SMOOTH NEW ROAD ON THE WAY FOR MURWILLUMBAH ROAD TO COOLAMON SCENIC DRIVE SECURING LONGER TERM FUNDING FOR SPECIALIST HOMELESSNESS SERVICES

Works have started on a $245k road upgrade of a 400 metre section of Murwillumbah Road, near St John’s Primary School, that stretches up Coolamon Scenic Drive to the SES facility in Mullumbimby.

The works include a new $188k pedestrian crossing funded by NSW Federal Road Safety Program under the School Zone Infrastructure SubProgram opposite St John’s Primary School and will greatly improve safety for all users.

“These works are part of Council’s ongoing reseal program and our crews will be repairing the road this week so it’s ready for a full reseal next week, weather permitting,” Council’s Director Infrastructure Services, Phil Holloway said.

“Everyone who lives in Mullumbimby and the hinterland knows this is a very heavily used section of road - whether it’s getting into town, to school, church, the Mullum Showgrounds, Spaghetti Circus, the farmers markets – this is a section of road that has been in poor condition for too long.

“This much-needed upgrade will deliver a safer and smoother road for the whole community that’s built to last for the long-term,” he said.

Council is asking residents, the school community and parish not to park their vehicles in the work zone until works are completed (around Wednesday 31 May, weather depending).

The School Zone Infrastructure Sub Program is making it safer for pedestrians on their way to and from school, and when walking within school zones. It is part of the $540 million NSW Federal Road Safety Program.

Works have started on a $245k road upgrade of a 400 metre section of Murwillumbah Road, near St John’s Primary School, that stretches up Coolamon Scenic Drive to the SES facility in Mullumbimby.

The works include a new $188k pedestrian crossing funded by NSW Federal Road Safety Program under the School Zone Infrastructure SubProgram opposite St John’s Primary School and will greatly improve safety for all users.

“These works are part of Council’s ongoing reseal program and our crews will be repairing the road this week so it’s ready for a full reseal next week, weather permitting,” Council’s Director Infrastructure Services, Phil Holloway said.

“Everyone who lives in Mullumbimby and the hinterland knows this is a very heavily used section of road - whether it’s getting into town, to school, church, the Mullum Showgrounds, Spaghetti Circus, the farmers markets – this is a section of road that has been in poor condition for too long.

“This much-needed upgrade will deliver a safer and smoother road for the whole community that’s built to last for the long-term,” he said.

Council is asking residents, the school community and parish not to park their vehicles in the work zone until works are completed (around Wednesday 31 May, weather depending).

The School Zone Infrastructure Sub Program is making it safer for pedestrians on their way to and from school, and when walking within school zones. It is part of the $540 million NSW Federal Road Safety Program.

The NSW Government has granted a two-year extension of Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) contracts, providing stability and continuity for some of the state’s most vulnerable people.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson, has acknowledged that the surge in demand has been driven by the effects of the pandemic, natural disasters, and the escalating housing affordability crisis.

Contracts for Specialist Homelessness Services and the Homeless Youth Assistance Program are set to expire on 30 June 2024.

“I am extending these existing contracts for a further two years. This will increase the current contract term from three years up to five years. The end date for these contracts will change from 30 June 2024 to 30 June 2026,” Ms Jackson said.

“Tens of thousands of people rely on us each year for essential support during times of crisis and it’s important for us to support them and the organisations that work to provide housing solutions to our most vulnerable,”

“We are committed to delivering on our election commitments, which includes longer term, 5-year funding certainty for Specialist Homelessness Services. “This important reform will ensure SHS providers have certainty about funding, staffing, and continuing the incredible work they do to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Specialist Homelessness Services are focused on reducing the number of people who are homeless or living in insecure accommodation in NSW. This includes young people, families, natural disaster victims and women and children escaping domestic violence.

Everyone in NSW should have access to safe and secure housing. The NSW Government is committed towards increasing housing supply and delivering solutions to help break cycles of homelessness.