Cessnock Tourism

Mr KERRY HICKEY (Cessnock) [5.49 p.m.]: I draw the attention of the House to tourism in the Cessnock area. The Hunter Valley vineyard precinct is a marvellous attraction in my electorate. In fact, it is the focal point of tourism in the Hunter. It generates huge income for both the Government and the local communities. The revenue collected in wine equalisation tax, payroll tax and so on in the area is enormous. Some of that must be returned to the community to improve the condition of local roads. The vignerons are constantly complaining about the condition of the roads in the vineyard area.

The council is working as hard as it can. The 3x3 money is being stretched as far as it can be. The Minister for Roads needs to look at the issue and attend to it. The vineyard areas accommodate a large number of people. Marvellous concerts are held there and the vineyards bring to the area over two million people per annum. That is a major benefit to employment in the area and it is something we should all be proud of. As the local member I am proud of the achievements and the way vineyards have addressed many employment problems. Coupling that with the Hunter economic zone proposal for the industry park, the community can have quite a bright future.

With the Minister for Tourism present, it is appropriate for me to talk about the way tourism needs to be promoted and the way the Hunter needs to be promoted, particularly the vineyard areas. When the air link between New Zealand and Newcastle came into being, I was amazed to find that the reason the majority of New Zealanders came to the Hunter was to go to the vineyards. Newcastle and Port Stephens were promoting their areas, but the vineyards were the attraction. The vineyards are world-renowned for what they produce and how they produce it, and it is a wonderful spot. I encourage all members to go there for a weekend or even a week. I know the Minister for Tourism has spent time there. I spent a few hours with him at Gartlemans restaurant. It was an enjoyable time and we met a large number of people from the tourist association.

The town of Cessnock has changed considerably, and the reason for the change is tourism. The main street has been beautified and upgraded through money provided by the State Government and the local council. The State Government made a contribution of $10 million and the local council provided $1 million to beautify the main street. The town has changed its attitude towards the vineyards, and the Abermain Historical Preservation Society is looking at ways to promote the Abermain community for tourism. The society is looking for some grant funding to build a miners lantern to attract tourists to that area, as that was the first major coal field. That area is renowned for its militancy with regard to the industrialisation of the mines, leading to a large number of strikes.

That community wants to promote that to increase tourism in the area. So, any grants the Minister can find to help to achieve an outcome for the Abermain Historical Preservation Society will be used in a very positive way. The vineyards area is a spectacular place, especially in vintage time. I encourage all members to come up for a couple of days or even for a day. I am happy to show them around. The member for Wagga Wagga says he is happy to come along and shout me some meals in the fine restaurants and wineries there. I am very proud of my area and, if the member is going to pay, that is an added bonus. I encourage everyone to come to Cessnock and help to address the tourism problem there.

Mr MATT BROWN (Kiama—Minister for Housing, and Minister for Tourism) [5.54 p.m.]: I put on record the efforts the member for Cessnock puts into promoting his electorate. He is proud of his town and his industries, and he made sure that government services are delivering in his electorate. It is always a pleasure to travel to the Hunter Valley, to meet the vignerons, to look at the investments they are making and to see that they are going from strength to strength. The area is not without its challenges, but with the strong support of the local member it will continue to grow.