CAROLINE PERRYMAN, PRESENTER: Well in a moment, one of those locals who fought so hard for this pathway will join us. But before that, the Member for Shortland, Pat Conroy rather, joins us. Good morning, Mr Conroy.
CONROY: Good morning. How are you?
PERRYMAN: Well thank you. Now this is a joint project between the Federal Government and Central Coast Council costing $12.7 million. $7 million from your government. What will that actually pay for?
CONROY: That will pay for the shared pathway all the way from Mannering Park through Kingfisher Shores to Chain Valley Bay, and this is one of my election commitments from the 2022 election that I'm delivering. And it's a tribute to the three community organisations that have driven it in the Chain Valley Bay Progress Association, the Mannering Park Precinct Committee, and Mannering Park Progress. These three communities have been really united in saying this is their number one infrastructure priority for that part of Lake Macquarie in the northern Central Coast and I'm just delighted to be part of delivering what will really improve healthy lifestyles and accessibility for so many people.
PERRYMAN: And just describe what it will look like for us. I believe there's a little bridge that has to be built.
CONROY: Yeah one of the complicating factors and the fact that makes it a bit more expensive is the community was very clear they wanted to follow the foreshore route along Lake Macquarie. So it'll start at Mannering Park and head south and then cross over a bridge over the inlet canal at the Delta electricity power station and then go around the foreshore to Kingfisher Shores and Chain Valley Bay.
So it's going to be very scenic around the lake. And this is one of the reasons people move to our beautiful neck of the woods is to enjoy the natural environment with so many lakes and beaches. Importantly, there's also a safety aspect which means that kids who go to the high schools and primary schools at Lake Munmorah can now ride- will be able to ride along that rather than trying to get through the very busy and often dangerous Carters Road intersection of the Pacific Highway. So it's both about healthy lifestyles and safety for kids going to school.
PERRYMAN: Yes that's really important isn't it? Now they'll be able to go all the way off road instead of having to walk near a busy road.
CONROY: Yeah absolutely, and this was such an important ask for the community. They've been fighting for this for 15 years and I want to thank Central Coast Council for coming to the party. Getting projects approved while they're in administration is challenging, but they were very flexible, and in fact they were able to put in $5.7 million of their own funding to make sure that it was able to be completed. And this is a good example of different levels of government working together to actually deliver for the community and respond to what the community has said is the highest priority. and it's always a pleasure to do that as a local representative.
PERRYMAN: Okay. And when can we expect to be able to use it?
CONROY: Early 2027. So next year will be spent doing community consultation, designing, doing the detailed design work, and getting the important environmental approvals as it will go along the lake, and then it'll take about a year to construct. But the Council has assured me that early 2027 is a realistic completion date, and that will slowly not only enhance quality of life for those three communities, but also help attract more tourists to our community, which is good for local jobs.
PERRYMAN: Some might say that almost $13 million for such a project is a lot of money. What would you say to those people?
CONROY: Wel, I would say that this is the number one priority for those communities. They deserve to have quality infrastructure, and I've seen the benefit of shared pathways along the lake really leading to thriving communities and helping people enjoy the natural beauty. We have to balance that with other priorities. That's why we've delivered tax cuts from the 1 July and the $300 electricity bill relief. So good governments can do both local projects that improve quality of life for communities while doing the big things like helping with the cost of living, and it’s about getting the balance right and that's what this government is intent on doing.
PERRYMAN: All right. We look forward to being able to use that in around 2027 hopefully if all goes to plan. Thanks for your time.
CONROY: Thanks. Have a great morning.