The Ryde Connector – Autumn 2024

Connector

$479 million

Ryde Hospital Rebuild

I am pleased to announce that a preferred builder for the $479 million Ryde Hospital redevelopment has now been appointed. This is a welcome step in this much-needed project.

Our community has been very patient as we wait for more infrastructure to be built to sustain the ongoing growth. With this redevelopment, we will secure the health care needs of our growing local community while providing our nurses and doctors with an improved, modern workplace and the very best medical facilities.

As your local MP for Ryde, I am enormously proud to be continuing the record funding for our beloved Ryde Hospital — the place where I and so many in our community were born and continue to receive world-class care.

Having clearly heard the wishes of our community to redevelop the hospital as soon as possible, my priority this year is to work constructively with the Ministry of Health, residents and hospital staff on an expedited timeline. This means potentially speeding up the delivery of the project during construction. However, this will require strong community support.

The redevelopment will deliver a new and expanded emergency department and intensive care unit, new theatres, new purpose-built ambulatory care centre, new paediatric short stay unit, more adult overnight inpatient beds and expanded medical imaging. All of which will transform healthcare in Ryde.

If you would like to join me in fighting to bring this community wish to fruition and stay informed, please sign and share to support this movement.

To those who have partnered with me on this campaign, I sincerely thank you – it is essential that we get this win for our community.

A Community Newsletter from Jordan Lane MP, Member for Ryde Shadow Assistant Minister for Health and Multiculturalism

Saving Denistone Bowls

Everybody knows that the new Government’s planning policies are putting more pressure on local green space and community facilities than ever before.

Back when I was the Mayor of Ryde, I started a process to save Denistone Sports Club from being sold or developed, meaning the site would be kept in public hands, for public use.

I am pleased to announce that Ryde Council has now progressed this plan, and is in negotiation with the owners to purchase the site.

In the intervening period, I have been working closely with Ryde Councillor Trenton Brown who is fighting to keep bowls and other recreational activities

506 Bus Survey

happening at Chatham Road, Denistone.

Councillor Brown and I share a similar passion for open space, and I am grateful to all of the bowlers and community members that have engaged so constructively in this process.

Upon completion, this acquisition will represent one of the largest increases in community space in Ryde’s history –something we can all be very proud to have achieved together for current and future generations to enjoy.

You may recall I recently conducted a survey seeking feedback on local bus services in Ryde.

Thanks to the advocacy of several Macquarie Park residents, and the North Ryde Public School P&C, I have asked the local bus operator Busways, and Transport for NSW, to consider a minor re-routing (in both directions) of the 506 bus between Khartoum and Lane Cove Roads.

This would potentially result in the 506 bus travelling along Fontenoy Road, rather than Talavera Road, before continuing along its existing route.

While no decisions have yet been made, I am pleased to report that so far I have received some initially positive news, with Busways indicating they “see validity” in the proposal.

Scan QR for Survey

While the feedback I have received so far suggests that there would be strong support from the Macquarie Park community, there is still a long way to go and I would love to supply Busways and the NSW Government with clearer evidence in relation to this idea.

As your local MP, I am seeking feedback from our community on whether this change is supported or objected to, to ensure that any potential change is centred around the wishes of our community.

My personal view is that incorporating Fontenoy Road would provide easier access to local schools, shops and transport hubs for residents living in the surrounding local streets, and would likely see greater patronage than the current route with fewer residential occupants.

Please scan the QR code and leave your feedback so that I can advocate for better changes in our community.

Pets on Transport

Should we allow pets on public transport?

Australia has some of the highest pet ownership rates in the world, however the law in NSW currently prohibits pets on most public transport. I would love to hear your experiences, and whether you would support or object to any potential change in the law. Please scan the QR code to share your view and read more about my idea for a potential trial.

Scan QR for Survey Scan QR

Back to School Vouchers

As school returned for 2024, I know many local families were disappointed to learn that the NSW Government had cut the $150 ‘Back to School’ voucher program.

These vouchers were an important cost of living measure that helped families with the expense of essential school supplies, uniforms, and technology.

In response to significant community feedback, I have joined with a group of colleagues across the Parliament requesting the Premier restore the Back To School vouchers.

With the cost of living rising, Ryde families need this support now more than ever. I encourage you to sign our petition using the QR code, and share the link with any local parents in your network.

Jordan and Ryde Councillor Trenton Brown at Denistone Sports Club

Grants

We are delighted to announce that we are currently assessing a total of $50,000 in sporting grants and $300,000 in community building grants to support various organisations in Ryde.

These grants aim to enhance the local sporting scene and contribute to the development of a vibrant community. We are excited by the positive impact these grants will inevitably have on our community.

If you are involved in a local community organisation or group, and would like to be informed of future grant opportunities, please reach out to my office (details located on the bottom of the last page). These grant programs are great opportunities to enrich our community and I would like to ensure that local groups take full advantage of these opportunities. I will be more than happy to engage in discussions regarding the grants, providing insights and guidance to optimise your submissions.

My Role as Shadow Assistant Minister

The rising cost of living is having a huge impact on residents in NSW, and thanks to a proposed change to payroll tax by the State Government, could see the costs of visiting a local GP rise by $12 per visit from August 2024.

The NSW Opposition has called on the Government to immediately address these potential fees which will impact 95% of GPs in NSW, and will make it harder for many Ryde locals who need to visit a doctor.

Interpreter services can be organised if required. In order to assist our Korean constituents in addressing State issues, a bilingual Korean staff member will be available to assist Monday to Thursday. To assist our Mandarin speaking constituents, a bilingual staff member is available on Thursdays.

주 정부 현안과 관련된 민원 상담을 도와드립니다. 매주 월요일목요일에는 영어와 한국어를 구사하는 직원이 있습니다. 이메일 또는 전화로 문의 주시길 바랍니다. 의원실 연락처는 마지막 페이지 하단에 있습니다.

如果需要，可以安排口譯服務。 每個星期四，我們還有會講普通 話的工作人員為選民提供服務。

Parliament Watch

Since my election, I have been busy representing you in Parliament: 170 Speeches, 19 Notices of Motion, 126 Questions on Notice and 65 Parliamentary clips on YouTube. You can find more details on these contributions by scanning the relevant QR codes below:

65 Parliamentary clips

170 Speeches

19 Notices of Motion

126 Questions on Notice

Out in the Community

Henry the Melrose Stray

Followers of my social media might remember my partner Natalie and I found a stray kitten – Henry – in Melrose Park earlier this year.

We were distressed to learn there were very few places available to help stray kittens, with many local vets telling us that increased housing density and rising cost of living is causing the number of strays and abandonments to rise exponentially.

Unfortunately, our own cat, Oscar, did not appreciate sharing our relatively small apartment! However, we were fortunate to have come across the Mini Kitty Commune who helped foster Henry until he was healthy enough to be put up for adoption.

There are many reasons to try and reduce the number of stray kittens, not least because it is the humane thing to do, but also because they can cause significant environmental damage.

It led me to speak in the Parliament about some potential solutions to these problems, including:

1. Supporting organisations like The Mini Kitty Commune who help foster and rehome cats just like Henry;

2. Initiating a neutering and spaying program to

Scan QR to watch my speech in Parliament

Australia Day and Lunar New Year

This is a busy time of the year for Ryde, with the Australia Day barbeque and Lunar New Year celebrations in full swing.

Although disappointed to have lost my title as the thong throwing champion to Ollie (pictured on the right), the City of Ryde’s Backyard BBQ was a huge success.

This year we recognised some incredible local citizens and community heroes who have consistently gone above and beyond for Ryde – to each I say thank you, and congratulations.

Lyn Mann was honored as the recipient of the Ryde Citizen of the Year, a well-deserved recognition for her long-term contribution as a local Scout leader. Areg Grigorian, acknowledged as the Young Citizen of the Year, earned this achievement through his contribution to road safety awareness and community volunteering. Peter Bacha OAM was presented with the Medal of the Order of Australia, underscoring his exceptional service to football and his broader contributions to the community.

As always, the annual Lunar New Year celebrations at Eastwood Oval were incredibly vibrant. It was great to see so many people enjoying the festivities and to have the community come together and celebrate the strong cultural diversity of Ryde.