State government urged to splash cash as tender process rolls forward for flood upgrade project

Mrs Swanson announced last week that tenders have been called for a concept design, detailed design and environmental impact statement on the project to raise and realign the section of Cessnock Road.

The Paterson MP confirmed that she contacted deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who is now the federal minister for infrastructure, and NSW roads minister Melinda Pavey on January 22 asking for an update.

I am pleased that, at long last, the wheels are in motion for the Testers Hollow upgrade, Mrs Swanson said.

I will now write again to the ministers for details of the tender, including how much money has been allocated, and for a timeline on when the work is to be completed.

She also called on the State government to increase their meagre contribution to the project.

The federal budget last year contained $15m over 4 years for the project, including $500,000 in the first year for investigation, she said.

But to my knowledge the State government has only committed $2m to the project.

They should increase this meagre amount to ensure the project is done properly.

The federal government confirmed last year that early work to flood proof the section of Cessnock Road would begin mid-2018, with construction to start in 2019.

The section of road between Maitland and Kurri has been the subject of a long running community campaign to flood proof the stretch of road, which has been inundated by water multiple times in recent years.

Notable instances in recent years include floods in April 2015 and January 2016 where the road was shut at days at a time.

Our community has lobbied long and hard for this road to be raised above flood levels, and Labor at state and federal levels has dragged the government kicking and screaming to the table.

This is a welcome start to an important project.

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