PORT Stephens has seen more than its share of announcements about State Government funded projects over the past weeks with commitments for over $18 million dollars being pledged.

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The funds are, eight million dollars for Tomaree Community Hospital’s OneHealth project, one million dollars Tea Gardens Police Station, and now adding 6.7 million for the Tomaree Coastal Walk, three million dollars for the Koala Hospital and $30,000 for Medowie Public School OSH Care.

Councillor Jaimie Abbott told News Of The Area, “This is a great commitment from the Berejiklian Government, this funding is 2018/19 Budget announcements, with the funds allocated for the next financial year.”

She believes that the Tomaree Coastal Walk will be completed over a four year period.

“These are not promises – they are secured, allocated funds.”

Also counting their cash are the Raymond Terrace Soccer Club who have a $2,800 cheque in their hands.

The State Government spending on the $1 million dollar upgrades to Apex Park and Robinson Reserve is already under way and will continue into the future.

The $810,000 Hunter courts video and evidence upgrades are completed spending – the Attorney-General visited Raymond Terrace Court House to officially open the recently completed work.

The $3 million koala hospital funds are being released to Port Stephens Council.

“Everyone benefits from these investments that make Port Stephens a safer, more family-friendly community and enhances our special recreational opportunities and love of sport.”

Councillor Abbott felt that it is hard to choose the most important investment being made in Port Stephens at present “The Koala Hospital is iconic and will preserve our beloved koalas and ensure volunteers have the resources they need, it’s a very special project, and making the coastal walk more accessible and safe for those who struggle on difficult tracks will be a fantastic experience for nature-loving locals who have been missing out.” she said.

Councillor Abbott has also made strong representations in relation to the fulfillment of the $70 million pledge to upgrade Nelson Bay Road and to plan the Fingal Link Road.

Mayor Ryan Palmer said, “Across Port Stephens a lot of projects that we as a Council have been advocating for in the time I have been at Council are now becoming a reality through the state government working with us.

“Two years ago I sat down with the State Government and Nelson Bay and Port Stephens wasn’t on the radar, we can see now that we are well and truly on the radar,” he said.

By Marian SAMPSON