Blue Mountains News

“The upper Mountains’ Great Western Highway works are already in planning, and the NSW Government’s investigation of the road tunnel upgrade from Hartley to the eastern side of Blackheath has raised concerns for Medlow Bath residents,” Ms Templeman said.

“Labor would look to ensure all options for this project – including the potential for a continued tunnel under Medlow Bath – are properly investigated, and that the environmental impacts of all the options are thoroughly assessed.

“In the lower Mountains, a much-needed improvement to pedestrian access, which residents have been calling for over many years, would be delivered by Labor.

“An Albanese Labor Government would bring safer access to Hawkesbury Heights by investing $1.8 million to build a fully paved shared path for pedestrians, cyclists and families adjacent to Hawkesbury Road, between Hawkesbury Heights Lookout and Winmalee High School.

“The local community has been crying out for a better solution, but has been ignored for nearly a decade by this tired, old Liberal Government.”

An Albanese Labor Government will also provide additional funding for councils to upgrade roads and infrastructure.

“We will extend the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program to allow more priority projects to be funded and more local roads to be upgraded,” Ms Templeman said.

Based on the highly successful Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program introduced by Labor during the Global Financial Crisis, the LRCI Program delivers funding directly to councils to undertake local priority projects, upgrading infrastructure and supporting jobs growth across communities.

“Councils do great work, but many simply don’t have the resources to upgrade the assets they’re responsible for,” Ms Templeman said.

“That’s why an Albanese Labor Government will give them the support they need, partnering with councils across the country to upgrade local roads.”

Ms Templeman said the politics will also be taken out of infrastructure planning in Western Sydney under a Labor government by establishing an expert panel to look at the region’s needs and report ahead of the 2023 Budget.

“The panel will bring together all three levels of government across Western Sydney – from the southwest to the northwest - and conduct proper planning for future transport and infrastructure needs,” Ms Templeman said.

“It will also bring together community and local business representatives to provide feedback, so local people have a greater voice.”