State Matters
Don Page
Member for Ballina
Ballina bypass to start
On Friday, December 23, the Ballina community received an early Christmas present.
Federal Roads Minister Jim Lloyd and NSW Roads Minister Joe Tripodi announced that the Ballina bypass had been fully funded, with construction set to start as soon as possible.
Mr Lloyd and Mr Tripodi said $271 million of a new $960 million works project, jointly funded by the state and federal governments, will be used to completely fund the Ballina bypass.
In a joint media release, Mr Lloyd said the Ballina bypass was "an engineering challenge, not a funding issue".
Mr Lloyd said building the Ballina bypass would be technically difficult to build and it would be a further six to seven years before a bypass could be completed across the soft soils of the Richmond River floodplain.
However, he said 20 of the 38 properties required for the bypass had been bought at market rates and the process of acquiring the remaining properties would be accelerated to allow construction to start as soon as possible.
Ballina is the only large town between Coffs Harbour and the Queensland border not to be bypassed. In the past funding has been the problem, but now we are advised this is not the case, which is great news for Ballina.
It is a just reward for the lobbying that has occurred at a local level to see the project advanced. Route selection started in the late 1990s and ministerial approval for the selected route was given in May 2003.
It has been a long process, but Ballina is finally set to get the bypass it needs.
Inquiry into highway upgrades
The Parliamentary Inquiry into Pacific Highway upgrades has recommended the State Government commission a cost/benefit study of the inland route between Tyagarah and Grafton.
The cost/benefit study was one of nine recommendations made by the Interim Report of the Parliamentary Inquiry into the upgrades from Tintenbar to Ewingsdale and Woodburn to Ballina.
The Inquiry recommended the cost/benefit study for the inland route between Tyagarah and Grafton incorporating the Summerland Way be conducted independently of the RTA and provide a basis for comparison with the RTA's current options for upgrading the Pacific Highway.
Importantly, the announcement of the complete funding for the Ballina bypass allays any fears the inland route could make the Ballina bypass less of a priority.
The recommendations also provided constructive policy direction for the RTA in relation to the process of determining preferred routes.
The Inquiry has recommended the RTA substantially improve its community consultation process through methods such as forewarning residents of route options and preferred route announcements and providing comprehensive information to all affected residents.
Recommendations also suggest reforming Community Liaison Groups (CLGs) to become more transparent and that the RTA develop a Policy and Procedures Manual for all future highway upgrades.
Other recommendations include the RTA reviewing its process for expanding the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale study area and publicising both the rationale for expanding the study area and the relevant documentation, and that the NSW Government establish a working party to explore ways to expedite the payment of financial compensation to property owners whose land has been acquired.
Importantly, the Inquiry also found that the State Government should consider establishing a Property Value Guarantee Scheme to assist people whose properties are very close to a preferred route but who are not eligible for financial compensation.
The two remaining recommendations stated that the RTA recognise the significance of 'State Significant' farmland and avoid including it in route options and that 'Regionally Significant' farmland be a substantial constraint in developing route options, and that the RTA ensure the various levels of surveys undertaken during the planning process are clearly explained to the community.
The recommendations represent an important voice involved with the upgrade of the highway - the community members and residents who made submissions and had their say before the Inquiry. It is vital the State Government looks to implement these recommendations in their entirety.
The Interim Report is available online at http://www.parliament. nsw.gov.au by clicking the Committees link and selecting General Purpose Standing Committee No 4.
Ballina rehab and transitory care units
Ballina Shire Council has approved the development application for an 18-bed transitory care unit and 24-bed rehabilitation unit at Ballina District Hospital.
Council expedited the DA in a period of one month and I thank them for such a rapid approval process.
Funding for the $4.8 million transitory care unit has also been approved, with $2 million from the Commonwealth Government and $2.8 million from the State Government. The transitory care unit will provide homelike units catering for people generally aged 60 to 70 years old who have had an acute care episode but can be kept out of a nursing home through transitory care prior to returning home.
2006 Premier's Seniors Week gala concerts
The dates for the 2006 Premier's Seniors Week Gala Concert series to be held in April have been finalised. Two concerts will be held on Monday, April 3, 2006 - one at 10.30am and another at 2.30pm, at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
The concert series is always a popular production and those who have attended in previous years have commented on what an enjoyable experience it is.
Those interested in attending either concert can contact my office for tickets.
Office contacts.
Phone: 6686 7522
Fax: 6686 7470
Address: PO Box 1018,
Ballina, NSW, 2478
Email: Don.Page@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Thomas George
Member for Lismore
2006
I hope everyone enjoyed the festive season, gathering with family and friends. Celebrations of the new year appeared to be relatively peaceful and I trust the ensuing year ahead will continue in this manner for the benefit of us all.
Local students
Congratulations to the many students who completed the HSC last year - what a great accomplishment. Some of you would be now preparing for further studies, job opportunities and embarking on new adventures. I would like to wish you all well in your future endeavours and trust that you all follow your chosen journey into careers and adult life with zest and determination. For those pursuing employment, the following website may be useful: www.jobs.nsw.gov.au and select 'NSW Government jobs'.
No New Year love from Labor
When the clock struck midnight on Sunday it signalled a raft of tax increases:
1. A land tax increase. A $450,000 valuation will attract $2140 in land tax in 2006, up 18.89 per cent from $1800 payable in 2005.
2. An increase in bus fares of up to seven per cent starting January 3.
3. An increase in ferry fares starting January 3.
4. TAFE fees to rise by an average 3.14 per cent.
5. Snow skiers and boarders will pay $22 to access Kosciuszko National Park - up 37.50 per cent from $16 in 2005.
6. A National Park annual pass to cost $190 in October 2006, up 31.03 per cent from $145 in 2005.
7. RTA registration fees to rise. A Commodore will cost $362 to register in 2006, up 2.26 per cent from $354 in 2005.
8. A billion dollar turnaround in the budget, with a half billion dollar deficit in 06/07.
9. More money towards a wasteful and unwanted $1.3 billion desalination plant.
Taxpayers are again being slugged for Labor's economic vandalism and incompetence. In his limited time as premier, Morris Iemma has levied at least $700 million of new taxes to try and plug the budget black hole and that trend is set to continue into the new year. Despite 10 years of record revenues, services are being slashed and infrastructure is crumbling.
School holiday activities
The following links provide information for kids and details of activities for them to participate in during the festive break: www.fishnkids.dpi.nsw.gov.au and www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/holidays/h_kidscamps.asp.
Also, the Kids' Active Getaway Camp (January 9-13 for seven to 12-year-olds) and Junior Surf Camp (January 9-11 for eight to 12-year-olds) with both camps conducted at Lake Ainsworth.
The Lake Ainsworth Kids' Club is also a great school holiday idea. It's jam-packed with fun activities especially for eight to 12-year-olds. Get up and get active with a great range of things to do including abseiling, canoeing, bushwalking, swimming and lots more. It runs daily from January 16-20 and from January 23-27. The cost is $30 per day or $25 if more than one child from the same family attends or for a child attending for more than one day. If you would like more information about these programs or would like to make a booking phone 6687 7168.
State Representative Awards
The State Government has instituted an award to recognise people who reach state representative level in any field. Candidates of any age who have succeeded in a competitive field such as dance, music, sport, the arts or academically, and are now representing the state of NSW nationally or internationally, may apply for the award. For info and an application forms visit www.premiers.nsw.gov.au/our_library/protocol/InfoSheetStateAward.doc.
Woodenbong School visit
I thoroughly enjoyed joining with the school communities of both the primary and secondary sectors. It gave me great pleasure to take advantage of the opportunity and present a oneoff grant of $200 provided by Sandra Nori, Minister for Sport & Recreation. These funds were used to enable the Woodenbong Central School Open Boys Rugby League team to travel to Dubbo for the Central Schools State Championships. I was disappointed, due to Parliament being recalled in December, in not being able to be present at the Tregeagle and Casino Public schools end of year presentations.
Office contacts
Phone: 6621 3624
Fax: 6622 1403
Address: PO Box 52,
Lismore, NSW, 2480
Email: lismore@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.thomasgeorge.com.au
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