“THE community has seen 20 accidents in 20 months. It’s dangerous and it needs fixing.”
The argument to upgrade the Valla Beach intersection is simple, and it is one Oxley MP Michael Kemp has taken to the Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison and Transport for NSW (TfNSW) for the past 14 months.
Yet Tuesday’s State Budget failed to deliver the funds needed to upgrade the one-kilometre stretch between Giinagay Way and Valla Beach Road.
“My pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” Mr Kemp told News Of The Area.
“I’m extremely disappointed that there hasn’t been funding prioritised in this budget for that intersection.
“I’ve stated clearly to the Minister and Transport for NSW – on multiple occasions – that it is a known problem and we need to do something about it.”
Mr Kemp echoed criticism of how little was committed to regional communities, with the bulk of road infrastructure spending going to Western and North West Sydney.
“I know that’s a bit of a political statement, but there is very, very little outside of Sydney – virtually nothing outside of Newcastle and Wollongong.”
The Budget included ongoing funding for existing infrastructure projects, including construction of the Coffs Harbour Bypass and safety upgrades to Waterfall Way.
A summary of what the 2025-2026 NSW Budget delivered for the Nambucca Valley, Bellingen, Coffs Harbour and Kempsey local government areas can be found at budget.nsw.gov.au/2025-26/budget-papers/regional-nsw#north-coast.
By Sue STEPHENSON
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