Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to commend the New South Wales Liberal government for its outstanding commitments for a better future for people on the Central Coast, which is a very strong reason as to why Premier Mike Baird should be re-elected this weekend.

Jobs, growth and opportunity are really important for our region, which is why I so strongly support the federal government's commitment of a new purpose-built ATO centre of excellence for the heart of Gosford—600 new jobs for Gosford. People across the Central Coast, wherever I go, tell me every single day how supportive they are of this initiative. Thanks to Premier Mike Baird, if the coalition is re-elected on Saturday, another 300 positions from the New South Wales Office of Finance and Services will also some to Gosford over the next four years. This means nearly 1,000 new jobs for Gosford. I acknowledge and particularly thank Chris Holstein, the Liberal member for Gosford and the Minister for the Central Coast, Rob Stokes, for their tireless advocacy on this issue.

After 16 years of neglect of the Central Coast under the former Labor government, this is a massive boost to jobs, growth and skills that our region desperately needs. It will also help to revitalise Gosford along with other initiatives such as rezoning and reinvigorating the waterfront and a proposal for a performing arts centre. Premier Baird and the member for Gosford, Chris Holstein, have announced a $12 million commitment towards the performing arts centre and conservatorium. It is not just Gosford that is seeing new jobs; Reinforced Concrete Pipes Australia has recently announced that it would locate its $15 million facility at Somersby—creating another 30 jobs or more. Overall, I am advised that over the past four years more than 11,000 jobs have been created on the Central Coast as a result of the New South Wales Liberal government's policies.

This is a game changer for our region, but we simply cannot take it for granted. The future of the Central Coast is too important, and it has been neglected by Labor for too long. You can see this neglect when you drive across our roads on the Central Coast, which is why the New South Wales Liberal government is investing $400 million to boost roads across our region. This includes $126 million to duplicate the Pacific Highway at Lisarow and $100 million to upgrade the Pacific Highway at Ourimbah.

Following consultation with the community there is $174 million to be allocated to projects which could benefit other Central Coast growth road projects such as Manns Road from West Gosford to Narara and Terrigal Drive from Erina to Terrigal. A further $5.5 million will also be invested to tackle congestion and improve safety on Central Coast roads, including $2 million to undertake safety improvements on Brisbane Water Drive at Point Clare. There is also $1 million to ease congestion and improve traffic flow at the busy roundabout where Empire Bay Drive meets The Scenic Road at Kincumber. I really want to pay tribute to our Liberal candidate for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, for his tireless advocacy on this issue. The state Liberal government is also delivering on the $170 million upgrade for the intersection at West Gosford, which will improve traffic flow, travel times and safety for all road users and deliver a vital boost to our local small businesses.

The Baird Liberal government is also pledging a massive $368 million towards the redevelopment of Gosford Hospital and $200 million to upgrade Wyong Hospital. This will give Gosford Hospital, in my electorate, a new emergency department, a new intensive care unit, an expanded high dependency unit and a range of other additional services and facilities, including more inpatient beds for acute and subacute services and, very importantly, extra car parking. This upgrade also includes the potential for a Central Coast medical school. I again welcome the state Liberal government's support for this project which, while in its early stages, could see a globally connected, fully integrated Central Coast health and medical research institute at some stage in the future. This is a unique opportunity to deliver a shared vision for a university in Gosford that will be a world-class centre of excellent which delivers more aspiration, more growth and more opportunity.

There is $345,000 for Central Coast Surf Life Saving for rescue drones, digital radios, portable PA systems and a community education program. As a surf lifesaver, I know the importance of this particular announcement. This will benefit surf lifesaving clubs in my electorate at Avoca Beach, Umina Beach, Ocean Beach, Killcare, McMasters Beach, Copacabana, North Avoca and Terrigal.

The state government is also upgrading Gosford and Terrigal high schools as part of state-wide funding adding up to almost $150 million. And today the Premier visited Lifeline Central Coast to announce $10.5 million to help ensure that people across the state can continue to access vital counselling services around the clock. This is a government that deserves to be re-elected on Saturday. (Time Expired)

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