Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis says the lack of Princes Highway funding in last night’s budget has not disappointed her – but she does have high hopes for future funding.
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“I got $155 million for the Shoalhaven bridge, which I have been working on for six years,” she said.
“Eurobodalla has only been part of the Gilmore electorate since 2016.
“Now, I’m working on trying to get the Princes Highway recognised as a road of strategic importance.”
Mrs Sudmalis said if the highway was designated “strategically important”, more funding options were possible.
If better infrastructure was in place, those may not have happened.
- Ann Sudmalis on highway fatalities
“There is over $3.5 billion available over 10 years for road safety, bridges, capacity freight and tourist connectivity – the last one is my lever for approaching the minister (about the highway),” she said.
“It’s my next cab off the rank.”
Recent fatalities had made her aware of the importance of the highway for the Far South Coast, Mrs Sudmalis said.
“If better infrastructure was in place, those may not have happened.”
She said co-operation between state and federal governments was essential.
“I have spoken to Andrew Constance, and we want to see good connectivity between Batemans Bay and Nowra,” Mrs Sudmalis said.
“He’s working on the bridge over the Clyde and I’m working on the bridge in the Shoalhaven, so there is a good level of co-operation there.”