Monday, 20 June 2016
HOSPITALS, water and sewerage infrastructure investment and road and bridges funding are at the top of Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall’s wish list for the electorate, ahead of tomorrow’s 2016/17 State Budget.
Mr Marshall said he’d been meeting with various Ministers over the last few months to ensure funding for key projects over the next 12 months, chief among them the Armidale and Inverell Hospital redevelopments.
“I’m looking to the budget for significant funding to progress the $60 million Armidale Hospital redevelopment into the construction phase,” he said.
“The site preparation work is nearing completion and very soon it’ll be ready for the new four-storey building to start. The community is keen to crack on with the work and so am I.
“We also need some funding to complete the next stages of planning for the $30 million Inverell Hospital redevelopment.
“This project was committed to by the government at last year’s election and I’ll continue to hold the Minister to account on this. The clinical services plan has just been approved so now we need to progress to the next stages, which will see a full blown business case, architectural plans and virtual walkthroughs.”
Mr Marshall said he was also very keen to see funding allocated to improve water security in the region.
“I’ve been pushing the case for major funding to give the villages of Biniguy and Ashley reticulated potable water supplies for the very first time and to upgrade Moree’s water supply.
“Uralla Shire Council is also very keen to construct a modern sewerage system for the resident of Bundarra and I’ve requested that state government contribute to that as well.
The MP is also hoping for “a good lick of funding” to continue the major upgrades of the Newell, New England and Gwydir Highways.
“These three highways span the entire electorate and carry the vast bulk of our produce to market,” he said. “It’s vital the improvement work continue to improve safety and freight efficiency.”
The Budget will be handed down by Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian tomorrow at noon.