Local Government News

Don Page
State Matters

Leaders visit

On a recent visit to the Ballina electorate at my invitation, the NSW Opposition Leaders, John Brogden (State Liberal Party) and Andrew Stoner (State Nationals) called on the Carr Government to get on with construction of the Ballina Bypass.

Had the Labor Government kept its original commitment made in the 1997 Roads and Traffic Authority Annual Report, motorists would be driving on the Ballina Bypass by the end of this year.

Funding for the 12.5km Ballina Bypass project is a State responsibility under the existing 10-year Pacific Highway Agreement (1996-2006), but Labor has continuously failed to commit the funds necessary to build it. In fact, Mr Carr's recent $100 million cut to the Roads Budget saw him again postpone the Ballina Bypass project for another 12 months. Unfortunately while Labor delays, people continue to be killed on this notorious stretch of the Pacific Highway.

As the recent visit highlighted, the federal Government has committed funding for half the cost of the bypass and it is now up to the Carr Government to come up with the other half.

Ballina MP Don Page did his bit for Pollies for Small Business
day last Wednesday at the AUR Supermarket in East Ballina, where he helped Rod Colbeck unload a truck.

Pokies tax impact

This week the Labor Government's additional pokies tax will come into effect. After having discussions with local clubs, I am very concerned about the impact the new pokies tax will have on employment, the local community and sporting organisations.

Most local clubs have small profit margins and will have to lay off staff, increase meal prices and/or reduce sponsorship in the community to meet the additional tax. Clubs are not privately operated businesses. Their profits get reinvested in club facilities for the local community or become donations to assist local community groups, individuals or sporting organisations.

As a result of the Carr Government's increases in pokies taxes we will once again see local money going to Macquarie Street, not staying in the local community.

Farmland protection project

Until the end of September draft maps and planning rules for the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources are on display at local Council offices as well as on the Internet at www.iplan.nsw.gov.au.

The project is examining the best methods for protecting local farmland for future use by addressing issues such as residential sprawl and land-use conflicts. The Department is seeking input on the project and I encourage those with an interest in this issue to view the maps and planning rules before the end of September.

Brunswick to Yelgun upgrade

Readers who use the Pacific Highway to travel to South-East Queensland will be pleased to hear of progress on the Brunswick Heads to Yelgun section of the Pacific Highway upgrade.

Contracts for construction will be awarded by the end of this year with actual work on the upgrade anticipated to commence in March 2005.

I am advised by the RTA that this section of road (8.6 km of dual carriageway) will take around two years to build and therefore it is anticipated the project will be completed in early 2007.

The project involves the duplication of the existing Brunswick Heads Bypass and construction of a cantilever bridge (4 lanes for highway traffic and two lanes for local traffic).

The project is jointly funded by the NSW State and Federal Government under the 10-year Pacific Highway Upgrading Program in NSW.

I can be contacted by writing to PO Box 1018, Ballina 2478 or by telephoning my Electorate Office on 6686 7522 or faxing 6686 7470. For those on-line my e-mail address is Don.Page@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Thomas George
Canberra Connection

Train hopes

I had the pleasure of attending a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, Richmond MP Larry Anthony and Page MP Ian Causley ensuring funding arrangements for the reinstatement of the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line were in the best interests of local communities.

The roundtable meeting at the Tweed Shire Chambers with local mayors and state Parliamentarians from the North Coast was to discuss the Commonwealth's commitment to the line and canvas the way ahead for trains on the branch line.

The Australian Government had offered $15 million on the table to immediately get the train running and a further $15 million next year, but would negotiate future funding with the NSW Transport Minister with realistic futures and operational plans.

I want to see the rail workers keep their jobs and a train running on the line as soon as possible - we do not want to wait until the election. At the end of the day this is a State responsibility and Minister Costa closed the line. Now that the federal Government has made this promise, I call on and challenge Minister Costa to reinstate our service from Casino to Murwillumbah immediately.

Health advice

The Rt Hon Ian Sinclair and Wendy McCarthy will be in Lismore on September 8 at Invercauld House, from 11am to 12.30pm, to conduct consultations with clinicians and the community about;

• The functions of the proposed Area Health Advisory Councils (AHAC);
• The composition and operation of the proposed AHAC;
• How the functions and operatives of the proposed AHAC will assist in ensuring that the principles of consumer and community participation;
• Exploring the linkages between existing Area clinicians, consumer and community participation structures and the proposed Area Health Advisory Councils, and;
• The ongoing role of the Health Participation Council given the changes to statewide and Area clinical an community participation structures.

Further information can be obtained from the health website www.health.nsw.gov.au or through my office. Submissions can be sent to The Director-General, NSW Health, Locked Bag 961 North Sydney 2059, faxed to 9424 5888 or emailed to particiation@doh.health.nsw.gov.au.

Herb Festival

I attended the very successful Herb Festival recently which was a credit to festival coordinator Jenny de Greenlaw and her wonderful team of helpers. Many people took advantage of the great weather to soak up the sunshine, savour the tastes of our local eateries, and enjoy the tremendous local produce and products that were available at the festival.

Lismore parking

It has been brought to my attention that some concerns have been raised that the length of existing parking time limits within the CBD are not adequate for those who are less mobile.

I understand that generally time limits radiated out in length from the centre of the CBD, due to the higher demand for parking close to the shops. It was noted that anyone with a mobility problem may apply to the RTA to obtain a mobility parking permit.

This permit allows the holder to park their vehicle in areas where the parking is limited by more that 20 minutes for an unlimited time, and additional time for any limit less than 30 minutes as well.

Seniors Week

"The best time for ages!" is the theme for the 2005 Seniors Week program. The aim of the program is to assist the development and/or organisation of local Seniors Week Projects and activities held between March 13 and 30 next year. Copies of application forms and accompanying funding application handbooks are available from my office.

Following Seniors Week 2004, DADHC undertook a review of the Seniors Week Grants Program in consultation with key stakeholders including local government, peak aging bodies and the Premier's Department. This review recommended that the following changes be implemented. In 2005, there will be two funding categories available in the Seniors Week Grants Program:

1. Up to $500 - applicants may apply for any amount up to $500; this does not need to be matched.
2. $1,000 - this is a set amount and must be matched in cash or in-kind.

Applications will close at 5pm on 24 September 2004, with all applicants informed of a decision in early December 2004.

JP reappointments

I have received notification from the Attorney General that the rate of incompleted reappointment applications is significantly high.

Please carefully read the instructions to ensure your reappointment application is lodged in full. The turn around time for an application to be finalised is currently four to five months. An existing JP will only be prohibited from performing JP services during the period between reappointment and the swearing of the oaths of office. Reappointment only occurs when all background and criminal checks have been finalised and the person's appointment is made by the Governor.

Electoral Roll

With the Federal Election announced for October 9, it is timely to advise of recent amendments to the Commonwealth Electoral Act. Electors can now verify their enrolment online through the Australian Electoral Commission's (AEC) website at www.aec.gov.au. Furthermore, electors may still confirm their enrolment by contacting 13 23 26.

I welcome and invite your feedback in relation to any of the above matters, please do not hesitate to contact my office regarding any matters on (ph) 6621 3624, (f) 6622 1403, by writing to PO Box 52 Lismore, e-mail; thomas.george@parliament.nsw.gov.au or www.thomasgeorge.com.au