When the Eagle Vale Drive upgrade was completed $3.76 million under budget, Campbelltown Council suggested it should keep the money.
The Turnbull Government, which provided the $16 million for the upgrade, not only agreed but decided to make it available to other councils from now on.
Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher today joined Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor in Campbelltown to announce the council was now able to spend the remaining $3.76 million it saved on the project to fund further road upgrade priorities.
“This is another win for Western Sydney residents, businesses and motorists thanks to the Australian Government’s $200 million local roads package – part of our commitment to improve transport links ahead of Western Sydney Airport opening in 2026,” Mr Fletcher said.
“I congratulate Campbelltown City Council on delivering this project under budget, resulting in Western Sydney motorists getting more bang for their buck from the Turnbull Government’s investment.
“I can also announce the Turnbull Government’s policy will be that, should other councils realise similar savings on local roads package projects, they too will be able to reallocate funding to further projects under this package.”
Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr George Brticevic, welcomed the announcement that council’s efforts in minimising costs on the Eagle Vale Drive project would now be rewarded with additional funds to improve Badgally Road.
“As an important connection between the south west growth area and the key strategic centre of Campbelltown CBD, council has already commenced necessary upgrades to Badgally Road, and today’s announcement will go some way towards facilitating the continuation of these works between Eagle Vale Drive and Clydesdale Drive,” Cr Brticevic said.
“We are encouraged by this new policy direction of allowing local government to reinvest savings into other infrastructure projects,’’ he said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“We’re optimistic that it is a reflection of an ongoing commitment to providing much needed funding support to councils for local infrastructure projects that are needed to support the growing communities of western Sydney.”[/social_quote]
The local roads package is a key part of the $3.6 billion Western Sydney infrastructure plan, to which the Turnbull Government is providing $2.9 billion.
“The Western Sydney infrastructure plan will deliver major road upgrades for the region and capitalise on the economic benefits from building the Western Sydney Airport,” Mr Fletcher said.
“With one in 11 Australians now living in Western Sydney, we are delivering major projects such as building the M12 Motorway and the Werrington Arterial Road to transform the region’s economy and make it an even better place to live and do business.”
Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor said agreement between Campbelltown Council and the Turnbull Government to reallocate funding was an early dividend from work on the Western Sydney City Deal.
“This is a great announcement today and shows the work behind the scenes to keep delivering for Western Sydney,” Mr Taylor said.
“The City Deal is bringing eight local councils together, with the State and Federal Governments, to deliver growth initiatives over 20 years for the West.
“Campbelltown City Council suggested the reallocation and, as part of our contribution under the Western Sydney City Deal, we agreed that it made sense to reward councils who make savings under the Western Sydney infrastructure plan.
“We are also investing $655,000 to carry out traffic, safety and scoping studies to identify issues and options to upgrade Raby Road from Eschol Park Drive to Stranraer Drive,” Mr Taylor said.
Have seen some significant work on local roads in the area. Well done!
Lol it’s all patches