Myall Lakes Electorate Funding

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-104207

Hansard session: Fifty-Sixth Parliament, First Session (56-1)

Myall Lakes Electorate Funding

Mr STEPHEN BROMHEAD (Myall Lakes) (17:10:04):

I inform the House of events and announcements in the Myall Lakes electorate. Recently I attended the Forster Police Station for the opening and cutting of the ribbon for the extension to the station. This is a $2.3 million project, which includes new cells, a new prisoner loading dock, storage, and other facilities. It is state of the art. That work was undertaken because Taree Police Station will be demolished and a new police station will be built. Somewhere was needed with a greater facility to house prisoners. Later the same week I went to Taree Police Station, where I joined Superintendent Shane Cribb, Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell, and others, to turn the sod on a $16 million build, something that the police have very much been looking forward to. They are pleased and excited with the plans of what will be delivered.

In the same week I went to the Manning Base Hospital for an inspection and tour of stage 1 of the redevelopment of the hospital. We cut the ribbon on the first part of the stage 1 redevelopment, which includes a new oncology unit and renal dialysis unit. The Neeta Reed Community Dialysis Centre in Taree will be moved to the hospital. I am pleased to say the new dialysis unit at the hospital will continue to be named after Neeta Reed, an advocate for renal services in the Manning for many years.

The car parks had already been opened as the first part of stage 1. Another $20 million had previously been announced for the construction of the floor above, enabling the medical imaging department to be moved there. That is a total of $40 million for stage 1. Of course, I am now fighting for funding for stage 2, which is really needed at the hospital. I am also fighting for funding to upgrade the mental health unit at the Manning Base Hospital. I have been to Wingham Tennis Club and announced $94,000 of funding to upgrade the lighting there. It is a great little club at Wingham, which is the commercial hub and centre of the Upper Manning for the population in the hinterland.

At Taree Showground I announced $151,000 in funding for stage 2 of the cattle pavilion and to upgrade the electrical system. Stage 1 has been delivered at a cost of approximately $130,000. On completion of stage 2 the cattle pavilion will become a multipurpose undercover area. The weekend before last I attended the 140th anniversary of the Wingham Show at the Taree Showground. Even though the weather was not the best the crowds were good, and nobody begrudged the rain that fell during the show. I was pleased to announce $133,000 of funding for the Cundletown Football Club to upgrade their lighting. This will not only help the Jets but also the cricket club that uses the facility. Twilight cricket is popular in the Manning and this upgrade provides another facility. The women's soccer team won the competition last year and was runner-up this year. They did that notwithstanding the women's competition is played at night. They have never played a home game because of insufficient lighting at the grounds, which will now be upgraded. That is a really good news for them.

I also announced for Peter Barclay Sports Fields, Tuncurry, funding of $114,000 for security fencing. This is for about four fields in total where touch football, rugby league, rugby union and school sports are played. Occasionally hoodlums get into the fields and churn up the ground. The security fencing will also make the area safe so when families go there the children will be kept within a secured area. I also visited the NSW State Emergency Service at Wingham where I handed over a $5,000 grant towards an Arkangel raft. This is really important for the community. I note the time. These are really good announcements and there will be more to come next week.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (17:15:12):½

I congratulate the member for Myall Lakes for his outstanding work over the past 7 years in delivering for his local community—for example, $16 million for the Taree Police Station and the stage 1 upgrade to Manning Base Hospital. Every Thursday the member for Myall Lakes makes a contribution to private members' statements. He is always campaigning for upgrades to Manning Base Hospital—a bit like myself at St George Hospital, as the member for Kogarah would acknowledge. At the end of the day only the Liberals and The Nationals will invest in schools, hospitals and community upgrades, unlike those opposite. I congratulate the member for Myall Lakes for his wonderful service.