Prime Minister Scott Morrison will re-enter the remnants of the 2019 Black Summer bushfire zone on the first full day of the 2022 federal election campaign as he moves to address extreme weather events and population growth in the NSW Shoalhaven.
Starting the day in Nowra, Mr Morrison will commit $40 million for local road upgrades to address extensive damage caused by recent high rainfall and landslips, as well as increased traffic needs flowing from flourishing population growth in the region.
The day-one visit to the critical marginal seat of Gilmore shows the Coalition's confidence and keenness to take it back after one term with Labor. Held by Fiona Phillips by a margin of just 2.6 per cent, it is being contested for the Liberals by former NSW transport minister Andrew Constance - a man not shy of criticising Mr Morrison in the past over inadequacies in his government's bushfire response.
Heading into the South Coast region on Monday, Mr Morrison said he would be thrilled to have Mr Constance on his team.
"Backing the Shoalhaven has always been a key priority for my government and with Andrew Constance on my team, we can keep getting things done for this important region," the Prime Minister said in a statement.
"Andrew's work as transport minister ensured the South Coast got the local upgrades they needed at a state level, and his advocacy has ensured this $40 million investment will be delivered if our government is re-elected."
Mr Morrison said residents and visitors to the Shoalhaven would benefit from the local road infrastructure package which includes $8 million to upgrade Forest Road, east from the Princes Highway, $5 million for the Callala Beach Road, $6 million for Callala Bay Road and $14 million for Culburra Road between Wollumboola and Culburra Beach.
There is also $5 million for an intersection at Worrigee and $2 million for an intersection just outside of Callala Bay.
Funding will be provided to Shoalhaven City Council to support their works program, according to the government's re-election pledge.
Mr Constance said local residents and the council had identified priority upgrade needs.
"Local communities across our region know that I'll always go into bat for them - that's my track record as a state member and what I want to keep delivering for Gilmore," he said.
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