BY JESSICA ROUSE
The latest in a number of Ministerial visits to the Hunter electorate was Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King today, who announced funding for planning work for a Cessnock Bypass and news that work on the Muswellbrook Bypass has been brought forward.
Current Hunter MP Dan Repacholi made the announcement with the Minister that $5 million would be allocated in the upcoming Federal Budget for planning work on the Cessnock Bypass.
“For years people have been telling me how congested it is in Cessnock. People wait in queues everywhere, so we have a $5 million announcement to go to Council for planning works. The basic plan is that the Bypass would come around the back of Bellbird and Nulkaba, past the airport and back onto Wine Country Drive.
“It’ll take the pressure off Wollombi Road, reducing congestion in Cessnock’s town centre,” said Dan.
It wasn’t the only good news for the Hunter electorate, Minister King also announced the Muswellbrook Bypass project had been brought forward.
“Three weeks ago we went and had a good look at the Singleton Bypass and the terrific work there, that is game changer for Singleton. It will give people back their community.
“Because they have done so well with that work it has enabled us to bring forward money to start the Muswellbrook Bypass. We were worried about the labor needed in the region but we’ve seen that great work happen in Singleton so quickly that we have the capacity to bring the Muswellbrook project forward.
“Bringing forward the money means all the early works can start to happen, it will start to happen in the coming months in preparation for the construction to start in early 2026,” explained Minister King.
Minister King said the money for planning the Cessnock Bypass was crucial as well, especially considering the housing development in the area.
“We know there has been and is significant housing development that’s coming into Cessnock, we love seeing people come into the region, but of course our infrastructure needs to be able to keep up so getting that alternate route ready so we can make decisions about investment later on so we can keep ahead is crucial.”
