Traffic ‘pinch points’ focus of $1bn congestion-busting fund

NSW will share in a $1 billion congestion-busting fund to target roads in clogged areas and help people get to work quicker. Find out how it affects you.

Commuter NIkki Khayat: “Anything that makes it faster would be good news.” Picture: Dylan Robinson

NEW South Wales will share in a $1 billion congestion-busting fund to target roads in clogged areas and help people get to work quicker.

And the federal Budget also has money to help solve overcrowding on our waterfront too — with the government pledging money to work up options for a second berthing site for cruise ships, possibly at Port Botany.

Tackling Sydney’s growth problems were the sweeteners last night in an infrastructure package that saw NSW fall well short of other states in the government’s $24.5 billion ­investment in major projects.

Work continues on the Bringelly Rd upgrade on Tuesday. The Northern and Bringelly Road upgrades are part of a $3.6 billion western Sydney infrastructure plan.

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Announcing the package last night, the government said congestion was costing the economy more than $16 billion a year.

Treasurer Scott Morrison said the Urban Congestion Fund would fix “pinch points”.

It’s understood this will be done in a 50/50 partnership with states after they pitch projects. The fund marks a major shift in the approach to ­improving roads, with the federal Government to support the state in small-scale projects that affect big numbers of ­commuters.

Traditionally, these projects have been left to state governments with commitments mainly made in election cycles.

There is also $3.5 billion to upgrade freight corridors in the regions, connection agricultural areas with cities and ports.

Re-routed traffic makes its way around the Northern Road upgrade in Sydney today.

And the federal Government will also take the lead on investigating a new cruise terminal for Sydney, with the budget committing to provide $300,000 from next year to work up options for extra berthing sites in Sydney to support the growth of the cruise ship tourism sector.

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The lack of room for cruise ships in Sydney has been an ongoing problem, limiting the state’s tourism market and ability to grow — with the sector contributing $2.7 billion to the Australian economy each year.

While the state has previously expressed an interest in creating a new terminal at Garden Island, the Navy has resisted giving up that land.

Other states fared better in NSW in infrastructure but Sydney’s traffic problem areas were targeted.

The state has also been allocated $971 million for the Coffs Harbour Bypass, $155 million for the Nowra Bridge Construction, $400 million for the Port Botany Rail Line Duplication, $50 million to fund a business case for the Western Sydney North-South rail line and $100 million to upgrade the Barton Hwy Corridor.

The financial commitment fell well short of other states, including Victoria.

Major programs the state government is looking to fund, including the Metro West, were not included in last night’s budget package too

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet told The Daily Telegraph: “NSW is already standing on the winner’s podium when it comes to infrastructure spending. All the other states are playing catch up.”

He went on to say the federal Government “won’t come close to matching our $80 billion spend over four years”.

The Federal Government has earmarked $971 million for the Coffs Harbour Bypass. Picture: Destination NSW

STANDING UP FOR PROGRESS

IT should be a quick trip, but Nikki Khayat’s daily return commute to the city from inner Sydney suburb Maroubra blows out to more than 90 minutes some days.

And the 22-year-old paralegal, who earns about $60,000, is usually forced to stand for the snail’s pace progress.

Nikki Khayat catches the bus from her home in Maroubra to the city and back every day for work. Picture: Dylan Robinson

“The bus is always stopped in traffic because the city is completely gridlocked when I leave work at 5pm,” she said.

But the budget’s $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund for state projects to fix pinch points and improve traffic flow will help.

“Anything that makes it faster would be good news,” she said.

Treasurer Scott Morrison kisses daughter Abbey after delivering his Budget speech. Picture: Kym Smith

WESTERN FACILITY LIFTS OFF

WESTERN Sydney Airport will receive $5 million for its new visitor centre under an investment revealed in last night’s budget.

The government will provide the money this financial year for the construction of the centre on the airport site.

It will include an exhibition space, presentation and consultation facilities and public viewing access to the site works.

In another win for the west, the budget also formalised the $125 million investment to back infrastructure and liveability projects in the boom region. This includes the $50 million for a rail link business case and $15 million to speed up planning and zoning reforms to boost housing supply in the region.

Signs warn trespassers and rubbish dumpers at the Badgerys Creek airport site yesterday.