Pending the outcome of this month's State election, $15 million has been allocated by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to get the Northern Gateway Transport Hub project at Cundletown underway.
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Funding would be used for initial infrastructure works in the first stage of the project such as road upgrades, constructing a roundabout and relocating utilities currently situated in the location of the proposed development.
Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead was joined by representatives of MidCoast Council, the Mid North Coast and Manning business communities and freight company Jim Pearson Transport for the announcement.
Mr Bromhead said the project focuses on economic prosperity, employment growth and driver safety.
"It allows companies like Jim Pearson Transport to do a 'two step' between Sydney and Brisbane, therefore making it safer.
"Hopefully if other companies follow the example of Jim Pearson Transport and break up that trip between Sydney and Brisbane, it'll make the road safer and it'll make family life a lot better for those drivers.
"Fatigue is a big issue for drivers and by breaking up the trip, it makes it so much better for the safety of those drivers, their families and the other road users," Mr Bromhead said.
The transport hub has been a priority project in MidCoast Council's Regional Economic Development Strategy for several years.
MidCoast Council mayor David West said the project would be a "game changer for transport."
Fatigue is a big issue for drivers and by breaking up the trip, it makes it so much better for the safety of those drivers, their families and the other road users.
- Stephen Bromhead, Member for Myall Lakes
"This initiative cannot be understated, the effect on this community moving forward will be incredible.
"We have already been identified as a regional growth centre but reinforcing that requires infrastructure.
"It's all well and good to have a highway going past a regional centre but you need something to sustain that regional centre," Mayor West said.
Jim Pearson Transport human resources manager Don McRae said the hub would improve work efficiency within the company.
"Taree is very strategically important for us because of its proximity to Sydney - drivers can get down and back to Sydney in their lot of hours so fatigue is not an issue.
"We don't need to come over the Martin Bridge and through residential areas of Taree which is what we do now. That adds an extra 25 minutes each run.
"Having a site here two minutes from the highway is perfect for us," Mr McRae said.
The company would look to establish a workshop at the site which would create about 40 new jobs.
NSW Business Chamber Mid North Coast regional manager Kellon Beard said progression on the site is "a long time coming."
This initiative can not be understated, the effect on this community moving forward will be incredible.
- David West, MidCoast Council Mayor
"We've been working with the government and the local council for a number of years on this, trying to get it to go ahead.
"We believe it is a big infrastructure that Taree needs.
"There are businesses in town that are looking to expand and to use access to the highway and move from where they are so this gives them a great opportunity to do that," Mr Beard said.
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