Luke Hartsuyker (Cowper, National Party, Deputy Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

Last week Infrastructure Australia released the Australian infrastructure plan and priority list. The priority list ranked the Coffs Harbour Bypass as a national priority. The proposed $1 billion project is a vital missing link in the eastern Australian transport corridor, and I have made it clear to the new infrastructure and transport minister, Darren Chester, that this project remains top of mind for Coffs Harbour businesses, community and local residents.

I have invited Minister Chester to the Cowper electorate to personally inspect the proposed route and witness firsthand the traffic problems caused by the Pacific Highway splitting Coffs Harbour CBD. When motorists travelling on the duplicated Pacific Highway arrive at Coffs Harbour, they are confronted by a large roundabout, 12 sets of traffic lights and thousands of local cross-city traffic movements. Coffs Harbour cannot be the only city not bypassed when the Pacific Highway upgrade is finished. The Coffs Harbour Bypass will create jobs for locals and inject millions of dollars into the local economy. The preferred route has been locked in, significant numbers of properties acquired and concept plans have been developed. The bypass will form an important part of the local road infrastructure system, improving traffic flow in the city and providing safer motoring for local drivers. The Pacific Highway upgrade is powering ahead, and it is important that the Coffs Harbour Bypass project starts as soon as possible to get the trucks out of the main street of Coffs Harbour.

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