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Page 1 of 3 $1 million for Bear Cottage
After persuading Reba Meagher to visit Bear Cottage in July, the former Health Minister approved $1 million in funds for the State's only children's hospice. Prior to this, Bear Cottage received no government funding despite providing critical care and support to families with children with a life-threatening illness.
Flashing lights for school zone
The school zone in Condamine Street Manly Vale is finally safer after we won the fight started by local mum Brigid Asquith-Hunt to have flashing lights installed. Thousands of parents supported our campaign pressuring the RTA to act to reduce speeding in the zone, which is used by students from St Kieran’s Primary School, Mackellar Girls High School, Manly Vale Public School and Manly Vale Community Kindergarten. The flashing lights were installed in September.
Late-night buses for Manly
There are now far more ways for people to get home safely and quickly after enjoying Manly’s nightlife. After Manly Council and I lobbied the Transport Minister, Sydney Buses now provides an additional 17 services throughout the night from Manly to Mona Vale and the city.
Work to begin on sewage tunnel
Sydney Water will begin its $70 million project this year to improve water quality in Manly and Curl Curl lagoons. A 3.6-km tunnel will be built between Fairlight and Brookvale to capture sewage overflows and feed it to the Northside Storage Tunnel so that it does not spill into the lagoons.
New classrooms for Balgowlah North
Teachers and students at Balgowlah North Public School proudly showed off their new classrooms at the official opening on 11 September. Four new permanent classrooms have been built to replace demountables and stormwater drainage has been upgraded. The school looks terrific and is a credit to the teachers, students and parents who invest so much, together with David Barr who fought for this in State Parliament. The upgrade was completed with both NSW Government and Federal Government funding, approved in 2006.
Views on buses heard loud and clear
Bus commuters across the Peninsula came out in droves to express their outrage at proposed changes to bus services at a public meeting last August. Wakehurst MP Brad Hazzard, Pittwater MP Rob Stokes and I hosted the meeting to allow commuters to voice their concerns directly to Sydney Buses. I received hundreds of letters from commuters arguing for the need to keep the E71 and E68 as express services; not to reduce the 139 route; and ensure any replacement of the E72 and E73 services has the same capacity and frequency. All feedback was forwarded as part of a formal submission to Sydney Buses.
Before/after school care for Seaforth
A before and after school care centre recently opened in Seaforth, thanks to a long campaign by local mum Julie Somerville. Julie came to see me in December 2007 about the lack of facilities in the local area after Manly Council closed a centre five years ago. Julie collected the names of parents needing out-of-school-hours care in Seaforth and found demand was five times greater than supply. Following a giant effort, Manly Council agreed to lease the Seaforth Community Centre to the Department of Education and the service opened its doors on October 13, which is a huge help to Seaforth families. Our new Mayor, Jean Hay, has committed to 100 new childcare places in Manly.
$30,000 raised from community!
In May last year, 220 people from the Manly community came together to raise more than $30,000 for our local surf clubs and for the Manly Community Centre's program to overcome domestic violence. The inaugural Manly Community Fundraising Dinner was a tremendous success, not only for the money raised, but also for the way it united the Manly community. If you are interested in being on the volunteer committee to organise the 2009 event, please email
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Senior drivers win After widespread community opposition to the RTA's proposal to introduce a mandatory 10km radius restriction once drivers turn 85, the plan has been abandoned. More than 300 senior residents from the Manly area attended a forum I called in September 2007 to express their opposition to the changes. The NSW Coalition held forums throughout the State and the RTA was inundated with submissions. We're pleased the community's calls for driving laws to be based on ability rather than age were heard.
Funding for sports facilities
Sporting facilities in Manly will get a boost this year with four local projects recently awarded funding from the NSW Government. The skate park at Keirle Park will be expanded thanks to a $20,000 grant to Manly Council. Seaforth families will also benefit from $20,000 in funds to build a new playground and basketball half-court at Seaforth Oval. Members of North Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club were thrilled to receive $7,500 in funds towards their new rescue quad bike. Brookie Oval supporters would also be pleased that the State Government has chipped in $170,000 to fix occupational health and safety issues at the Oval, including new turnstiles at the Pittwater Road end to allow for wheelchair access.
$600,000 resealing Spit Road
Finally some work has been done on the Spit. Unfortunately the traffic problems have not been solved, but it is a relief the road has finally been resurfaced after we called on the Government to carry out urgent repairs. Manly residents had shared their fears travelling on the road, which was an obstacle course of potholes. The $600,000 project was completed in February 2008.
Watkins attends Ferry Forum
More than 100 Manly commuters attended a forum I hosted in January 2008 with Transport Minister John Watkins who is due to make major changes to the Manly ferry service as a result of the Walker Inquiry. The Minister said he ‘heard clearly’ the impassioned pleas of JetCat commuters who want the Government to reject the recommendation to end the high-speed service if any compromise vessel takes longer than 20 minutes. Mr Watkins made a commitment not to rush the fleet replacement and to engage with Manly commuters in order to get it right.
North Steyne declared best beach
We know Manly’s beaches are the best in Australia but it was still a great thrill that Keep Australia Beautiful declared North Steyne the best beach in Sydney! The Clean Beach Challenge was run across the country and North Steyne was recognised for its use of recycled water, multilingual safety signs and young nippers who encourage beachgoers not to leave rubbish behind. Well done to all the members of North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club for their efforts.
Brookvale buses first to get on-time technology
The Northern Beaches bus depot at Brookvale will be the first in Sydney to have special technology installed so that late-running buses get priority at traffic lights. Bus stops will also have displays to show whether buses are running late. This promise comes two years after the State Government’s own deadline but we’re glad Northern Beaches commuters will be the first to benefit.
12 nurses for Manly Hospital
We’re very pleased to welcome 12 first-year graduate nurses to Manly Hospital in 2008 and 12 nurses to neighbouring Mona Vale Hospital. We’re hopeful this boost will help ease the strain on overstretched staff and improve patient care. It was also a relief that Manly and Mona Vale were among half the public hospitals in the State to be included in the current review of the health system. My colleagues and I will continue to put pressure on the State Government to prioritise construction of the Frenchs Forest hospital and maintain services at Manly Hospital until it is in place.
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