Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams said it is incredibly distressing to learn today that the Minns and Albanese Labor Governments have axed funding for the planning of one of the most critical road projects in Port Macquarie.

“Local commuters who use the Oxley Highway and particularly the section of road from the Pacific Highway intersection to the Lake Road intersection will find the decision to cut funding for the ongoing planning of this important arterial road nothing short of irresponsible and negligent.

“I have met both in Parliament and in Port Macquarie with Minister Aitchison to discuss the increased congestion on the Oxley Highway and the need for funding to continue planning for major upgrades but today it seems those conversations have fallen on deaf ears”, Mrs Williams said.

“While I appreciated the time Minister Aitchison took to visit Port Macquarie soon after she became the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads I am astounded that she now appears to have erased from her memory the congestion she saw at the intersection in June this year,” Mrs Williams said.

“Transport for NSW have previously undertaken community consultation on several options to improve traffic flow at these locations with detailed designs still being developed. Now it seems the development of those designs has come to a halt and it is our community that will wear the brunt of increasing traffic movements at the intersection including hospital staff and paramedics trying to access the health precinct.”

“In just eight months we have seen yet again the Labor Minister for Regional Transport and Roads turn her back on the people of the Port Macquarie electorate and those living in regional New South Wales.”

Member for Oxley Michael Kemp shares these concerns highlighting that it is already difficult for Hastings commuters to travel from Wauchope into Port Macquarie for work, school and medical appointments.

“The peak congestion in this area in both the morning and afternoon leads to frustrating travel times and comprises safety for motorists,” Mr Kemp said.

“I call on the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads to stand up to her Federal Labor colleagues and lobby for this funding for planning of this critical upgrade to be reinstated.”