By Roy Butler, Member for Barwon
Last week the budget was brought down by the state government and the news wasn’t all good, but it also wasn’t all bad. For one thing during a particularly tough budget, we managed to hold on to the spend in Barwon rather than take any cuts like some other electorates. But there were some big gains in important areas.
After the flurry of activity over the budget things are settling down, Parliament doesn’t sit again until August, but that doesn’t mean things come to a standstill. I will be out and about around Barwon over the coming weeks meeting with ministers and also constituents.
The budget
The budget just brought down by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey was never going to be a big-spending budget. Over the past few years NSW has faced some major financial challenges, like natural disaster recovery, a cut in GST revenue, and a huge debt racked up by previous government spending, so this budget is one formulated by a government trying to bring down the debt while trying to maintain delivery of important projects.
One thing I advocated for strongly with the Treasurer was equity for the bush, that any cuts that needed to be made would be no worse in the country than cuts made in the cities. Having said that I feel confident that Barwon’s needs have been recognised in what has been a very tough budget.
I have also been given a commitment that the government will undertake a much needed review of youth services in Barwon. For too long there have been concerns that the millions being spent on these programs are not delivering what is needed to reduce negative interactions between the community and police. A review will identify whether the money can be better used.
This is something that is desperately needed, along with a broader review of service delivery standards for health and education, and to have delivery standards set in legalisation. I remain committed to seeing this happen in this term of Parliament.
Justice and youth crime
A $66.9 million investment will be made in community programs aimed at reducing youth crimes and building safer communities, which will benefit Barwon.
Bourke Police Citizens Youth Club will receive $40,000 for refurbishment, and the Walgett Police Citizens Youth Club’s Afternoon Activity Program will receive $30,000.
$13.3 million continuation for significant upgrades to Bourke Police Station.
Health
Funding of $2.3 million over four years for the Royal Far West to continue providing high service to bush communities.
Continuation of the $30 million Wentworth Health Service Redevelopment.
A $15.3 million investment in Key Health Worker Accommodation in the Far West Region.
$12 million Broken Hill Hospital Emergency Department.
New Broken Hill Mental Health Unit funded as part of the state’s $669.8 million statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program.
Education
Three new public preschools at Bourke Public School, Menindee Central School and Morgan Street Public School.
The $10 million Western NSW Workforce Activation Package will be used to establish, expand, or upgrade early childhood and education care across Bourke, Broken Hill, and Cobar.
Cobar High School Upgrade.
163 casual education staff to be made permanent.
More than $100 million for schools across Barwon, including the rebuild of Willyama High School in Broken Hill.
Transport
$28.6 million was allocated to build new heavy vehicle rest stops to help combat driver fatigue.
Environment and Water
$36.3 million for Nyngan to Cobar Pipeline and Pumping Stations.
$22.9 million for Wilcannia Weir.
A biosecurity investment of $945.7 million will be made to address pest management control and the continuation of the feral pig program.
To maintain access to water and waste-water services for Essential Water customers, $5.3 million in water rebates will be given to eligible pensioners and others experiencing financial hardship.
Heritage
$200,000 to conduct a scoping into the potential repatriation of the Collarenebri carved trees.
Hinds Street project
Having a good neighbourhood to call home is an important thing. For some time now, my team and I have been working with the Hinds Street community in Narrabri, with the objective of making the area a better place for the residents and especially the kids to live and grow up in.
They are not after anything luxurious or unreasonable. What they need is better lighting, playgrounds, sidewalks – not much, but they are all things that go towards
making the area a better place to live and raise a family.
The week before last members of my team, the mayor and I shared a barbecue breakfast with the community to discuss progress on the neighbourhood’s rejuvenation.
The Narrabri Shire has agreed to the development of a master plan and funds have been requested. We will keep working toward the best possible result for the community.
I will keep you updated.
Narrabri Pathology
Last week the community of Narrabri breathed a sigh of relief when they finally learnt details about what is happening with the Narrabri Pathology labs. The Health Minister, Ryan Park, announced that Narrabri would be keeping its pathology lab, that the equipment would be upgraded and enhanced services offered. This was after consultation with the clinical staff and with the community about their needs, and there will be more consultation to make sure that Narrabri receives the service model that best fits their local area.
Some time ago rumours arose that Hunter New England Local Health District (HNE LHD) were going to close Narrabri’s pathology lab and that most of the services would go to Moree.
Those rumours arose because of the absence of any firm information about what would happen at the end of the contract with SydPath and the transition to NSW Health Pathology. These rumours were made to sound more plausible by pointing out that a model had been imposed on Gunnedah without proper consultation, one that restricted services. Although no decision had been made about the model that would be implemented in Narrabri, because HNE LHD was not supplying information, people were able to unnecessarily whip up community fears for their own agenda.
I took the matter to the Health Minister who elevated it above the LHD and, with some negotiation we achieved a positive outcome for the community. It was unfortunate that the community were left to speculate and their fears left to grow. Prompt communication from the LHD would have helped to dispel those fears.
This provides an object lesson for any public entity seeking to modify or in any way alter services. This is particularly true of health services. Communication needs to be thorough and in good faith. You can never leave a vacuum of information, or it is filled with misinformation. Allowing that to exist, uncorrected, the situation just deteriorates. That is what we saw happen in Narrabri.
To order photos from this page click here
