An Albanese Labor Government will deliver significant new investment in roads and infrastructure to benefit residents in the Hawkesbury, Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman has said.

A total of $37 million will be delivered for Richmond Road planning, and an additional $75 million will finalise planning and commence initial construction of Bandon Road, Ms Templeman said.

“Getting these corridors planned and built will make our roads safer and get people home sooner,” Ms Templeman said.

“Labor will also provide $50 million for planning and preparatory works for the Castlereagh Connection. In line with the NSW Government’s decision in 2018, the works will stop at Castlereagh Road.

“Labor will also match the Government’s $11.2 million announcement to upgrade Hawkesbury roads, but unlike them our commitment to improving local infrastructure will not be a one-off – it will continue outside of an election period.

“These roads projects are in addition to the Richmond Bridge duplication project, which will see $400 million worth of federal funding invested.

“I heard the community’s concerns about cross-river congestion 12 years ago, and this duplication project is high on Labor’s priority list.

“We would expect open and transparent consultation with the community, by the NSW Government, to determine the route.

“Whatever route the NSW Government chooses in relation to this project needs to be a more flood resilient one.

“Building a bridge that offers no additional access when water levels rise is a waste of time and a waste of money.

“An Albanese Labor Government will ensure that the infrastructure we build can meet our needs not just now but into the future.”

Labor will also provide additional funding for councils to upgrade roads and infrastructure.

“We will extend the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program to allow more priority projects to be funded and more local roads to be upgraded,” Ms Templeman said.

Based on the highly successful Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program introduced by Labor during the Global Financial Crisis, the LRCI Program delivers funding directly to councils to undertake local priority projects, upgrading infrastructure and supporting jobs growth across communities.

“Councils do great work, but many simply don’t have the resources to upgrade the assets they’re responsible for,” Ms Templeman said.

“That’s why an Albanese Labor Government will give them the support they need, partnering with councils across the country to upgrade local roads.”

Ms Templeman said the politics will also be taken out of infrastructure planning in Western Sydney under a Labor government by establishing an expert panel to look at the region’s needs and report ahea