The state Labor Party has failed to match a major funding commitment for the Princes Highway south of Nowra.
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On Wednesday morning, the Liberal and National parties pledged $960 million to highway upgrades between Falls Creek and Moruya.
Labor has baulked at Premier Gladys Berejikian challenge to do the same and dispatched a press release critical of the LNP's timing.
"After waiting eight years, and after more than 1500 serious crashes, the Berejiklian Liberal and National Government have made another hollow pledge to upgrade the Princes Highway with two weeks to go before the state election," the statement said.
"Andrew Constance has been the member for Bega for 16 years, and a minister in this government for eight, and he has consistently ignored pleas from local communities all along the South Coast to get rid of black spots and ease congestion."
The press statement continued with scathing comments by NSW Shadow Treasurer Ryan Park, who attended a community forum about essential highway upgrades held in St Georges Basin in November.
“This announcement is from a government playing with monopoly money,” Mr Park said.
“It contains more vague promises to ‘start planning’ some sections.
“We don’t know when the money will be allocated – and if their record over the last eight years is anything to go by, it could be just in time for the 2023 election.
“There is no indication about what the government will actually do for the South Coast beyond ‘sections’ of the highway.
“Their talk about spending $15 billion over the next 20 years is pie in the sky.
“The local community have been waiting in traffic for years and know this is another smoke and mirrors announcement.”
His comments come after the completion of the duplication of the highway between Gerringong to Toolijooa in 2015, the completion of the Berry Bypass project in 2017 the South Nowra upgrade, Burrill Lake bridge finished in 2018, Termeil Creek bridge finished in 2019 and amid duplication of the Princes Highway between Berry and Bomaderry, all funded by the state government.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward scoffed at Labor's statement.
"Money talks, bullshit walks," he said.
