Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak about just one project of this government's record infrastructure build that I'm very passionate about—that is, the Coffs Harbour bypass. The $1.8 billion in funding towards this record infrastructure build for Coffs Harbour will not only deliver the bypass but will also deliver major improvements for motorists, road safety and provide some 12,000 direct and indirect jobs during the build. The 14 kilometre bypass will save 11 minutes of traffic time and bypass 12 sets of lights. But one thing that I'm most excited about is the revitalisation for the CBD of Coffs Harbour, removing 12,000 vehicles a day from the heart of Coffs Harbour and letting Coffs Harbour breathe again. Just like it did for Kempsey, just like it did for Taree, it will revitalise the centre of Coffs Harbour. I congratulate the Department of Roads and Maritime Services, which has done a great job in communicating the EIS to the public of Coffs Harbour. There have been five drop-in sessions, six pop-up displays and a project display in the heart of Coffs Harbour, which has been visited by hundreds of people. The project's environmental impact statement will close this Sunday, so have a voice and be heard.