WestConnex. Biggest transport project in Australia to begin

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1 WestConnex Biggest transport project in Australia to begin The O Farrell Government in keeping with its election promise to improve critical infrastructure for Western Sydney has committed $1.8 billion dollars towards WestConnex. This game-changing piece of infrastructure has been made possible with the $1.5 billion committed by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Member for Lindsay, Fiona Scott and demonstrates how Coalition governments will work together to deliver for the people of NSW. The NSW Government has lodged the initial planning application for the WestConnex motorway, after approving the business case showing the project will deliver major benefits for the NSW economy and the motorists of Western Sydney. WestConnex is the largest infrastructure project in Australia, linking western and south western Sydney with the city, airport and port in a 33 kilometre continuous motorway. The project will be built in three stages with the M4 widening to start first and to be completed in The widening of the M4 from Parramatta to North Strathfield and the extension of the M4 with links to the airport terminals, Port Botany and nearby industrial areas, will strengthen access to industry along the full corridor improving growth opportunities. Integrating an infrastructure system that can cater for the diverse travel demands will be a benefit for our community. NSW Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Barry O Farrell said WestConnex would ease congestion, deliver liveable and connected communities and create jobs across Sydney. For more information visit Address: Shop 23, Penrith Centre, High Street, Penrith NSW 2750 Mail: PO Box 4006, Penrith Plaza NSW 2750 Phone: (02) Fax: (02) penrith@parliament.nsw.gov.au

2 INFRASTRUCTURE &CONSTRUCTION NEPEAN HOSPITAL CARPARK Health Minister Jillian Skinner was joined by Stuart Ayres as she opened the new $23.1 million multistorey car park at Nepean Hospital, which provides 657 additional parking spaces. The new car park provides accessible parking on the ground floor, designated spaces for motorcycle and bicycle parking, bathroom facilities and intercoms throughout for security. The completion of this new car park is a key milestone in the $139 million redevelopment of the Nepean Hospital campus. M4 LEONAY UPGRADE NSW Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Barry O Farrell, Roads Minister Duncan Gay and Penrith MP, Stuart Ayres visited the exit ramp on the M4 at Russell Street, which has been targeted for a $2 million safety upgrade under the NSW Government s pinch point program. The area has been identified as a pinch point where traffic exiting the M4 is often delayed by needing to give way to south-bound traffic on Russell Street. The NSW Government is looking at a number of possible solutions. This project is part of the NSW Government s pinch point program, which was given a $135 million boost in the budget. GREAT RIVER WALK The Great River Walk at Emu Plains has gained $270,000 in NSW Government funding. The funding to Penrith City Council is part of a $2.5 million allocation to support new outdoor facilities across Sydney under the Metropolitan Greenspace Program. The $270,000 is to fund the next construction stage of the Great River Walk by laying a 280 metre shared pedestrian-cyclist pathway along River Road, Emu Plains, and associated landscaping, edging and safety rails. JANE STREET EXTENSION NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay and Stuart Ayres joined Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Member for Lindsay, Fiona Scott to announce a new funding agreement to upgrade Penrith s Jane Street. The NSW Government will match the $35 million in funding committed by the Federal Coalition to see the project fully funded and for construction to begin as soon as possible. This important project is critical to reducing congestion at the choke point at the intersection on Mulgoa Road. Pre-planning work will focus on designs that can be put to the community for consultation. GLENBROOK STATION CARPARK UPDATE The new Glenbrook station car park is being delivered as part of the NSW Government s $770 million Transport Access Program. Early works are now underway. Stuart Ayres MP Member for Penrith

3 EDUCATION/TEACHING/LEARNING LAPSTONE SCHOOL CANTEEN FUNDING PENRITH HIGH SCHOOL FLASHING LIGHTS Lapstone Public School will receive a canteen refurbishment as part of the Liberal & Nationals Government s Budget. The Joint Funding Program provides funding to schools on a dollar-for-dollar basis, with the school providing at least 50% of the total estimated cost of a nominated project and the Department providing the remainder, up to $300,000. The Joint Funding Program provides a real incentive to schools to raise funds within their community, with Government recognising and supporting local school based initiatives. The works are scheduled to be completed within the 2013/14 financial year. Flashing lights have been installed at Penrith High School and Penrith Public School to increase school zone pedestrian safety in the Penrith area. The lights have been installed on High Street and will operate automatically when school zone speed limits are in force between 8am and 9.30am and 2.30pm and 4pm on school days. PREMIER S SPELLING BEE PENRITH REGIONAL GALLERY AND THE LEWERS BEQUEST The Government has launched a new app that helps students of all ages practise and improve their spelling. The Premier s Spelling Bee 2013 app features almost 3,000 words and corresponding sentences from the spelling competition of the same name, and uses Australian spelling and pronunciation. The app designed for Android phones and tablets features junior and senior categories with a number of levels that increase in difficulty. The app is a companion to the free School A to Z app and website. Visit edu.au for further information. Naomi McCarthy of Penrith Regional Gallery and The Lewers Bequest received a grant of $6,000 towards a two week fellowship at the Dallas Museum of Art, USA. The fellowship includes development of skills in creating interactive exhibitions, online education resources and youth development programs. The skills and knowledge obtained through this placement will be applied back to Penrith Regional Gallery which will be a benefit for the local community. This funding is part of the NSW Government s commitment to increasing opportunities for participation in arts and cultural activities in NSW. October 2013

4 IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY 50 YEARS SERVICE TO THE RED CROSS Stuart Ayres met with Ms Ilma Gairns of Penrith to congratulate her on being awarded her badge for 50 years of Service to the Red Cross. Ms Gairns, now 94 years of age, was introduced to the Red Cross by family members at 7 years of age, joined the Junior Red Cross in her teens and helped the Red Cross during the war. In 1963 she became a full time volunteer working in the blood bank in Sydney before transferring to the Penrith Red Cross branch. Red Cross in Australia will celebrate its Centenary Year in GOLD DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD Mary Triantafyllou of Glenbrook was awarded with the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. The Gold Award has been running in Australia for over 50 years and is the highest level internationally recognised personal development program for young people. To attain a Gold Award each participant must complete five mandatory areas: physical recreation, skill development, volunteering/community service, an adventurous journey and a residential project. Mary contributed as a Bible Study leader, has been learning guitar for 3 years, played touch football for 7 years, participated in a study camp and completed a rigorous canoe journey. The Duke of Edinburgh s Award in NSW is operated by the Sport and Recreation division of the Office of Communities. FLINTWOOD DISABILITY SERVICES Minister for Disability Services John Ajaka and Stuart Ayres announced an increase in respite care services in the Nepean area. $256,000 will be provided to Flintwood Disability Services to increase respite time for families and carers for people with a disability. Flintwood provides support to approximately 100 children with a disability and their families in the Nepean area. THORNTON INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND Previous Minister for Disability Services Andrew Constance and Stuart Ayres opened the new and inclusive playgrounds within the Thornton housing development in North Penrith. These state-of-the-art play areas are suitable for people of all abilities and ages, including people with physical disability and older people. The equipment which has been installed across two playground areas encourages social interaction and play opportunities regardless of a person s age or ability. The project is a joint initiative between UrbanGrowth NSW and Penrith City Council. UrbanGrowth NSW is a Government initiative to drive investment in key locations across NSW. Community Newsletter

5 SURVEY - HAVE YOUR SAY By filling in and returning this survey you can have your say on the important issues that matter to you in our area. Please number (from 1 to 4) the four issues most important to you: Investing in major State infrastructure Public transport - trains & buses Local roads Education in schools Honesty & Integrity within Government Cooperation between Federal & State Governments Putting more police in our community Creating local jobs Nepean Hospital Mental health facilities Cost of utilities, eg: water, electricity State planning laws Protecting our local environment Securing the State s finances Returning the State Budget to surplus Mining and exploration in NSW Please tell me about issues that are important to you: Please complete the following details so I can stay in touch with you. Name: Dr/Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss Street Address: Suburb: Fax: Mobile: Phone: Occupation: Please return your survey to Stuart: Fax: (02) Phone: (02) penrith@parliament.nsw.gov.au Mail: PO Box 4006, Penrith NSW 2750 Office: Shop 23, Penrith Centre, High Street, Penrith NSW 2750 Authorised by Stuart Ayres MP, Shop 23, Penrith Centre, High St, Penrith NSW Printed by Zion Graphics, 3 Robertson Pl, Bella Vista NSW This publication has been produced using Parliamentary entitlements. October 2013.

6 1st Prize Runner Up Stuart Ayres congratulated Mr Adam Luczak of Emu Plains on his winning entry for the 2013 Stuart Ayres Photo Competition. The competition provided an opportunity for the community to showcase the diverse people and cultures of the Penrith region. Adam submitted his photo Penrith & Proud Of It which captures the spirit of Penrith and the community s passion for sport. Stuart Ayres presented Adam with a cheque for $500 for his winning entry. Runner up, Mr Peter Thorpe of Cranebrook received $250 for his entry Remembering The Fallen which pays tribute to our war veterans. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SWIMMING POOL OWNERS All pool owners will need to register their pools on a new state-wide register or face on-the-spot fines and a maximum penalty of $2,200. From 29 April 2014, pool owners will be required to provide a valid Pool Compliance Certificate required as part of a contract for the sale or lease of a property with a pool. Further information can be found on the Division of Local Government s website at WASTE LESS, RECYCLE MORE The NSW Government recently released the Waste Less, Recycle More package - a five year $465.7 million waste and recycling agenda for NSW that will deliver economic, employment and environmental benefits for local communities and will transform waste and recycling in NSW. This package includes funding for waste and recycling infrastructure, supporting local communities, combating illegal dumping, tackling litter and improving the operation of the waste levy. For more information, please visit NEW DOG LAWS The NSW Government is overhauling the way companion animals are managed in NSW, including creating a new category of menacing dogs, to better protect the NSW community. The new rules allow councils to require owners of menacing dogs to muzzle their dogs in public, have them on a leash, under the control of a person over 18 years old, and ensure they are de-sexed. The new law is part of a package of measures to respond to the Companion Animals and Dangerous Dogs Taskforce and to concerns about dangerous and threatening dogs in the NSW community. Contact: Phone: (02) Fax: (02) penrith@parliament.nsw.gov.au Address: Shop 23, Penrith Centre, High Street, Penrith NSW 2750 Mail: PO Box 4006, Penrith Plaza NSW 2750 facebook.com/stuartayresmp twitter.com/stuartayresmp Authorised by Stuart Ayres MP, Shop 23, Penrith Centre, High Street, Penrith NSW Printed by Zion Graphics, 3 Robertson Pl, Bella Vista NSW 2153 using parliamentary entitlements. October 2013.