A NSW GOVERNMENT commitment to provide $5.5 million for a noise wall as part of the Coffs Harbour Bypass has been met with contempt from Port Macquarie-Hastings councillor Nik Lipovac.
Cr Lipovac, speaking in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the wider council, has strongly criticised the decision, particularly in light of stalled road infrastructure upgrades in the Hastings region.
The funding, revealed last Friday, is intended to support the proposed $600 million film studio and associated developments being led by the privately-owned Pacific Bay Resort.
The project is set to include a world-class film production facility, accommodation precinct, entertainment spaces, and tourism infrastructure.
It has been pitched as a transformative development for the Coffs Coast, aimed at positioning the region as a hub for film production and boosting regional economic activity and employment.
The announcement forms part of the State Government’s broader commitment to grow NSW’s screen industry footprint.
Cr Lipovac is incredulous that state government funds could be found to support a film studio development on the Coffs Coast, while the Oxley Highway upgrade remains in limbo.
“For more than a decade we have begged for action to be taken to improve the Wrights Road and Lake Road roundabouts along the Oxley Highway and the Houston Mitchell Drive intersection with the Pacific Highway,” he said.
“We’re still waiting on the return of $5 million to plan the Oxley Highway Stage 2 upgrades; promised in 2022 and rescinded in 2023 due to alleged State Budget constraints.
“Suddenly $5.5m has been identified to assist the project in Coffs.”
Cr Lipovac said last Friday’s announcement raised questions about the government’s priorities.
“It was announced earlier this year that the State Government will spend up to $100 million on finding a suitable location for a second film studio in Western Sydney and the Central Coast has announced plans for a $230 million studio precinct,” he said.
“I’m a huge supporter of the arts but how many studios do we need in this state when lives are being lost on our roads?”
In Parliament on Tuesday night, Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer called on the Minns Government to “urgently fund” planning to upgrade the Oxley Highway, noting the recent funding commitment for Coffs Harbour.
“If the Government can suddenly allocate an unbudgeted $5.5 million for a sound wall in Coffs Harbour, I am sure it has the capacity to fund planning for a business case for the upgrade of the Oxley Highway,” he said.
“These intersections are not just a local inconvenience, it is a critical infrastructure failure that affects the daily lives of thousands of people.
“With over 20,000 vehicle movements each day, and 15,000 new homes planned across the Port Macquarie-Hastings region, the roundabouts are operating well beyond their intended capacity,” Mr Dwyer said.
“Residents face increasing travel times, with projections showing peak-hour delays could rise by 20 minutes by 2030, and up to 40 minutes by 2040 if no action is taken.”
Mr Dywer also noted the significance of the highway to the planned $264 million upgrade to the Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
“We just can’t wait until the problem becomes unmanageable,” he said.
By Luke HADFIELD
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