Crouch launches petition to save travel card

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch, alongside the NSW Nationals and regional Liberals, has launched a petition to save the Regional Seniors Travel Card.

Crouch said he hopes the petition will help to save the $250 card from being cut by the Labor Government in the upcoming NSW budget.

“The Regional Seniors Travel Card has become a lifeline for seniors in our community, with 47,000 seniors using the card on the Central Coast.” he said.

“Using this $250 prepaid card provides much needed support for our Central Coast seniors at a time when the cost of living is sky high, and among those who feel it most are our seniors.

“This card is absolutely vital to supporting our seniors getting out and about in our community, whether that be using the $250 prepaid card to go see family and friends, do the shopping and attend doctor’s appointments.

“I hope we can get as many people as possible on the Coast to sign this petition to send a clear message to the Labor Government to keep funding this important cost of living measure.”

Since 2020, more than one million cards have been issued helping seniors maintain their independence by easing the cost of travel, with the Central Coast being one of the regions with the largest amount of card users, in NSW.

“Over the coming weeks I will be asking people to share this petition far and wide to save

Four community projects receive funding

Four organisations are to share in $12,683.85 of funding through the latest round of Central Coast Council’s Community Support Grant program.

Tuggerah Lakes Art Society will receive $2,655.55 for its Our Natural World Expo and Auspicious Arts Projects gets $2,841.30 for its CLIPPED Music Video and Karaoke projects.

Crommelin Native Arboretum at Pearl Beach will use its $5,000 to fund the Ephemeral Art Trail and the 5 Lands Walk will receive $2,187 to pay for its banners.

Three of the seven applications in this round were not recommended for funding because they did not demonstrate a broader community benefit.

They were Terrigal Outrigger Canoe Club, Toukley District Cycle Club and Music NSW.

The Community Support Grant Program remains open throughout the year to provide assistance for community activities that require in-kind support through the provision of subsidised access to Council services and financial assistance for community activities that require a smaller amount of support.

Council’s grant programs are provided to support the community to deliver quality our Regional Seniors Travel Card so seniors in our community can continue to do things they love and need to do,” Crouch said.

“I’ll also be calling on the four Central Coast Labor MPs to stand with me and support the petition to protect the Regional Seniors Travel Card, which is used by seniors across all of our electorates.”

Sign the petition at www. nswnationals.org.au/save-thetravel-card programs, projects or events that build connections, celebrate the local community, align with the One-Central Coast Community Strategic Plan and build capacity across the entire region.

The Community Support Grant Program provides a combined budget of $300,000 annually.

Source: Central Coast Council meeting, Jun 27