Donnybrook Road appears to be the stage that could set the key seat of McEwen alight in the upcoming election on May 3, with the Liberal-National Party declaring they will fund the road if elected in response to the Labor Government’s announcement last week.
Liberal candidate for McEwen Jason McClintock announced on Tuesday, joined by Senator Bridget McKenzie, that an elected Dutton-Littleproud Government would deliver $192 million to their Donnybrook Road upgrade.
The plan for an elected Liberal Party would see the Donnybrook Road connection to the Hume Highway upgraded, while the road would be duplicated through to Epping/Merriang Road.
The level crossing at Donnybrook Station would be removed, Mitchell Street and the Southbound Hume Highway exit would be upgraded, and the bridge over the Hume Highway would be duplicated.
Senator McKenzie said it was imperative to fix the road immediately, among other projects.
“After wasting the past three years reviewing and cutting funding for major infrastructure projects, we have seen the Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King make rapid fire announcements since January but 90 per cent of the funding will not be expended in the next term of Government,” she said.
“Labor confirmed at the recent Budget they will pay the states $1.1 billion less in road funding this year. That is $1.1 billion less to fix potholes, improve road safety and upgrade our local road networks.”
Mr McClintock was thrilled to make the announcement on Tuesday, saying that it would provide vast improvements for safer traffic flow and ensure drivers would reach their destination quicker.
“With ongoing residential development in the area, it is essential to deliver upgrades that enhance traffic flow and create a safer road environment for all users of Donnybrook Road,” he said.
“The Coalition is committing to an improved upgrade for the McEwen community, making an 80 per cent contribution towards the total project cost.”
The move came after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was joined by Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell the previous week in announcing there would be $125 million pledged towards their plan for Donnybrook Road, which would see additional lanes, a fully-signalised intersection and a new bridge built over Kalkallo Creek.
Mr Mitchell cast doubt on the Liberals’ ability to execute their plan, saying it wouldn’t be possible to complete the amount of work promised for their outlay.
“They think for [an additional] $67 million, they will duplicate eight kilometres of road, build a rail overpass bridge and duplicate the bridge over the Hume Highway. When the bridge that was currently there was built in 2007, it cost $40 million on its own,” he said.
