Left-to-right: NSW Andrew Constance MP, NSW Premier Mike Baird, Liberal MP for Eden-Monaro, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Image: PM’s Facebook
As Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s government and the Labor Opposition are neck-and-neck in the polls, the amount of funding promised between the major parties in the lead up to the federal election on 2nd July, 2016 is shaping up to be a win for infrastructure, no matter who wins.
But the maritime and aviation sectors are set for a funding boost if the Coalition government wins the election as Mr Turnbull announced an allocation of $50 million to the Port of Eden and Merimbula Airport in New South Wales.
The funding will enable building an extension of the length of the runway to allow for any sized jet fly in and fly out to deliver more tourists and passengers.
And the wharf in Eden will have a substantial extension that will enable the biggest cruise ships to dock, resulting in more tourism in the local area of the Bega Shire.
Mr Turnbull made tourism a very strong point in his press conference, where he was joined by NSW Minister for Transport Andrew Constance and Premier Mike Baird.
“With respect to tourism – one our most important exports – remember that next year is going to be the year of China-Australia tourism. We will be seeing more Chinese visitors than ever before coming to Australia, coming to the South Coast, right across the country, driving jobs and growth,” Mr Turnbull said.
Mr Baird said these two projects together will provide great opportunities to attract tourists, not just from across the world but South Australia, Victoria, even across New South Wales and Queensland, to come down to one of the “most beautiful coastlines in the world”.
“The investment here at the airport, as the Prime Minister said, that provides an additional capacity for larger aircraft to come here which opens up the domestic markets in particular and the port infrastructure is very significant,” Mr Baird said.
He said that for too long, regional NSW has been ignored in providing opportunities for regional tourism infrastructure.
“That’s why we established dedicated funds and we are very proud to spend that money, delivering on regional infrastructure projects that will deliver tourism.
“As the Prime Minister said, massive opportunities in tourism over coming years. We have a competitive advantage but you need to have the infrastructure to match,” Mr Baird said.
“Delivering alongside the Prime Minister here today and the local Members a project both here at the airport and at the port that’s going to have a huge impact on the local economy, help local people’s daily lives as the economy provides further strengths.”
