Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday I received a very welcome telephone call from the Deputy Prime Minister, advising he had just signed off on the first tranche of the $1.8 billion for the much-awaited and much-lauded Coffs Harbour Bypass. The first tranche, of $338 million, will see the commencement of major works in the not-too-distant future. To date local and regional builders are to benefit from the latest early works on the Coffs Harbour Bypass, with 13 projects signed up to already perform at-house noise treatments. The project team's local industry participation plan has seen more than 50 local businesses engaged so far and work is continuing on at-house noise treatments, with a large number of assessments completed on the eligible properties.

A major project of the relocation of the Coramba water main is currently underway, with all three levels of government working closely together. The Coffs Harbour City Council is undertaking this massive task to carry out the relocation, and it's expected to be completed in December. I will continue to work with all levels of government to ensure that this project is delivered not only for the people of Coffs Harbour but also for the people of New South Wales. This is more than a bypass; it is a better way of life for the people of Coffs Harbour.