Karen McNamara (Dobell, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The member for Reid is absolutely correct in saying that small and medium businesses are the engine room of the Australian economy and employment. Since my election I have worked hard to represent the 8,500 businesses in Dobell who each employ between one and 20 people. Many of our local businesses are family operated and are looking for opportunities to grow and generate further employment. Collectively, these businesses are Dobell's largest employer and are crucial to the livelihood of our local residents.

This government understands that small businesses must be supported by an effective infrastructure network. Without this support, businesses become uncompetitive, stagnate and lack opportunity to increase the number of jobs they provide to the local community. Investing in productivity-boosting infrastructure delivers many benefits to small businesses, which in turn boost economic growth and job creation.

In regions such as the Central Coast, this is the main driver of economic growth and the development of a stronger job market. The Central Coast is attractive to businesses seeking a location that offers available greenfield employment land, lower costs of doing business, affordable commercial rent relative to Sydney, and ideal logistical access, located midway between Sydney and Newcastle.

My focus, as the member for Dobell, is to deliver productivity boosting infrastructure to the Central Coast. This is why I have advocated for business priority access to the National Broadband Network. The former Labor government's lack of consideration of Central Coast business needs in the original NBN rollout was inexcusable, particularly in regions such as the Central Coast, where infrastructure struggles to keep pace with a rapidly growing population. By delivering infrastructure, such as high speed broadband, local businesses will have the capacity to increase their productivity, grow and, in turn, create more jobs.

There should be no doubt whatsoever that this government is committed to delivering better infrastructure, and, in turn, creating more jobs for the Central Coast. Last month I welcomed the Hon. Jamie Briggs MP, the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, to announce the commencement of the construction on the $3 billion NorthConnex—the long-awaited missing link between the M1 Pacific Motorway and the M2 motorway. NorthConnex will offer opportunities for local businesses and will engage with them throughout construction. A local business register will be established to advertise the 7,500 jobs that will be created during the construction phase alone, with another 1,200 jobs directly created by this project. These jobs will be a huge boost for our local economy, which has seen significant change over recent years.

The Central Coast evolved from a quiet weekend getaway destination for Sydneysiders into one of Australia's fastest growing regions. In Dobell, close to 1,000 businesses specialise in retail and hospitality. These businesses are highly dependent on the summer holiday period as, during that period, they do much of their trade. Our challenge is to expand tourism across the year by offering opportunities to encourage more people to visit the Central Coast and, in turn, support our local economy. Projects such as the Tuggerah sports precinct will have significant benefits for local small businesses within the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors. My vision for the Central Coast to become the sports tourism capital of New South Wales extends well beyond the playing fields. This government's investment of $1 million to commence the necessary studies to develop this $30 million facility signals our commitment to delivering infrastructure that will produce economic benefits. In addition to boosting sports tourism by enabling the Central Coast to host regional, state, national and international sporting events, the development of this venue will boost our local hospitality and retail sectors.

This government is further boosting local tourism by delivering funds to upgrade the Norah Head boat ramp. Again, this is a vital piece of economic infrastructure. It is the only sea access boat ramp in Dobell and essential to encouraging tourists to visit our magnificent coastline. Sadly, the ramp had fallen into disrepair, meaning that locals and tourists alike were unable to take advantage of some of our best natural assets. This project is now close to completion with funding from this government. Projects such as the NBN, NorthConnex, the Tuggerah sports precinct and Norah Head boat ramp are examples of this government getting on and delivering world-class infrastructure to grow regional economies, such as the Central Coast's.

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