Neal hits at F3 link claim

Member for Robertson Belinda Neal has hit back at a claim that she had rejected a $1 million proposal to examine an alternate direct link from the Peninsula to the F3 Freeway.

Ms Neal said the 2007 proposal by the previous Member for Robertson and Minister for Roads, Mr Jim Lloyd, to examine a road through the Brisbane Water National Park "was just talk".

"An examination of Federal finances shows that no such money had even been allocated.

"The ex-Minister for Roads and ex-Member of Parliament claims he has all the solutions now, but at present he holds no position," Ms Neal said

"He expects instant solutions despite the fact that, after 12 years of little action to fix these matters, he left Central Coast roads in the state they are in now."

According to Ms Neal, the Rudd Government's 2008/09 Budget provided a record increase in Gosford Council's local roads funding.

"This is 50 per cent over funds provided by the former Roads Minister in the previous year," Ms Neal said.

"I have been in discussion with the State Government and Local Government since Woy Woy Road first collapsed.

"I am pleased that the State Government has allocated funding of $250,000 to the road and provided its expertise to Gosford Council to help solve the problem.

"The decision about what projects this money is spent on is made by Gosford Council.

"I live at Woy Woy Bay and I am well aware of the inconvenience and frustration of residents, but the unfortunate fact that this road collapsed does not automatically make it eligible for Federal funds, either under "black spot" funding or under natural disaster funding.

"As the Member for Robertson, I will continue to fight for a greater allocation of Federal funds for the roads of the Central Coast."

Press release, 1 Aug 2008 Belinda Neal, Member for Robertson