Monthly Archives: December 2019

Today Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman announced construction on the new NSW Ambulance station at Goulburn is complete.

The new station, located at 211 Bourke Street, was funded as part of the NSW Government’s $122 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program.

Mrs Tuckerman said the completion of construction is a significant milestone in the process ahead of the station going live in early 2020.

“The next steps include internal fit-out and operational commissioning by NSW Ambulance.

“This is already a remarkable purpose-built facility. It has been designed with input from local paramedics and tailored to the needs of the local Goulburn community.

“I’m delighted to hear and see the ways the new station will support the clinical capability of our highly trained paramedics.

“This facility will enable local NSW Ambulance paramedics to better meet the current and future demand for mobile emergency medical care in Goulburn and surrounds,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

The new Goulburn station includes:

• Internal parking for up to eight emergency ambulance vehicles
• Administration & office areas
• Staff amenities
• Multipurpose meeting/training room
• Logistics and storage areas
• Staff parking

To date, 24 upgraded, rebuilt or new regional and rural ambulance stations have been announced under the RAIR program, including completed stations at Wagga Wagga, Coolamon, Ardlethan, Harden, Molong, Griffith, Kiama, Berry, Bay & Basin, Toukley, Wauchope, Hamlyn Terrace, Bathurst Pottsville, Yass, Rutherford, Bungendore, Cowra and Grenfell.

This represents the biggest regional and rural transformation of NSW Ambulance infrastructure in the organisation’s history.

The NSW Government has invested $10 billion in health infrastructure since 2011, with $10.1 billion more over the four years from 2019-20, including more than $900 million for rural and regional areas in 2019-20.

In my Christmas felicitations for 2019 I note that I have survived my first eight months as the member for Goulburn, and what an eventful eight months I have had so far. I am truly blessed to represent the wonderful people of the Goulburn electorate and I am extremely proud to be a part of a government that delivers for regional New South Wales. I am incredibly proud of the New South Wales Government’s election commitments in my electorate—totalling the staggering approximate sum of $110 million—which include hospitals, the Moss Vale bypass, the Goulburn Aquatic centre redevelopment, a residential drug and rehabilitation facility, a new water treatment plant in Yass, a new hall for Yass High School and a new police station for Goulburn.

A few other milestones for my electorate include the completion of the New Lansdowne Bridge in Goulburn, the progression of the Barton Highway duplication, planning works are well underway for a new school in Murrumbateman, preliminary investigations into faster rail, the new ambulance station for Goulburn that is almost complete and the completion of the new Yass ambulance station. At this time of year as many other funding streams are coming to a close, I look forward to the outcomes of some of the smaller plights for funding from our community grassroots organisations. These community groups are the backbone of our regional communities. I am very excited to see the outcomes of the third round of the Stronger Country Communities program as well as the Community Building Partnership program.

I have so enjoyed getting to know better all parts of my electorate and witnessing the countless volunteers who support their communities every day. We have some wonderful people doing some wonderful things. In particular I thank the emergency services people who go above and beyond to make our communities safe. I say thank you also to their families, who also sacrifice so much as our emergency services people so selflessly serve. Not only in my electorate but all over this great State, the people of New South Wales hope they get to share some Christmas spirit during the festive season.

I am very aware that in carrying out my role of serving this State and the communities of my electorate I do so as a part of a team. I am very lucky to have a wonderful team behind me. Firstly I thank my hardworking staff, senior electorate officer Alicia Croker, electorate officers Cheryl Callanan and Paige Penning. I say a big thank you to Amy Gann and Maret Rebane for joining the team when needed. I thank them for their loyalty, their passion and their hard work during what has been a challenging year.

I could not conclude my speech without thanking my family, particularly my husband, Michael. I thank him for his understanding and support throughout the year. To my many supporters during the election, my loyal Goulburn electorate branch members and volunteers, I appreciate all that you have done and continue to do. I also thank my parliamentary colleagues, particularly the Premier and her staff, the leadership team, the Government Whip, Mr Crouch and his team, particularly Ben, who have given the newbies so much support, guidance and advice. It has been very much appreciated. Likewise, I thank the parliamentary staff, who have also been very helpful. Thank you.

For me, Christmas has always been a time to spend with family and loved ones to think about the year’s achievements and start planning for the year ahead. This year will be a very special one as it will be with our first granddaughter, Letty. To be with family back in Boorowa on the farm will be very special. But make no mistake: My greatest wish for Christmas is for it to rain. It is important we support those whose livelihoods and properties have been ravaged by drought and fire. I too take this opportunity to encourage my constituents to shop local. Support your local businesses and buy from the bush when possible. Every little bit counts. I look forward to the year ahead and continuing to deliver for the communities of the Goulburn electorate. I wish everyone a very merry Christmas.

Road upgrades have commenced along Main Road 54 to deliver a safer, smoother journey for motorists travelling between Crookwell and Abercrombie.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said Upper Lachlan Shire Council would assist in completing the $3 million upgrade.

“This is a significant upgrade for the electorate with MR54 acting as a major arterial route for the region,” Ms Tuckerman said.

“These upgrades will include shoulder widening and improved safety signage and are expected to be complete by mid-2022, weather permitting.

“Roadside safety barriers will also be installed along with line markings to alert motorists through noise and vibration if they stray from their lane.”

Ms Tuckerman said the upgrade supported the NSW Government’s commitment to delivering safer regional roads.

“We are delivering the upgrades our regional roads need to ensure everyone who sets off on a journey makes it home to their friends and family,” Ms Tuckerman said.

“This road has a significant crash history with 17 crashes recorded between 2012 and 2017, almost half of which resulted in serious injuries.”

Upper Lachlan Shire Council Mayor, Cr John Stafford welcomed the upgrades as vital improvements to a major link to Crookwell.

“This work will not only improve access to and from Crookwell, but will ensure the route is safer for drivers, and we welcome the State Government’s assistance in making this possible,” Mayor Stafford said.

The first section of the upgrade will be carried out between Peelwood Rd and the Abercrombie River Bridge.

These works are being delivered jointly by Upper Lachlan Shire Council and Transport for NSW (formerly known as Roads and Maritime Services).

Work will be carried out on weekdays between 7am and 6pm with traffic reduced to one lane, alternate flow, and a reduced 40 km/h speed limit in place during work hours.

No work will take place on weekends or public holidays. To minimise impact to motorists over the December and January holiday period, work will cease on Saturday 21 December and recommence on Monday 13 January 2020.

Motorists are advised to follow the directions of signs and traffic control and allow up to five minutes additional travel time.

The Goulburn electorate will benefit from one of six new regional coach trials being rolled out across the state as part of the NSW Government’s election commitment to better connect remote communities with nearby centres.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the new Bigga to Goulburn coach trial would be a game changer for the bush.

“We’re delivering better regional services by connecting small towns like Bigga, Binda, Crookwell and Grabben Gullen with Goulburn and Canberra,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“This new service is one of the first of 13 new services that will deliver better access to nearby rural towns, cities or existing public transport services.

“It will mean more opportunities to visit friends and families, to go shopping, attend medical appointments and could even open up new employment opportunities for local communities.

“This is all part of our commitment to supporting local economies in regional NSW.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the new services would create new links for small communities.

“These new services will initially commence on a trial basis, allowing us to make the right changes in response to feedback to improve connections and better service local communities,” Mr Toole said.

“These latest coach trials are part of a bigger program of new services we are delivering to customers across NSW to help regional communities stay connected.

“We have had great success with earlier coach trials and look forward to seeing customers get on board and show their support for these trials.”

The new coach services will start from Tuesday 10 December and have been delivered and will be operated by NSW TrainLink. You can book tickets to these services here. The remaining seven new services connecting remote communities will roll out in the first half of 2020.

The Robertson community will benefit from $142,700 in funding support under the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program, Member for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman announced today.

Mrs Tuckerman said the funding would help support the Robertson-Burrawang Rovers Soccer Club to install new change rooms and referee’s amenities, as well as refurbishment of the CTC@Robertson building.

“$129,000 will contribute to a Robertson-Burrawang Rovers Soccer Club project to install new change rooms and referee’s amenities. The club will also install a new canteen.

“These improvements will not only provide privacy and security for match officials but will also mean additional storage and better access to the facilities for people with disability.

“CTC@Robertson building will also receive $13,700 to undergo significant refurbishments to ensure it remains a comfortable, attractive and safe hub for the community.

“This building is used for various purposes by members of the Robertson community and visitors. The refurbishment project will replace worn and stained flooring to help create an inviting and warm atmosphere for the community”, Mrs Tuckerman said.

Thirty-two community organisations in NSW have been awarded a total of $4 million, to fund local projects that build or upgrade facilities across sport and recreation, arts and culture, disaster readiness and essential community infrastructure.

Mrs Tuckerman said the Infrastructure Grants program funds important projects across the state and the NSW Government is proud to support community organisations that work tirelessly to create resilient, healthy and connected communities.

“The projects they’re delivering will boost participation in sport, recreation and arts, social inclusion and disaster resilience – making a real difference in people’s lives across NSW,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

Since 2013, the NSW Government has funded over 350 community projects worth $82 million under the Infrastructure Grants program.

This year the program expanded to fund projects that build community connections by supporting drought-affected communities and youth, mental health and domestic violence services.  

The grants are made possible by the Clubgrants Category 3 Fund which re-invests profits from registered clubs’ gaming machines into community infrastructure projects across three key areas:

• Arts & Culture
• Disaster Readiness & Community Infrastructure
• Sport & Recreation