SUSTAINED GOVERNMENT FOCUS ON M1 TO RAYMOND TERRACE FUNDS A WELCOME UPDATE

The region’s peak business organisation, Business Hunter, has today welcomed news that the $80 million in funding committed in the Federal forward Budget Estimates remains a strong priority for candidates in the 2022 Federal Election.

Business Hunter CEO, Bob Hawes, said he was pleased that this project was still a strong priority for the Commonwealth, and acknowledged there could have been a temptation to divert funds to support COVID assistance and economic recovery measures the government are concerned with.

“It was great to hear news that this critical infrastructure project remains a 2022 election priority for candidates in our region, we don’t want to see it sidelined,” Mr Hawes said.

“We’ll certainly be continuing our ongoing advocacy position to make this a key priority for the region as we finalise our 2022 Business Hunter Pre-Budget and Federal Election Submissions.

“The M1 to Raymond Terrace extension is critical for the region given the growth we are experiencing across the Hunter. It’s potential to boost connectivity across the region to fuel urban, industrial and visitor economy growth will deliver strong return on investment for our future government and the region,” Mr Hawes said.

Business Hunter welcomes further commitment from candidates from all political parties to ensure this important project has bi-partisan support and the forward estimates funding forecast remains in place and further funding is forthcoming through to project completion.