Natalie Ward
NSW Liberal Deputy Leader
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
Shadow Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast
Serena Copley
Liberal for Kiama
The NSW Liberals are calling on the Minns Labor Government to stop dragging its feet and come clean on its plans for the long-promised Nowra Bypass.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure; Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said while planning work is underway, the community deserves more from the NSW Labor government, who have no plans to complete this project.
"The Nowra Bypass is the next vital stage for the Princes Highway and for the South Coast. Commuters, families, freight operators and local tourism have waited long enough. Labor has failed to provide any delivery funding, just more words, more promises, and more delays," Ms Ward said.
Under the former Liberal government, the Princes Highway saw record investment, with major projects delivered up and down the South Coast, including:
· The Nowra Bridge Project
· The Albion Park Rail Bypass
· The Foxground and Berry Bypass
"These projects transformed communities and cut travel times. The Liberals delivered because we back communities here in Kiama and throughout the South Coast. That's the difference between the Liberal Party and Labor – we build, they talk."
"Now on the eve of a by-election Labor expect locals to ignore their neglect for the region, they shouldn't be rewarded for their inaction and lack of vision."
In 2023, $105 million was allocated for planning work on the Nowra Bypass. But despite all the announcements, no delivery commitment has been given or funding – leaving the bypass years or decades away from reality if it ever happens. Since the 2023 NSW Election the NSW Labor Government have failed to announce a single major transport project across NSW.
Liberal for Kiama, Serena Copley said, "the people of the South Coast know the truth, Labor talk big before an election, and then afterwards projects are pushed into the never never. There's no vision, no funding, and no urgency from Labor at any level of government, but particularly from the Minns Labor Government."
"The Liberals have a proven record of delivering critical road infrastructure. The NSW Liberals will always deliver more infrastructure, and deliver it sooner, than Labor."
