This week I return to Parliament, which will sit for three weeks this month. It will be a busy and intensive three weeks as the ‘bear pit’ of Australian politics continues to get into full swing.
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The last two weeks saw me speak in the House a series of matters, including Resources for Regions, job creation in the Upper Hunter and New South Wales, and funding for Registered Clubs. I also tabled two digest from Parliament’s Legislation Review Committee, which I chair.
I would like to thank you for the feedback I have received from the electorate on the issues that matter to you all, and which you believe should be considered for being be raised in Parliament.
Should you wish to view the State Parliament and its deliberations online, then visit http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/. State Parliament will sit every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday for the next few weeks.
- The Dungog local government area was one of the hardest hit areas in Upper Hunter Electorate during April 2015’s wild weather, which sadly included loss of life for some residents. The area’s recovery has been slow but sure, and now Dungog is truly getting on its feet again.
This week I joined the Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay and Member for the to announce that work is complete on a new permanent Torryburn Bridge over the Allyn River which will provide safer access for residents travelling to and from Torryburn.
It has taken less than a year to build this road bridge – and we’ve managed to complete it a month ahead of schedule. After the old road bridge collapsed and was washed away during the devastating Hunter storms in April last year, many residents in Torryburn were cut off from surrounding communities such as Dungog, Vacy and Gresford.
It was imperative a new and stronger road bridge was built as soon as possible so the NSW Government fast tracked $2.6 million in natural disaster funding to assist the Dungog Shire Council in repairing and rebuilding affected roads and bridges The new road bridge is testament to the support the NSW Government, surrounding communities and local organisations have provided.
$1.1 million for an emergency access track, $1.5 million for a new permanent Torryburn Bridge, and a temporary pedestrian bridge was provided to support affected residents.
The new road bridge is still a single lane bridge, but is wider, improving safety for all motorists and trucks, using this bridge daily.
