Princes Highway State Coronial Inquest

26 March 2008

The RTA’s announcement that they are undertaking preliminary technical
investigations to confirm the suitability of the corridor for any
potential future upgrade at Victoria Creek has been described as a media
stunt on the eve of the Princes Highway Inquest by the Member for Bega
Andrew Constance.

“If the Iemma Government was serious where is the $20 million budgetary
commitment to go with today’s announcement and a Ministerial green
light,” Mr Constance said.

“Why did they wait until two weeks before the State Coronial Inquest to
make this announcement, when it could have been done at any point in the
last three years?” Mr Constance asked.

“This is another media stunt from the experts in the Iemma Government,”
Mr Constance said.

“They have not confirmed they are building this new section through
Victoria Creek, a new section that is critical to saving lives,” Mr
Constance said.

The RTA has also flagged the realignment of the Princes
Highway at Dignams Creek but again without any confirmation of budget
from the Roads Minister.

“All they have done is upgrade the advance ‘curve warning’ sign along
the Princes Highway at Dignams Creek,” Mr Constance said.

The NSW Government has allocated a $142.8 million in the 2007/08 State
Budget for the Princes Highway with all of the money being spent north
of Kiama and no money being spent south where many accidents are
happening.

Princes Highway improvement work currently underway includes:

• On and off ramps between the Princes Highway and Kiama
• Princes Highway upgrade between Oak Flats to Dunmore to four
  lane dual carriageway
• Northern Distributor Extension from Bellambi to the Princes
  Highway at Bulli.
• Realignment of the Princes Hwy at Conjola Mountain
• Princes Highway safety improvements between Forest Road and
  Falls Road