The NSW Government has today released the Energy from Waste Infrastructure Plan, providing certainty for communities and investors and creating opportunities for NSW to lead the way in the delivery of world-class alternative energy projects.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the plan provides the Goulburn community with certainty on which projects will and will not proceed.

“Our community has fought long and hard to ensure we get the outcome we want when it comes to energy from waste projects in the Goulburn electorate,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“Under the plan, projects can only proceed in the heavy-industrial zoned Southern Goulburn-Mulwaree Precinct. Projects outside of the industrial precinct will not be permitted.

“We welcome the economic and employment benefits that come with these projects but only in appropriate locations where they have good transport connectivity and complimentary industries.

“The plan also requires operators of energy from waste projects to make emissions data available to the community in real time online, to boost community confidence and transparency.”

The Infrastructure Plan builds on the existing Energy from Waste Policy Statement that was informed by advice from the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer and sets the most rigorous air quality and environmental controls for energy from waste projects in the world.

Under the plan, four regional precincts including West Lithgow Precinct,  Parkes Special Activation Precinct, Richmond Valley Regional Jobs Precinct and Southern Goulburn-Mulwaree Precinct have been identified as appropriate locations to manage residual waste.

Some limited exceptions may apply for facilities that use waste as a feedstock to replace certain fuels and where waste is used to power industrial and manufacturing processes on-site.

For more information visit: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/waste/waste-facilities/energy-recovery

While the announcement this morning brings mixed news across the electorate I wish to reiterate
that the decisions have been made according to health recommendations.

Parts of regional NSW currently deemed low risk and which have seen zero COVID cases for at least
14 days will emerge from lockdown at 12:01am Saturday 11 September, but will continue to operate
under restrictions to ensure the safety of regional communities. This announcement includes Upper
Lachlan Shire Council, Hilltops Council and Yass Valley Council LGAs.

Local Government Areas (LGAs) still seeing COVID case numbers will continue to follow stay-at- home orders and will be monitored by NSW Health with updates provided as circumstances develop, this includes Goulburn Mulwaree Council and Wingecarribee Shire Council.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said this morning, similar to entering and exiting Sydney, if you enter
an LGA under stay-at-home orders you must follow the rules of that LGA when you return home. In
addition, the LGAs which remain under the stay-at-home orders will be reviewed each week.
I want to stress that If you are not vaccinated – get vaccinated as soon as possible.

I understand that many people are still holding a brand preference for vaccination but this is not
ideal if it is not based on medical advice. I implore people to consult with their doctor, who may
provide you with a medical exemption and, as I understand, the Southern NSW Local Health District
are offering priority vaccination appointments to anyone with a medical exemption.

I will continue to work with the Southern NSW Local Health District for an easy and accessible
COVID-19 Vaccination Hub, as well as push the Federal Government for a greater supply of vaccines
to the Goulburn electorate.

Our community has continued to do the right thing, following the rules and getting vaccinated
when eligible and appointments are available. Our current vaccination providers are delivering an
excellent service and a local vaccination hub will support them and help to meet demand.

Further planning and development is under way on an accessibility upgrade at Moss Vale Station, following the conclusion of community consultation.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the upgrade would provide safer, more efficient and more reliable journeys through Moss Vale for all public transport customers, while maintaining the character and amenity in the town centre.

“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring that everyone can access public transport services easily, especially for people with disabilities or limited mobility, parents and carers with prams as well as travellers with luggage.

“I am grateful to the community for providing feedback on the proposed plans during the consultation period, held earlier this year. This feedback has been reviewed and responded to in the community consultation report, which is now available online, and will help guide the final design,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

Key features of the station upgrade include:

• improved accessibility and facilities for people with a disability, limited mobility and parents with prams
• improved amenities and wayfinding signage at the station precinct
• improved intermodal connectivity for a more efficient transport network.

Pending planning approval, construction is expected to begin in mid-2022 and is estimated to be completed in mid-2023.

For more information and to find the consultation report online, please visit: nswroads.work/mossvale

Wingecarribee Shire Council is set to begin rehabilitation works on Wombeyan Caves Road thanks to $5.6 million in joint funding from the Federal Government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Agreement (DRFA) and the NSW Government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package (BLER).

The rehabilitation works will involve repair of several sites along the road, which was significantly impacted by the 2019/20 Black summer bushfires and subsequent heavy rainfall events. Along the 13-kilometre section of the road between Goodman’s Ford and Wombeyan Caves specialist consultants identified 16 locations as priority for the road following the declared disasters.

Construction will involve the replacement of concrete causeways, reparation of retaining walls, road stabilisation and the removal of high-risk boulders.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said these repair works will future proof the road to withstand severe weather events and natural disasters.

“The community have waited patiently for works to get underway and I want to thank them for that,” Mr Taylor said.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman welcomed the milestone of construction commencing, which will improve safety for residents and visitors alike.

“Wombeyan Caves road has long been one of the most precarious roads in the region. A road which – in usual times – is used by a great number of tourists. I’m looking forward to when Visitors will return to enjoy the Wombeyan Caves recipient of a $9M facility upgrade (and new mobile phone base tower), and they can do so safely.
Wingecarribee Shire’s Council’s Interim Administrator Mr Viv May warmly welcomed the announcement.

“Wombeyan Caves Road remains an important and historically significant route that deserves protection,” he said.

“On behalf of Council I thank the Federal Member for Hume, Angus Taylor and Member for Goulburn, Wendy Tuckerman for their continued support of the Wingecarribee Shire.”

Works will begin from starting mid-September 2021, completion expected 30 June 2022 (weather permitting).
Access to property owners will be maintained however delays may be experienced during heavy construction periods. A 24/7 contact line will be provided by Civil Constructions Pty Ltd for residents.

The Goulburn electorate sports infrastructure investment boom is continuing following the opening of Round 2 of the Regional Sport Facility Fund which will provide grants for new and upgraded sports facilities across regional NSW.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the fund creates a great opportunity to improve more sport infrastructure for the communities across the electorate.

“The health and wellbeing benefits of sport and active recreation certainly can not be underestimated,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“The Regional Sport Facility Fund will improve local sports facilities and active recreational spaces, and enabling more people to participate in sport and active recreation.

“I encourage any eligible local sports organisations to apply.”

The Regional Sport Facility Fund provides grants of $100,000 – $1 million for projects such as amenity buildings, lighting, clubrooms, change-rooms and grandstands.

Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said the Fund is stimulating local economies, boosting employment and promoting healthy lifestyles across NSW.

“Investing in new and existing sports facilities is vital for NSW residents,” Mrs Ward said.

“Inclusive projects that encourage the participation of females and people with disability are a priority of the Fund.

“The Fund is creating a sports infrastructure construction boom across the State as part of the Government’s multi-billion-dollar infrastructure pipeline.”

Applications are now open and close 8 October 2021 at noon.

For further information visit: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants