NSW Budget 2019: Massive roads, health investment on the Central Coast

The State Government has come good on its promises to upgrade the Central Coast’s road and health infrastructure, including long-waited improvements to the Central Coast Highway.

More than $100 million to continue upgrading the M1 motorway between Tuggerah and Somersby highlights the State Government’s splurge on the Central Coast.

Funding for health and infrastructure projects have led the government’s priorities for the Coast in the 2019-20 Budget, as it looks to ensure the future of a region “at the centre of NSW’s fastest growing corridor”.

It will spend $151.2 million improving the Coast’s roads, $84.9 million on hospital redevelopments and $8.6 million towards an “immersive play space” in the heart of Gosford, Budget papers have revealed.

The Pacific Highway at Ourimbah. Picture: Mark Scott

Of that $104.6 million will go to the ongoing widening of the M1 between the Tuggerah and Doyalson interchanges, and the Kariong and Somersby interchanges.

$33.9 million has been set aside to continue construction of the Pacific Highway widening between Parsons Road and Ourimbah St at Lisarow.

Money has been allocated to the long-awaited Central Coast Highway upgrade, including $6.5 million to finish the intersection of Empire Bay Dr, The Scenic Rd and Cochrone St at Kincumber.

$2.7 million was also allocated to plan the section from Manns Rd, West Gosford and Narra Creek Rd this year. Funding to upgrade the road between Bateau Bay and Wamberal will rise to $387 million over the next four years.

Three of the four ramps at the Kariong interchange will be upgraded.

$60.5 million will see Stage 1 of the $200 million Wyong Hospital Redevelopment get underway, and the $24.4 million needed to complete Gosford Hospital’s $348 million redevelopment was also included.

A new park to be built in Gosford, designed in collaboration with the Local Aboriginal Land Council, labelled a “nature-inspired play and sensory experience” will receive the majority of its $10 million cost this year.

Architects rendering of the proposed Wyong Hospital redevelopment.

Terrigal state Liberal MP Adam Crouch was “thrilled” the Budget included funding for vital road projects including the Central Coast Highway.

“The Budget confirms that the Central Coast is of high priority to this Government, who knows it’s at the centre of NSW’s fastest growing corridor,” he said.