Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast, Gareth Ward MP – have been silent during this entire election campaign.
Apart from finally nearly matching NSW Labor’s funding commitment on Unanderra Station lifts, the NSW Liberals have simply ignored the communities of Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas.
This election campaign has confirmed that if re-elected, the Berejiklian Government will continue to ignore the main population centres of the Illawarra as they have done for the last eight years.
Only NSW Labor has faith in the Illawarra region and will back it in.
On Saturday, 23 March 2019, only a Daley Labor Government will build on our strengths and invest in our future.
