Health, transport tops wishlist

HEALTH infrastructure, roads, regional air services and native vegetation laws will be the priorities for Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall as the NSW Parliament resumes for the year.
In the area of roads, Mr Marshall said he’d be meeting with Minister Duncan Gay to discuss the finalisation of the $100 million Bolivia Hill realignment route and the Tenterfield main street bypass.
“I’m asking the Minister to announce the route for the much-anticipated Bolivia Hill realignment and also for progress on the assessment of bypass options for Tenterfield’s CBD,” Mr Marshall said.
“I’ll also continue to keep the upgrade of Thunderbolt’s Way, around Walcha, firmly on the Minister’s radar.
“Additionally, I’ll brief the Minister on the progress of the new Emu Crossing Bridge at Bundarra.”
Mr Marshall said he was concerned that during the public discussion about the construction of a second Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek, there had been no mention of guaranteeing regional NSW continued access into Kingsford Smith Airport.
“In my mind it’s essential that any discussion and agreement from a State perspective about a second Sydney airport, protects now and for the future all current regional service slots at Kingsford Smith Airport,” he said.
“Having regional NSW passengers fly into an airport in Western Sydney, so far away from the heart of Sydney, where rural people come to do business and attend medical appointments is simply out of the question.
“I will be raising this and seeking some sort of assurance that any support the second airport proposal may receive from the NSW Government has this as one of its conditions.”
The State MP said he would also be pressing for some tangible action of unravelling the convoluted and restrictive Native Vegetation laws and he would continue to assist Costa’s Tomato Farm at Guyra with its exciting expansion plans.