January 2015 Out and about in the electorate Adam Marshall MP Extra $50,000 for RFS training MEMBER FOR N ORTHERN TABLELANDS AN additional $50,000 has been secured from the state government for a new local program developed between BackTrack and the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). This project will see 20 students undertake and attain nationally accredited aviation and airbase operator training delivered by the RFS. The students will also construct some firefighting training props, a mounted aircraft fuselage and a steel framed replica of a car, which they will donate to the New England RFS Training Centre in Armidale.

BackTrack students with their kelpie pups. From left are Zac Craig, Jason Naylor, Phillip Pickford, Haydon Bishop, Om Gillies, Nathan Bliss, Cody Lockwood, Marshall Irwin, Flynn Christie, Jordan Kelly and Michael Cutmore. A hectic and promising Service NSW One-Stop-Shop year ahead Inverell RSL Sub-branch received a further $10,000 funding from the NSW Government to to open soon in Armidale continue with the restoration of the Inverell War Memorial. Pictured are Stuart Berryman, Pat AS we enter the New Year, I would like to wish everyone across the “Show us the money Minister” McMahon, Graeme Clinch and Mark Hauser. BackTrack’s funding secure THE refurbishment of the Armidale Roads and Maritime a happy and successful 2015. I trust that you Armidale Hospital revamp plans now completed Services Motor Registry, for the conversion to a new NSW While on tour through the region, the Minister for Small Business and Regional Tourism John Barilaro had the opportunity to spend some quality time with family and LAST month I took the next step in the community Combined with the new University of New England Services One-Stop-Shop began in early January and is was taken on a tour of Armidale’s historic Saumarez Homestead by Property Manager Les Davis. friends over the festive season. EARLY in December last year, I announced more than $500,000 School, Guyra Central School and Drummond Memorial Public campaign to see the ageing Armidale Rural Referral Tablelands Clinical School and the Ambulatory Care expected to be completed by the middle of February. For many in the region, Christmas and the New Year brought in NSW Government support over the next two years for the School (Armidale). Each of the schools has worked closely with Hospital redeveloped by calling on the State Government building, the redevelopment of Armidale Hospital will see a Until then, the RMS office will be closed but there are some some very welcome rain and we can only hope that the season highly regarded BackTrack Youthworks organisation, based in BackTrack to develop projects that specifically meet the needs to commit $60 million-plus to the project. world-class health precinct in our region which combines limited services offered at the Fair Trading office in McCarthy continues to go in our favour. We’re certainly far from being out of Armidale. of their at-risk students. The redevelopment concept planning was completed in extensive quality clinical and community health services building in Faulkner Street. the woods yet and need more general rain and important run-off The funding is being provided through the government’s BackTrack is an outstanding organisation doing amazing early December and NSW Health Infrastructure has ‘green- with impressive teaching and research facilities. This is an exciting new development for Armidale and once to fill dams and water storages. $8.9 million Links to Learning Program and will allow things to turn hundreds of young people’s lives around and lighted’ the proposal so now it is firmly in the court of the Before Parliament rose for the year, I met with Deputy opened, the facility will truly be a one-stop spot for about Unfortunately for the North West, the promising storms have BackTrack to expand its programs to include more students, I’m delighted that this government support will allow Bernie NSW Health Ministry and Health Minister Jillian Skinner. Premier Troy Grant to argue the case for the upgrade and 800 multi-government transactions such as drivers licence been far too scattered and communities continue to struggle with male and female from Armidale High School, Duval High Shakeshaft and his team to continue its great work and The proposed redevelopment includes a refurbished I will be meeting with the Health Minister shortly to again application, contractor licences, birth certificate applications, the dry conditions. School (Armidale), Uralla Central School, Walcha Central engage with even more young people across our region. emergency department, new operating theatres, critical press for the redevelopment on behalf of the community. Seniors Cards and more. With this in mind I was particularly pleased to announce a care services, inpatient beds and medical ward, in addition This is an absolute priority for our region. The great thing is the centre will be opened for extended few weeks ago that the NSW Government has made another to minor upgrades of other sections. hours including Saturday mornings and employ more staff to $20 million available for the very popular Emergency Water help customers. I had the pleasure of a tour through the Armidale Uniplan site which is Infrastructure Rebate scheme. I lobbied very hard for this to be Minister announces support for small businesses an impressive operation, employing over 80 people in the production of reintroduced and am very pleased my calls, on behalf of the DURING a visit to the region last month, Small Business is necessary for them to speak to a real person and not an bathroom fittings and furniture and transportable homes and amenity farming community for more drought assistance, were heard and blocks. Minister John Barilaro announced a new initiative to improve answering machine. This new approach provides callers more Macintyre High School students Superintendent Fred Trench is the new commander of the acted on. after-hours convenience and support available to small reassurance when they first seek help and helps reduce the Inverell Symes Coaches five-year contract with NSW TrianLink to New England Local Area Command after the retirement I am now looking forward to a very busy year and all the off to Gallipoli last month of long serving Superintendent Bruce ‘Bluey’ business operators. The new initiative will enable telephone feeling of isolation that small business operators sometimes provide coach services to CountryLink passengers was renewed challenges and exciting opportunities that it will bring for our last month. Pictured is owner Greg Symes and manager Mal Lyons. support lines to be answered by a customer service officer 24 experience. I WAS delighted to announce that four students and a teacher Whitton. region. My main priority will be to continue with the campaign hours a day, seven days a week. To access the small business out-of-hours phone service have been selected from Inverell’s Macintyre High School to to see the NSW Government commit serious funds to the When a small business owner requires support after call 1300 795 534 or contact Small Business Connect on represent NSW at the Centenary of Anzac Dawn Service at redevelopment of the Armidale and Inverell Hospitals. The simple hours it often relates to a matter that is causing them 1300 134 359 and the call will be diverted if it is received Gallipoli in April this year. fact is they have been neglected for far too long and it’s time immediate concern about a particular issue, which is why it after normal business hours. Macintyre High was one of only 25 schools drawn in a to rectify that situation. Quality health facilities underpin the ballot in September last year and was one of only six non- wellbeing and attractiveness of our region. metropolitan schools selected to be part of this historic With the redevelopment plans for the Armidale Rural Referral occasion. Hospital now updated, I have called on the Minister for Health Jillian Skinner to allocate funds for the upgrade and will continue Congratulations to the following students: to press our case for this investment. At the Inverell District • Jesse Hayden Year 12 Hospital, the renal dialysis unit is at capacity and the operating • Ashley Johnson Year 12 theatres, acute care, maternity and paediatric services all need a • Emily Cairns Year 11 major overhaul. I have impressed upon the Minister that although • Colette Monaghan Year 10 there are some wonderful staff at these two hospitals, they are • Miss Lee Cutler Teacher forced to work in an environment that doesn’t allow them to care Armidale Rural Referral Hospital Director of Medical Services Dr Max Mansoor, Acting General Manager Catharine Death, Clinical Director of Medicine Dr Nihal Nanda and Mayor Laurie Bishop. for their patients to the standard they wish to. Guyra Men’s Shed members are looking forward to purchasing some new After a huge fund raising effort by the Glen Innes community and grants from the NSW State Government, the Support for constitutional tools and equipment after receiving a grant from CBP. Pictures are Peter King, Trust has been able to install new arena lights. An excellent outcome for the whole I will be meeting with the Minister this week and hope to Graham Mckay, John Jackson and Shaun Taylor. community. Pictured are Jo Cameron and Mike Condon. secure a firm commitment to fund both projects. For our local recognition of Indigenous communities, that will be the perfect to start to what promises to Australians be an exciting 2015. Extra $20 million in drought assistance The Minister for Small Business and Regional Tourism John Barilaro enjoyed the hospitality of the Armidale Business Chamber. Pictured from left are Mike Cregan, Bron Pearson, James Harris, Kate Richards, Peter Rickard, Laurie Bishop, Peter Hosking, John Barilaro, Keiran Breckenridge, Susan I HAVE pledged my support for a federal referendum to for our region’s farmers Cull and Peter Westbrook. recognise Indigenous Australians in the nation’s Constitution. Following on from the joint announcement from Premier Mike I WAS very pleased to announce a few weeks ago that the NSW Government has committed a further $20 million in Baird and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Victor Dominello that the additional support to our drought affected farmers. This will come via an additional and modified Emergency Water NSW Government has announced in-principle support for Infrastructure Rebate Scheme, a program which together we lobbied hard for and was introduced this time last year. It Days numbered for controversial the referendum, it is important for communities within the proved to be incredibly popular, effective and consequently oversubscribed. Northern Tablelands to support this important campaign. This new round of funding is a huge win for Northern Tablelands farmers and recognises that while we’ve had some good recent rain, people on the land are still doing it tough. This will not only help with short term water issues but helps The announcement was made in partnership with Adam Marshall mp Native Vegetation Act RECOGNISE, the people’s movement to recognise Aboriginal farmers invest in long term infrastructure and be better prepared for the next inevitable drought. and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution. Eligible farmers will be able to apply for a rebate of up to 50 per cent of the cost of installing on-farm emergency water LIKE many on the land who have grappled over the past with the report’s conclusions and recommendation and will The NSW Government has become the first state to back infrastructure, including new bores, pumps and pipelines, water storage tanks and stock troughs and the de-silting of 20 years with the frustration and stress of dealing with the now be lobbing the NSW Government to adopt the reports dams, up to a cap of $20,000 per primary producer. This will close on 30 June 2015 or when the $20 million is fully this campaign, which provides a unique opportunity to include Congratulating Inverell Clontarf Ebor Sports Ground Trustees Christine O’Rourke, Allan Miller and Digby Forester were delighted to receive a grant from allocated. For more information or to apply, visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au complexities of the Native Vegetation Act, I have welcomed guidelines and implement them. I believe this is a critical issue a rightful acknowledgement of this nation’s first people in our student Joshua Williams the Community Building Partnership (CBP) fund to upgrade their facilities. the release of the report from the NSW Biodiversity Legislation for our farming communities and one that has my full support. founding document, the Australian Constitution. PEDAL staff at the opening of their new building in Armidale. Front, left, Review Panel which urges a complete repeal of the act. If you would like to read the review it can be viewed and Here in the Northern Tablelands, we have almost 5,000 Rhonda Barnet and Connie Burgess. Back, Mel Connor, Jill Petrov, Tracey Watt Since being elected I have been fighting for sensible changes downloaded on www.environment.nsw.gov.au/vegetation people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander – so and Belinda Scott. Address: Suite 1, 175 Rusden Street, Armidale NSW 2350 Mail: PO Box 77, Armidale NSW 2350 and a wholesale review of these laws, so I am very pleased this issue is one that resonates locally as well as across NSW. @a_j_marshall adamjmarshall Phone: 02 6772 5552 Fax: 02 6772 5026 Email: [email protected] Authorised by Adam Marcshall MP. Printed by Evans Printing, 215 Mann St, Armidale NSW 2350, using Parliarmentary entitlements

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Address: Suite 1, 175 Rusden Street, Armidale NSW 2350 Mail: PO Box 77, Armidale NSW 2350 @a_j_marshall adamjmarshall Phone: 02 6772 5552 Fax: 02 6772 5026 Email: [email protected] Redevelopment underway at Cameron Park I RECENTLY visited Inverell’s Cameron Park to inspect the work being undertaken by council to redevelop the junior cricket venue into a year-round multi-sport regional complex. In June last year, I announced a $510,000 grant from the NSW Government, which has been matched with $686,602 from Inverell Shire Council for the project which will see the park’s ageing infrastructure upgraded, new amenities added and the grounds expanded to cater for a wide variety of sports. This redevelopment is a fantastic boost for Inverell’s growing sporting community and I’d like to congratulate the council on the progress made so far. Work began in November and around 15,000 cubic metres of soil has been brought in to extend the fields by 10 to 15 metres. The underground irrigation system will soon be installed in preparation for the turf which will hopefully be laid this month. Construction work on the new amenities block, shade shelters, cricket practice nets and children’s playground would also begin soon.

Inverell representative cricketer David Mudaliar with Inverell Mayor Paul Harmon and Inverell Shire Council’s Manager Civil Engineering Justin Pay inspected works at Cameron Park.