Saffin hits the ground running

THE recent NSW election was, from my point of view, a very civil affair, and I thank all involved — my fellow candidates, volunteer campaign teams, the media, and of course, the voters who exercised their democratic rights.

Counting continued at the time of writing but I’m ready to serve a second four-year term as your State Member for Lismore in a Minns Labor Government so that all of my election commitments, large and small, can be delivered.

Two key commitments for Murwillumbah are:

•Keeping open Murwillumbah’s four public schools, consulting all school communities on infrastructure upgrades, including the continuation of Murwillumbah High’s capital works.

•Additional policing resources for Murwillumbah Police Station, starting with $3.7 million for recruitment of additional officers, provision of other services and upgrades, and an implementation plan to make Murwillumbah Police Station 24/7. It remains a great honour to represent the people of our electorate of Lismore.

I welcomed two other NSW Labor election commitments which I believe will make a real difference here in the Northern Rivers region.

A Minns Labor Government will employ an additional 100 frontline National Parks & Wildlife Service staff to tackle uncontrolled weeds and pests, including feral deer, maintain fire trails and support firefighting efforts.

The latest State of the Environment report found pest and invasive weed species cost the NSW economy at least $2 billion a year, with invasives now threatening 70 per cent of threatened native species in NSW. They also heavily impact on farmers’ productivity.

The new staffing commitment builds on Labor’s announcement of a $10-million Good Neighbour Program to end 12 years of Coalition neglect by tackling weeds and pests on public land neighbouring privately held land.

The future of Landcare has been assured with the announcement that a Minns Labor Government will boost its funding to a record $59 million over the next four years to support the 60,000 volunteers,

Students excelling

BOGANGAR PUBLIC School students have achieved outstanding results in the pool as part of the North Coast Swimming Championships.

The school’s assistant principal Alyson McIntyre wrote to The Weekly to share the news with readers and heap praise on the students’ outstanding efforts.

NORTHERN NSW’S

Range Of Cub Cadet Mowers

3,000 local groups and 84 full-time coordinators across NSW.

I lobbied hard to secure this NSW Labor commitment on behalf of the North Coast Regional Landcare Network and all local Landcare groups within our electorate.

The network’s chairperson Jim Kinkead briefed me on the need for more funding so that Landcare coordinators and volunteers can continue their great work with landholders across the Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands regions.

The network is made up of 11 catchment/local government area-based local Landcare Networks from the Tweed to the Hastings which support best practices for managing land and water across all landscapes for a healthy environment.

“Congratulations to the amazing efforts of these students who approached every race with a smile, gave it their everything and set lots of personal bests,” Ms McIntyre said. “You should be extremely proud of yourselves.”

A total of 14 students hit the pool in a fierce competition, with plenty of fun, cheering and encouragement from the side of the pool.

“We all gave each race our everything with lots of personal bests set,” Ms McIntyre said.

Bogangar Public School competes under the banner of Far North Coast and this year the Far North Coast zone won the carnival.

“As a school we placed fourth overall,” she said.

Ms McIntyre said ten “very excited” students who placed in the top three of their events are heading to Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre in early April to participate in the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association Swimming Championships. The students are as follows:

•8yrs 50m freestyle — Olive and Isla

•10yrs 50m freestyle — Piper

•Junior 50m backstroke — Piper

•Junior 50 breaststroke — Piper

•11yrs 50m butterfly — Krista

•Junior girls 4 x 50m freestyle relay — Aurora, Bonnie, Piper and Lamani

•Senior girls 4 x 50m freestyle relay — Krista, Sadie, Sophie and Xienna