Anthony Albanese pledges $5m for Nowra Riverfront revitalisation project
Millions will be pumped into a South Coast town’s major riverfront revitalisation project, Anthony Albanese has revealed. However, the pledge comes with a pre-election pounce.
NSW
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced plans to pump millions into a major infrastructure project in the tightly contested battleground electorate of Gilmore, in a bid to win the seat ahead of the upcoming federal election.
The Nowra Riverfront Activation is a major project in the popular coastal tourist hotspot, with plans to completely transform the area outside the CBD into a sprawling residential, commercial and social hub.
Plans currently on public exhibition through the Shoalhaven Council showcase new buildings, boardwalks, parks, jetties and recreation spaces.
On Tuesday, Mr Albanese visited the town of 22,000 residents to announce $5m in funding towards the mammoth project.
The Prime Minister met with Labor member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, at the project site to make the announcement.
“This project will transform Nowra and create a space that can be enjoyed by the local community and tourists for years to come,” Mr Albanese said.
Ms Phillips said the funding would help bring the project alive, with plans first put to the community in 2018.
“To say I’m thrilled with this funding announcement today is an understatement,” she said.
“It is a pivotal piece in the puzzle of the always-longed-for revitalised riverfront.”
The funds pledged on Tuesday are set to bankroll detailed designs for the central open space, drainage, an access road and a business case.
However, the visit was more than just a funding announcement for Mr Albanese, with Gilmore being labelled a battleground electorate by political pundits, with some saying it holds the key to the top gig.
Ms Phillips won the seat of more than 50,000 registered voters in 2022 by a mere 372 votes, beating Liberal candidate and former NSW Transport minister, Andrew Constance.
Mr Constance plans to run again in this year’s election.
The Prime Minister’s visit also comes just hours after Mr Constance visited the region with NSW Shadow minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward, slamming the government on their “slow” progress of the “much-needed” Ulladulla Bypass.
Mr Constance and Ms Ward said the project had been “stalled and delayed” by the current government.
“Residents of the southern Shoalhaven have waited long enough for their bypass and it is clear Labor cannot be trusted to deliver this project,” Ms Ward said.
Mr Constance said almost $1 billion had been committed to the project.
“I know what it takes to deliver major infrastructure projects; I have a track-record delivering major upgrades to the Princes Highway,” he said.
Despite the political dogfight in the coastal battleground electorate, Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White said she was thankful the government was injecting such a large amount into the mega riverfront project.
“This funding will allow us to complete planning investigations and finalise the masterplan designs for the flagship riverfront park, and conduct further community consultation and a business case to facilitate investment in this foreshore precinct,” she said.
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