- Home
- Hansard & Papers
- Legislative Assembly
- 10 May 2007
North Coast Election Results
Printing Tips |
Print selected text
| Full Day Hansard Transcript
« Prior Item |
Item 29 of 47
| Next Item »
About this Item
Speakers - Page Mr Donald
Business - Private Members Statements
|
Page: 264
Mr DONALD PAGE (Ballina) [4.35 p.m.]: An issue of great concern within the Ballina electorate is the New South Wales Iemma Government's disregard for the far North Coast's need of infrastructure, and services in particular. At the 24 March poll, the people of the Ballina electorate, and indeed the people of the North Coast, sent this Labor Government a clear message. That message was, "Lift your game—and do it quickly!" Labor lost the seat of Tweed to The Nationals Geoff Provost, and in all North Coast electorates there was a significant swing away from Labor to The Nationals. There was a 5.1 per cent swing to The Nationals in Ballina, a 7.1 per cent swing to The Nationals in Tweed, a 2.3 per cent swing to The Nationals in Lismore, a 5.6 per cent swing to The Nationals in Coffs Harbour and a 6.5 per cent swing to The Nationals in Clarence. Despite these results, the New South Wales Labor Government continues to ignore the needs of the North Coast.
Importantly the New South Wales Government has failed to appoint a Minister for the North Coast. This Labor Government has a Minister for the Illawarra, a Minister for the Hunter, a Minister for the Central Coast, a Minister for Redfern-Waterloo and a Minister for Western Sydney, yet the North Coast continues to be overlooked. The North Coast has experienced rapid population increases over many years. As a result the area has specific needs. The region needs someone at the Cabinet table who understands those needs. The New South Wales Coalition's election policy was to appoint a Minister for the North Coast to give our area the attention it deserves. Accordingly the shadow Cabinet includes a shadow Minister for the North Coast, and I was appointed to that role. However, despite the obvious need for Cabinet representation, the Labor Government continues to ignore the North Coast. For example, issues that deserve urgent government attention in Ballina are the need for both an Alstonville and Byron Bay bypass.
In the case of the Alstonville bypass, this Government's record is disgraceful. Unfortunately, under the New South Wales Labor Government, this important project has been overlooked and delayed repeatedly. The former Premier, Mr Carr, promised in writing in 2003 that his Government would commence construction of the Alstonville bypass that year and that it would be completed by the end of 2006. He stated in March 2003 and again in June of the same year that construction funding was available from the Roads and Traffic Authority's forward capital works program. Within six months after winning the 2003 election, the Labor Government reneged on its written promise. Now we hear Labor blaming the Federal Government's AusLink Program but I point out that that program was not implemented until 2005, which is well after Labor broke its written commitment that was given in March 2003.
In 2007, no money has been allocated for construction of the Alstonville bypass. At this stage only planning and land acquisition have occurred. In contrast to that, the Liberal-Nationals Coalition election policy was to fast-track the construction of the Alstonville bypass and construction would have commenced this year. With the re-election of the Labor Government, I call on the Premier and the Minister for Roads to pay attention to the needs of the Alstonville community and commence construction on the Alstonville bypass. Last February I participated in a 24-hour traffic count of vehicles passing through the main street of Alstonville—a town that has been waiting for the much-needed bypass for almost 10 years. The traffic count showed that more than 17,000 vehicles pass through the main street of Alstonville each day. The count eclipsed the 2004 figure of 14,143 vehicles per day and clearly demonstrates that the need for the bypass is increasing.
Byron Bay is another town in the Ballina electorate that is in desperate need of a bypass. As all residents and visitors to Byron Bay know, the main street is highly congested on most days but even more so during school holidays and at times during the year when the town hosts various festivals. The problem is not new and it is getting worse, especially as more Queenslanders flock to Byron Bay now that the road between south-east Queensland and my electorate has been almost completely upgraded to dual carriageways. While the Byron bypass is primarily a local government responsibility, the State Labor Government has refused to allow a second crossing of the rail line, which is needed to enable the bypass to be constructed. Permission to construct another rail crossing must be granted, especially as no trains are running along the line—thanks to this Government. Given the Byron Shire Council's seeming inability to fund the bypass, I believe it is incumbent upon the State Government to provide funds totalling approximately $5 million to enable construction to occur. Byron Bay is a tourism icon for regional New South Wales and the State Government has a responsibility to help manage traffic congestion as a result of Byron Bay's popularity.
In contrast, prior to the recent election the New South Wales Coalition allocated funding for the bypass project and obtained a commitment from the shadow Minister for Transport that a Coalition Government would allow a second crossing of the rail line near the old Norco building to enable a bypass to be built. The current Labor Government has refused to provide this second crossing even though it took away the only train left on that line. Frankly, we need a second crossing even when trains return to the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line—which I am now sure will only ever happen under a Coalition Government.
Upon the re-election of the Labor Government, Byron Bay, like Alstonville, is without the prospect of a bypass in the near future. For safety reasons and to reduce congestion it is imperative that the New South Wales Labor Government commence construction of both the Alstonville and the Byron Bay bypasses this year. I call on the Government to start heeding the needs of the people of the Ballina electorate and the North Coast and address our infrastructure needs immediately. Appointing a Minister for the North Coast would be a good start. I have written to the Premier requesting he agree to this initiative, but have not yet had the courtesy of a reply.
Last modified 05/12/2007 16:45:51 : Update this page