Premier reports back to Macarthur families

30 June 2009

NSW Premier Nathan Rees today returned to Macarthur to provide a report back to the community regarding issues raised at his recent public forum.

As part of the NSW Cabinet’s visit to the area in May, the community was given an opportunity to speak directly to the Premier and Cabinet Ministers at a public forum.

“I gave a commitment that my Ministers and I would report back on the issues raised, and I’m here today to do just that,” Mr Rees said.

Issues raised at the Public Forum included:

• Transport, including Picton Easy Access Upgrade and local bus services;
• Roads issues, including Camden Valley Way; and
• Police issues, including Narellan Police Station and graffiti.

The Premier and key Ministers including Transport Minister David Campbell, Police Minister Tony Kelly and senior public servants met with community leaders and stakeholders to report back on what action the Government is taking to address these issues.

Transport

Picton Easy Access Upgrade

Mr Rees said the project would be brought forward with construction now set to start in October 2010 – six months ahead of schedule.

“The community and your local MP Phil Costa have made a strong argument for the need for this project,” Mr Rees said.

“This is a great win for local commuters and as a result of the hard work of your local MP, this will be delivered ahead of schedule.”

Local bus services

Mr Rees announced that from October the Route 872 bus from Glenfield to Liverpool will be extended – delivering an extra three bus services linking Campbelltown with Liverpool via a similar route.

An issue was also raised about the on-time running of buses on Route 870.

The Ministry of Transport has been asked to continue to monitor services on that route.

The local bus company advised that this was mainly due to works at the Liverpool Transport Interchange which are due to be completed in the next six months.

Roads

The NSW government has committed to the expenditure of $104 million over four years towards the upgrade of Camden Valley Way to four lanes between Bernera and Narellan Roads.

Funding was delivered in this year's budget to meet that commitment and work is continuing on the upgrade.

"Award of the next construction contract for the section between Bernera and Cowpasture Roads is expected in July,” Mr Rees said.

"Our commitment to delivering the upgrade to Camden Valley Way is solid - and we have provided the funding to back that commitment.”

Police

Narellan Police Station

Heritage issues around the St Thomas Chapel which neighbours the site for the new $16.9 million Narellan Police Station were raised.

Camden Council worked with NSW police on the design of the building, taking heritage issues into consideration.

The design approved by Council ensures:

• a view corridor
• changes to the masonry colour to a more sympathetic tone
• changes to the window placements, and
• a reduction in the bulk of the proposed carport

The tender for the new station will be issued in August, with construction to commence by the end of 2009 with a completion date by mid 2011.

Graffiti

As a direct result of concerns expressed by Wollondilly Council to the Police Minister, changes have been made to the process of reporting graffiti and vandalism.

“As a result of an issue raised at Community Cabinet meeting here in Macarthur, we have changed the process for reporting graffiti and vandalism at the Police Assistance Line,” Mr Rees said.

"Now anyone in the community can report vandalism and graffiti to the Police Assistance Line which will take the report and get the local police involved.

"Prior to this change, only the property owner could make the report - but this means any concerned person can report instances to get a local response from police.”