Cancer Council New South Wales

COUNCIL WELCOMES $6.1 MILLION FUNDING BOOST FOR WILSONS CREEK ROAD AND MULLUMBIMBY ROAD

There is to be major work done on Wilsons Creek Road and Mullumbimby Road after the Australian Government and NSW Government today announced $6.1 million in funding as part of their Build Back Better program.

On the eve of World Cancer Day (3 February), three Northern Rivers residents who advocate for local people affected by cancer attended Cancer Council New South Wales’ (CCNSW) campaign launch “Here for Change” for the upcoming State election, at Parramatta.

Monica Wilcox and Nerida Dean, CCNSW’s Ballina and Tweed electorates MP Liaisons respectively and Ballina Cancer Advocacy Network’s Maureen Fletcher attended the launch to add the regional perspective.

Maureen had advocated at the 2021 Regional, Rural and Remote Health Enquiry for equality of support for people during and after cancer diagnosis especially outside the large metropolitan areas. Then the enquiry went on to verify extensive unfair differences in health outcomes across NSW, including cancer.

These inequities and the fact that one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime drove CCNSW’s election priorities: 1) Increase investment in cancer prevention;

2) Improve detection and diagnosis of bowel cancer;

3) Introduce the highest standard of care for everyone with cancer and

4) Support people to live well during and after a cancer diagnosis so they can have a higher quality of life.

Monica elaborated “Northern Rivers is the second fastest growing region in NSW, adjacent the SE Qld metropolis and our specialist health care centre and yet we struggle with classic regional issues such as limited transport options. We are asking for change that ensures no matter who they are and where they live, people have equitable access to cancer prevention and treatment.”

Professor Sarah Hoskings, CCNSW CEO said “Here in New South Wales, we have some of the best health and cancer care and support but for many, there are still barriers to accessing timely and quality care and support. We must do more to improve outcomes, for everyone.”

You can pledge your support for people affected by cancer by signing Cancer Council’s petition www.canact. com.au/hereforchange

NSW LABOR’S $670 MILLION TO DELIVER RELIEF ON REGIONAL ROAD REPAIRS

LISMORE MP

Janelle Saffn says NSW Labor’s new $670-million Emergency Road Repair Fund is a Minns Labor Government’s frst investment in fxing the critical nature of our regional roads on the Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands.

“For more than a decade, maintenance of regional roads has tended to be patch-up jobs and we’re certainly not doing world’s best practice. We need to turn this around,” Ms Saffn says.

“The Nationals in Government made a signature commitment in 2019 to reclassify and transfer up to 15,000 kilometres of roads to State responsibility but this has been an abject failure and could take another decade. It’s a hollow promise.

“NSW Labor will defer this failed road reclassifcation program and put the existing NSW Budget funding of $193 million – along with an additional $197 million of new money –into a more immediate response because road repair is so urgently needed.”

Ms Saffn says she welcomes NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns and NSW Shadow Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison’s confrmation today

Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, said it’s terrifc news for the residents and people who use the two roads regularly.

“On behalf of Byron Shire Council, thank you to the Australian Government and NSW Government for this money which will be used to rebuild and repair Wilsons Creek Road and Mullumbimby Road so that they are better able to withstand fooding in the future,” Mayor Lyon said.

“The purpose of the Build Back Better program is to not just fx damaged infrastructure, but to effectively build resilience into our road network so that when the next food event happens, the impact is signifcantly reduced.

“Traditionally Governments only provided funding for the restoration of assets after a disaster event, and with Council’s tight budget, we could never afford to do additional improvements which meant we were back fxing the same roads again after the next food event.

“This funding is a major shift in the way Governments approach natural disaster funding, and it sets a good precedent for the future and our ability to be resilient in the fact of expected increases in the frequency of natural disasters,” Mayor Lyon said

Council staff will now start designing the improvements.

Wilsons Creek Road ($3,413 395)

1. Rebuilding of road pavement

2. Shoulder widening

3. Drainage

4. Embankment protection

Mullumbimby Road

($2,770,608) between Manns Road and Gulgan Road

1. Rebuilding of road pavement

2. Shoulder widening

3. Stormwater drainage infrastructure between the Saddle Road and Gulgan Road intersection.