Ryde Connector A Community Newsletter from Victor Dominello MP
June 2017
Thousands of Ryde families are set to benefit from the NSW Government’s massive record investment of
$4.2 Billion in education
Budget Spends
Big in Ryde “After working hard to take New South Wales from the worst economic performer to being number one, we are now in a position to make a real difference to people’s lives, whether they are in regional New South Wales or our cities.” NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian
Education New High School • Construction of a High School to cater for the growth along the Parramatta River
New Primary School • Construction of a Primary School to cater for the growth along the Parramatta River • Next Construction Phase of Smalls Road Primary School
With Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Education Minister Rob Stokes at Kent Road announcing increased funding for our schools
Kent Road School • Replacement of demountable classrooms with 20 permanent teaching spaces • Upgrades to library, school hall and student amenities
Kent Road Public Staff and P&C Members
West Ryde Public • Replacement of demountable classrooms with 14 permanent teaching spaces • Upgrades to administration and hall
Denistone East Primary School • Replacement of demountable classrooms with permanent teaching spaces
West Ryde Public P&C Executive
Roads and Maritime Services • $1M – Planning for traffic improvements on Devlin Street at Parkes Street to Blaxland Road • $700,000 – Planning and design for traffic improvements on Blaxland Road at Balaclava Road and First Avenue • $750,000 – Pedestrian Lights at Constitution Road West and Railway Parade Meadowbank • $100,000 – New and extended clearways on Epping Road from Beecroft Road to Mowbray Road West and on Victoria Road from Church Street to Devlin Street
Emergency Services
With Melinda Pavey MP, Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight at Meadowbank
“New South Wales is the only state with all of strong surpluses, negative net debt, a growing net worth, a triple A rating, low unemployment and record investments in services and infrastructure” NSW Treasurer, Dominic Perrottet
New Ryde Fire Station • $5.3 million for a state-of-the-art fire station at North Ryde to be constructed before the end of 2020
Lands John Whitton Bridge • Installation of lighting on the John Whitton Bridge along with a $3.9M upgrade to the bridge
With Paul Toole MP, Minister for Lands and Forestry, announcing the lights and refurbishment of the John Whitton Bridge at Meadowbank
My Role as Minister Since January I have been promoting and pursuing a range of initiatives and reforms that benefit consumers and businesses across NSW.
Big boost for small business In April I announced the expansion of the Easy to do Business program, which makes it easier to start cafes, restaurants and small bars. The pilot in Parramatta was a roaring success and succeeded in reducing the average time taken to start a business from 18 months to just three months. It has now expanded to local Councils in the Northern Beaches, Georges River and Dubbo.
Plans are also underway to expand the program state-wide, including Ryde, and to include four other business sectors – clothing retail, housing construction, print business and road freight. The program provides small businesses with a 21st century one-stop shop service – dramatically reducing the piles of duplicative paperwork. It replaces 30 government forms with a single online
application, connects them with a case manager and almost halves the amount of duplicated information customers were previously required to provide. Small business is the engine room of the economy and programs like this help make NSW the premier destination to do business. Further information on the program is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au
Victor announcing the expansion of the Easy to do Business program in April.
Green Slip fraud arrests a win for motorists Fraud contributes $75 to every Green Slip. This is unacceptable and last year, detectives from the Police State Crime Command’s Fraud and Cybercrime Squad established Strike Force Ravens to investigate syndicates targeting the CTP insurance scheme following recommendations of the CTP Task Force.
The CTP Task Force is a NSW Government initiative. Over the past few months, Strike Force Ravens investigators have arrested six people and laid more than 70 charges in relation to a combined fraud of $6.2 million. These arrests serve as a reminder that fraudsters have nowhere to hide and will be brought to justice.
Motorists are sick and tired of paying higher Green Slip premiums because of fraudsters and their illegal activities. Every arrest is a win for motorists. By cracking down on these crooks, the ring-leaders and web of lies, we are delivering a fairer, more affordable CTP Green Slip Scheme.
Motorists continue to give FuelCheck the thumbs up Since August last year more than 2 million NSW motorists have used the FuelCheck website. This online tool, the first of its kind in Australia, allows motorists to find the best deal at the bowser using real-time information about fuel prices from every service station across NSW. Motorists can search for the best deal by location, price, fuel type or brand. I strongly encourage Ryde motorists to utilise this game changer and save money on fuel. The NRMA estimates that the average motorist could save $500 per year using FuelCheck. The website can be accessed at www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au
Victor announcing in April the establishment of a Chinese Garden of Friendship Advisory Committee.
Customer first as NSW Government embraces digital age In May I released the NSW Government’s Digital Strategy. This strategy will help us to become a smarter and more digitally-connected government so we can provide better services for citizens. It will also support the cultural change needed within the public service to achieve this ambition. When people say ‘I can’t believe this is government’— as they have in response to the FuelCheck website and Service NSW, you know you’re on the right track.
With rapid advancements in data analytics, quantum computing and augmented reality – significant disruption is on our horizon. To stay ahead of the game we must continue to deliver services which are fit-for-purpose in the digital age – not just by exception but across every aspect of government. The NSW Government has the ability and capacity to be a world leader in digital service delivery and this strategy demonstrates that.
Press conference with Chinese media in May regarding Service NSW.
Ryde Hunters Hill Hockey Club
From Ryde 2112 to Tokyo 2020 I was pleased to play my part in securing the Keith Thompson Hockey Centre for the Ryde Hunters Hill Hockey Club in 2012 for a further 12 years to 2024 and recognise that their club is going strong, establishing lifelong friends and enjoying many victories – the kind of club that makes dreams come true. The Ryde Hunters Hill Hockey Club caters for 5-year-olds who play in the Minkey program to spritely 70 year-olds and everyone and anyone in between. With over 750 members it is the largest hockey club in Sydney but still retains the character of a tight-knit family. Indeed, it is the family culture that has allowed the Club to reap the rewards, and enjoy the international success of three juniors. For 24-year-old Ben and 21-yearold Tom Craig the dream of playing together at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games became closer to a reality when in late December 2016, older brother Ben was named in the 2017 Kookaburra’s squad. With his development coming later than younger brother Tom, Ben had never pictured playing for the national team. “I never wanted to play for Australia, partly because I never thought I’d be good enough. It wasn’t until I played for Australia at the Under 21 tournament in Johor (Malaysia) that I thought it was something I could do.” Tom’s Olympic potential was flagged from an early age and he was fasttracked into the 2014 Kookaburra’s program. “The first I heard I might play for Australia was in year 10 or 11 when someone said I might go to Rio. It all happens really quickly and you often don’t know until you’re there knocking at the door.” Having been selected as a reserve for the 2016 Rio Olympics and more recently picked up to play in the Hockey India League during January and February this year. The Ryde Club epitomises what playing club sport is all about. Like many sports clubs it is built on the shoulders of volunteer members and it is each and every one of these volunteer’s contribution to the club that make this it so special.
It is people like the previous Club President, Maurie Dawson, those who continually volunteer for BBQ every Saturday (bringing surety of a good sausage sambo), and those whose green thumbs make the field presentable for the start of the season that make this club special. Whilst Ben and Tom are eying up a maiden berth at an Olympic Games, Kirsten Pearce has reached the pinnacle of the sport. Pearce represented New Zealand at the Rio Games and has established herself as a star for the Black Sticks. In 2016 she became the first Ryde player to captain their country, a truly remarkable achievement.
“... a word that floats around in conversations a lot when talking about the Ryde Hockey Club is family.” Kirsten recently remarked: “A word that floats around in conversations a lot when talking about the Ryde Hockey Club is family. Regardless of how many times my NZ Black Sticks schedule allows me to come back to Sydney I am always welcomed by everyone at the Club. The amount of support I have received from the Club and its members throughout my career to date is something I will always cherish and something I am extremely lucky to have. I have met some amazing people at the Club with the likes of Tim Collier, Amauri Amat, Michael Gunner, Larry McIntosh and Maurie Dawson (.. to name a few) that have assisted in shaping my career and I will be forever thankful for their trust and belief in me as a hockey
player. I am and always will be a proud Ryde Panther”. Glen Castensen, Club President at Ryde Hunters Hill Hockey Club has spoken about the pride of having three members of the Club go on to play at the highest level. “To see them go on now and represent at the highest level is unbelievable, inspirational and a really great boost for the entire Club and community, particularly the younger members. With the continued support of our local community, the Club is the strongest it has ever been in its illustrious 82 year history. The club is excited to have three top home-grown international players at the same time all with an eye on Tokyo 2020.” These players are looking forward to using their shared Kookaburra and Blacksticks experience as motivation to push each other to the top of world hockey. Tokyo 2020, will hopefully see the trio thrive in the competitive environment as they step ever closer to Olympic glory.
Excepts from Hansard 24 May 2016
Denistone East Public School Pool
HOW I CAN HELP YOU As your local Member of Parliament I can: Represent you in parliament. Take your concern directly to the appropriate Minister or department to get a response. Put you in touch with a service that can help you. Advise you of your rights and further action you may care to take. Lobby for more resources for your group or community. Work with you to achieve positive outcomes and to make democracy work for us all.
Mr VICTOR DOMINELLO ( Ryde – Minister for Finance, Services and Property) (16:44): Today I speak with regard to a school in the Ryde electorate, Denistone East Public School, and its pool. Fifty years ago, parents and indeed the entire community banded together to recycle bottles and raise funds to build what was then a very ambitious project – a school pool. There were bottle collection days and working bees to sort the bottles. Eventually this very committed group of parents built their school pool for their children and for the children that were to follow. As a result of their enormous effort and work, the Denistone East Primary School Pool was opened in 1965. The pool was in constant use and demand with generations of students learning to swim and participating in training and lifesaving courses, as well as having fun at the weekend sessions on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Many in my local area would remember Mr Joseph Howard – Joe Howard – the Ryde High School science master, whose commitment to fitness and sport saw him teach swimming in his spare time at before-and-after school swimming classes. In fact it is not uncommon to hear locals exclaim, “I learnt to swim in that pool!” As time progressed, the need to refurbish the pool and the surrounding infrastructure became increasingly evident. Again the community rallied. With the support of the school’s
executive and teachers, parents and community members, the parents’ and citizens’ association president, Anna Pleadin, and her team swung into action. They embraced the need for a petition to be presented to the Education Minister to show how strongly the community felt about the pool and the need for it within the community. With only four days left in the school term, the community and parents gathered more than 1,300 local signatures supporting a proposal by Royal Life Saving NSW and the education department to create a new facility where the old pool stands. The proposal was for a learn-to-swim facility managed and run by Royal Life Saving on the site of the old pool. Students from the school will benefit from the swimming classes, as will adjoining schools and the community. This will be a fantastic community asset. The advantages of an indoor aquatic centre will enable year‑round learning. The Minister for Education, the Hon. Rob Stokes, along with Royal Life Saving NSW chairman, Jim Whiteside, and chief executive, David McAllister, announced on Friday 12 May 2017 to our community that this $4 million facility will be built. As the local member, I am pleased that my community is taking up the challenge for shared community use agreements to open up school assets for community use whilst offsetting costs and generating income. Denistone East Public School will soon be again known in the local area as the school with the pool.
Authorised by Victor Dominello MP, Ryde, NSW. Printed by Impress Colour 13-15 Bond Crescent Wetherill Park NSW 2164. This newsletter was produced using parliamentary entitlements.
As your State Member I also deal with: Aging and Disability Attorney General Community Services Primary, Secondary Education and TAFE Emergency Services Fair Trading Health, Dental and Public Hospitals Industrial Relations Land and Water Management Local Government National Parks Main Roads Police Primary Industries Public Housing Public Works Transport
CONTACT VICTOR: 5-9 Devlin Street, Ryde NSW 2112 P (02) 9808 3288 F (02) 9877 6222 ryde@parliament.nsw.gov.au www.victordominello.com.au VictorDominelloMP
Budget 2017
NSW LIBERALS
Stronger Communities, Stronger NSW
an MP The Hon Gladys Berejikli les Premier of New South Wa
t MP The Hon Dominic Perrotte Wales Treasurer of New South
Dear resident,
in surplus, the NSW nation and our Budget the g din unities lea y om on ec ss back into local comm With the NSW cce su s te’ Sta the of fits the bene Government is investing W. right across NS the things that matter: re than ever before on mo rs live de o need it 18 1720 et ilies, help for those wh The NSW Budg fam for ort pp su rt, po ns and tra health, education, roads grow. itions for businesses to nd co ht rig most, and the d, laying the new program is surging ahea re ctu tru ras inf jor ma r Meanwhile ou . iving NSW of the future foundations for the thr through: re for our communities This Budget delivers mo ic growth, the lowest other states in econom g cin tpa ou – y om on pport industry and • A strong ec d more investment to su an n, tio na the in t en unemploym small business. c transport billion on road and publi 1.4 $4 ing est inv – te sta • Connecting our home sooner. our cities and get you infrastructure to unclog 17-18 on new record $23.2 billion in 20 A ls ita sp ho d an are and midwives. • World-class healthc ds more nurses, doctors an us tho d an s, de gra 00 hospitals, hospital up our kids through over 1,0 livering on the future of de – on ati uc d ed an in ls ing • Invest for new schoo .2 billion funding boost more teachers and a $4 g upgraded facilities. first home buyers, makin of living - more help for st co the th wi s ilie • Helping fam early childhood educa r school child per year. giving parents $100 pe or regions. It cements er you live in our cities eth wh W, NS in e on ery ke NSW a stronger, This Budget is for ev ty services and will ma ali qu d an re ctu tru ras our vision for new inf . better community for all Yours sincerely,
2017 NSW BUDGET 2
KEY FACTS $72.7 BILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE OVER FOUR YEARS
SURPLUSES EVERY YEAR FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS
HOUSING
MAKING HOUSING MORE AFFORDABLE
an kliian ejiikl yss Berej y Glady Premier of NSW
THE NSW BUDGET 2017 Page 5 P
Perrottet Dominic P Treasurer of NSW
OUTPACING OTHER STATES IN ECONOMIC GROWTH