The Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange has come off the drawing board and started to take shape, as Daracon constructs the first section of the project.
Last week, Member for Charlestown and Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Jodie Harrison, was part of an official party that marked the commencement of the construction of the first section of Stage 1, worth $25.8 million.
Lake Macquarie City Council’s Director City Strategy, Tony Farrell, said the Council has played a pivotal role in delivering what will be a regionally significant legacy that will help to drive the economic growth of the City and its surrounding areas.
“During the past decade, Lake Macquarie City Council has led the way in securing funding from the State and Federal governments, and coordinating the project’s delivery,” Tony said.
“The NSW Government’s Lower Hunter Regional Strategy 2006-2031 identified the Interchange as a high-priority infrastructure project because of its potential to unlock growth and improve the connectivity and viability of major centres throughout the Hunter Region.:
“The Hunter is an interconnected region: the success of it and its surrounding areas depends upon the transport connectivity between them.”
“The Interchange will take the pressure off already congested road networks and provide better access to and from the Hunter Region’s largest employment zone, that of Glendale and Cardiff.”
The improved public transport infrastructure and interconnectivity between major centres will unlock the growth potential of this area by making it more viable and attractive to investors.
The employment zone of Glendale and Cardiff has the capacity for a further 200,000 sqm of retail and office space, as well as residential development to make way for the 5000 new dwellings needed to cater for the projected growth in population for this area alone.
“The short-term and ongoing benefits of this significant regional infrastructure project will be a long lasting legacy for the Hunter as thousands of new jobs are created, public transport infrastructure is improved and our economy grows as the development potential of the area is realised,” Tony continued.
“Stage 1, comprising of sections 1 and 2, can generate more than $700 million in development and unlock more than 4000 jobs in the short term. This will lead to sustained economic growth.”
Construction of Section 1 incorporates extensions to Stockland Drive in Glendale to link with Main Road in Cardiff. It also includes improved intersections, pedestrian, cycling and bus facilities, and upgrades of Main Road and Glendale Drive.
Council is continuing its efforts to obtain funds for Section 2, which will provide for a bridge over the Main Northern Railway to Pennant Street, Cardiff and connection to the extended Glendale Drive.
The Interchange incorporates both public transport solutions, which are owned by the NSW Government, as well the expansion of the local road network, which are the responsibility of Lake Macquarie City Council. The project is jointly funded by the Australian Government through the Regional Development Australia Fund, which is contributing $12.45 million, the NSW Government through the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund, which is contributing $15 million, Council, which is contributing $10 million, and commercial stakeholder Stockland, which is contributing $3 million.
Image | Senator the Hon Arthur Sinodinos AO, Senator for New South Wales, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Cr Jodie Harrison, Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery, Member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper and Member for Charlton, Pat Conroy
