Premier opens new hot bitumen facility set to help build NSW roads

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Roads & Freight Duncan Gay today officially opened a new state-of-the-art importation hot bitumen facility, which will help to deliver key road projects across NSW.

Mr Baird said construction of the Shell Bitumen facility in Port Botany means the company now has capability to supply all NSW bitumen grades that will meet NSW road specifications required by Roads and Maritime Services, and other customers.

“This is an exciting investment that will directly benefit NSW by helping to us to deliver better roads, while bringing more jobs to the State and boosting our economy,” Mr Baird said.

“The NSW Government is committed to rebuilding NSW and this new world-class facility is helping us do just that.

“Since 2011, the NSW Government has embarked on the biggest road building program in the State’s history to tackle congestion and make our roads safer.

“Up until now the bitumen has been coming from Victoria and Queensland. The good news is that this new plant will produce and supply the bitumen right here in NSW, to directly benefit motorists across the State,” said Mr Baird.

“This plant is now making the bitumen for some of our key infrastructure projects including Camden Valley Way in Western Sydney and the Princes Highway upgrades underway in the Illawarra.

Mr Baird said the new facility will also provide a boost to jobs and productivity.

“During the construction of the facility almost 200 people were employed at any one time and thousands more jobs will be created during the construction of these roads.

“An efficient and effective road network is also key to our State’s economic growth and productivity, as these new roads reduce travel times and enable more efficient freight movements around the State.”

Mr Gay said the facility will directly contribute to the State’s road resurfacing and reconstruction programs.

“Today, we have more than 4,000 projects on the go across the state, including starting construction next year to build Australia’s largest motorway project – WestConnex.

“To feed these projects, we need bitumen and tonnes of it. I’m delighted to see that this bitumen is already going to some of our key projects.

“This impressive development is further proof that leasing our ports has encouraged additional private investment in our great State. Private sector funding for infrastructure is flowing again.

“By attracting more of Australia’s leading companies to NSW we are helping create more jobs, boosting the economy and reducing travel times to and from work for motorists,” Mr Gay said.