Liberal candidate for Kiama, Serena Copley, has taken aim at the NSW Government over delays in the long-awaited Nowra By-Pass with the former Shoalhaven Councillor saying it was another reason why Labor “plans to plan” rather than getting projects done.

Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Roads Natalie Ward joined Copley in Bomaderry on Thursday morning to reiterate their belief that the local community deserves to know why this project is nowhere near close to completion.

“The Nowra Bypass is the next vital stage for the Princes Highway and for the South Coast,” Ward said.

“Commuters, families, freight operators and local tourism have waited long enough. Labor has failed to provide any delivery funding, just more words, more promises, and more delays.”

Ward said that under the former Liberal government, there was record investment in the Princes Highway with major projects delivered for the Nowra Bridge Project, the Albion Park Rail Bypass, and the Foxground and Berry Bypass.

“These projects transformed communities and cut travel times. The Liberals delivered because we back communities here in Kiama and throughout the South Coast. That’s the difference between the Liberal Party and Labor – we build, they talk,” she added.

“Now on the eve of a by-election Labor expect locals to ignore their neglect for the region, they shouldn’t be rewarded for their inaction and lack of vision.”

Copley said $105 million was allocated in 2023 for planning work on the Nowra Bypass.

But no delivery commitment has been given or funding allocated so it could be decades away from becoming a reality, if it ever happens.

“The people of the South Coast know the truth, Labor talk big before an election, and then afterwards projects are pushed into the never never,” she said.

“There’s no vision, no funding, and no urgency from Labor at any level of government, but particularly from the Minns Labor Government.

“Labor has lots of smoke and mirrors, lots of talk, lots of talk of planning, but it's been crickets and there's no action. We absolutely need to get this project happening.”

Copley said the traffic through Nowra had been bad for decades and it was only getting worse.

“I was just chatting to some locals this morning and we were saying at peak tourist times, we all plan our day to avoid going into town because we know we're going to get stuck in the traffic. That's not a way to live your life,” she said.

“Our community needs certainty about how this project is going to be moving forward and Labor just keep saying, we're planning, we're planning. They're planning to plan and that doesn't give us anything.

“There's no timelines, there's not even any feedback on where the proposed route is. t's just this magical mystery tour by Labor.”