There were no surprises in the NSW Budget for the Myall Lakes electorate, and no money for the painting of Martin Bridge in Taree.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Previously announced funding towards the ongoing redevelopment of Manning Hospital and the Taree Police Station upgrade secure a mention in the 2018-19 NSW Budget. This financial year the government will spend $9,092,000 on works at Manning Hospital and $10,719,000 will kick start works on the Taree Police Station upgrade.
Old Bar Public School is listed on the NSW Budget website, however, no funds have been allocated to the project in this financial year.
Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead took to social media after the NSW Budget speech to share, “Congratulations to treasurer Dominic Perrottet MP on the 2018-19 Budget speech. Taking some time to review the Budget documents. It’s very satisfying to be part of a government who is delivering for the people of Myall Lakes."
Recent maintenance work on Martin Bridge in Taree “in preparation for future painting work”, according to the NSW government, had raised community expectation that funding would be allocated in this year’s budget to give the 77-year-old bridge a new coat of paint. The NSW government provided $750,000 in 2017-18 budget for bridge maintenance and it was hoped the 2018-19 budget would have dollars for painting.
Earlier this month in response to questions from the Manning River Times, a spokesperson for Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) advised “the painting of the bridge is a complex and specialised project.”
“Due to its long length and narrow width, conventional painting methods will not be possible and investigations are being carried out to determine the most cost effective, time efficient and least disruptive way to paint the bridge which is expected to start next year.”
The Manning River Times asked on June 5 “Is funding to paint Martin Bridge set aside in the NSW Government budget? If so, which budget and how much?” The RMS did not provide a response to the question in its reply on June 6.
To our north, member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams quickly acted to announce a $5 million commitment toward an $11.5 million expansion of the Port Macquarie Base Hospital car park.
“Today’s funding announcement which will see land purchased and the existing car park reconfigured will ensure staff and visitors can easily find a parking spot at the hospital,” Mrs Williams said.
“There is also additional funding of $2.6 million for the ongoing construction of the new mental health unit at Port Macquarie Base Hospital.
“The new mental health unit will double the number of mental health beds and enhance the care provided to all patients including improving the capacity to provide care to older and younger persons.”
To the west, $11.65 million has been allocated for the road realignment of the Oxley Highway at Spencers Cutting. In the south of the electorate, $3.2 million has been allocated for road and maritime service improvements including $238,000 to construct 200m of elevated boardwalk in the Camden Haven. These budget allocations are on top of the earlier announcement of $1.1 million in funding toward the planning for a new police station for Port Macquarie.
In the Kempsey region, member for Oxley Melinda Pavey claims the budget has delivered more than it has in the past to the Oxley region.
The NSW government has allocated $1.5 million for a new police and fire station at South West Rocks, $1 million for the commencement of planning for a new bridge in Kempsey, $7.5 million for walking tracks across the Macleay and $500,000 for the Kempsey PCYC.
State-wide announcements include:
- The NSW Government will invest $285 million to deliver 100,000 free apprenticeships, as part of a skills and training package that will allow the State to develop a skilled workforce that meets the needs of industry and fuels continued job opportunities for the people of NSW.
- A new $100 Creative Kids rebate will allow young people to experience cultural and learning activities outside of school and help ease cost of living pressure for parents.
- The NSW Government has also announced a suite of measures to support small business including reductions to payroll tax and red tape in the construction sector.
- NSW will be the first state in Australia to provide access for all children to attend two years of preschool, saving families an average of $825 a year and boosting access to early childhood education.
- Vulnerable children and families, those at risk of homelessness and victims of domestic violence and sexual assault will be better protected and supported with a $6.8 billion investment in the FACS cluster that will help them improve their lives and build their future.