BY MADELAINE MCNEILL
The state government is accused of back-flipping on an election promise to fund the duplication of Nelson Bay Road.
Former Premier Mike Baird promised $67 million to the project in 2015, but Freedom of Information documents requested by Port Stephens MP Kate Washington have revealed funding won’t begin until after the 2020-21 financial year.
Voters will now face another state election before the duplication is complete, and Kate Washington says she can’t understand how the Berejiklian Government thinks it could regain local support.
“There is a state budget coming up. They have one last opportunity to do the right thing by our community and bring forward this spend so that the full duplication of Nelson Bay Road, as promised, is delivered.” Ms Washington told 2NUR.
Shadow Roads Minister Jodi McKay says Premier Gladys Berijiklian needs to come clean and explain her role in the decision to delay funding.
“Premier Baird stood in Port Stephens and promised a full duplication, then failed to deliver.” Minister McKay said, labelling the backflip an ‘insult to the people of Port Stephens.’


Jodi McKay and Kate Washington. Picture: Marina Neil, theherald.com