R PEE
HE M
LEANERS, LIFTERS PICNIC IN SUPPORT TRADIES TUNE LANDSCAPE LINKS GREG BAINES SHOW TIGERS LEFT P IN T OF WIND DAY UP@B’DORE RURAL AND TAXES FOR SMALL BIRDS AT X GALLERY ROVERS SCORELESS DISTRICT NEWS 3 BUSINESS NEWS 4 LETTERS & OPINION 6 LAND & FOOD 3 ART & CRAFT 9 SPORTS REPORTS 12 Bungendore’s Community Newspaper Wednesday 18 June 2014 Year 2014/ Week 25 www.bungendoremirror.com.au IRRO
Photo by Kate Leith
Trans Tasman skills trialed Printed by Spotpress Pty Ltd
Printed on 52 gsm Norstar newsprint made from recycled and plantation grown fibres
Free Press Proprietory Limited
Small & game
Mick Hudson from Cobar and his dog Hent guiding sheep through a ramp at the Trans Tasman Dog Trial, held in patchy weather at the Bungendore Showgrounds last weekend. REPORT NEXT WEEK
Published by Free Press Pty Ltd ABN 59103101140
�Once in a generation' opportunity for region Press Release Member for Monaro John Barilaro has described the 2014-15 NSW Budget as a ‘once in a generation’ outcome for the Monaro. Mr Barilaro said the budget brings together vital road infrastructure projects in the Monaro such as the Kings Highway and Queanbeyan bypass. It also lays the foundation for solid investment in health projects throughout the region including $1.2 million to begin construction on the $1.6 million new Jindabyne HealthOne. “This budget delivers a once in a generation opportunity for the region to set in stone key projects that will transform the road network for many generations to come. The Government
will spend $25 million for the construction of the Queanbeyan Bypass (Ellerton Drive Extension), which together with a commitment from the Commonwealth Government, will see the completion of a bypass around Queanbeyan to improve freight movements and enable housing development. The budget has also allocated around $22.3 million for Kings Highway safety works,” Mr Barilaro said. He said the budget reflects a significant turnaround in public finances. “When we came to office in 2011 NSW lagged on jobs growth, productivity, housing approvals and business confidence. In three short years we have seen NSW rise again to become the power-
house of the nation. We are growing at three times the rate of Queensland and Victoria, housing approvals are at their highest levels in over a decade and the unemployment rate is the second lowest in the nation.” State MLC and Country Labor Candidate for Monaro Steve Whan is less enthusiastic about the budget. “The Liberal and Nationals fourth budget is continuing the disappointing record of its predecessors by failing to deliver for the Monaro electorate. There is nothing we didn’t already know in this budget and unfortunately yet again we are not getting our fair share in Monaro. “I am particularly disappointed that the Kings and
Monaro Highways have done so poorly. This budget allocates $10 million to the Kings Highway, which means that, overall for Mr Barilaro’s four year term, the Kings Highway has had a cut in funding compared to Labor’s last term. “I do welcome the funding for
John Barilaro and Steve Whan
the Ellerton Drive extension in Queanbeyan being included in the budget which means that, no matter who is elected next March, that project will go ahead. “The real story of this budget for Monaro is the threat to our services posed by cuts to health and education. There is no getting away from the fact that the Nationals cuts at State and Federal level are going to hurt our capacity to offer kids the education they need to succeed in the world and will affect the services available in local hospitals,” Steve Whan said. Mr Barilaro continued, “The Monaro will share in $1 billion in additional new funds for infrastructure projects to be delivered to regional communities through Restart NSW. The
Monaro will also benefit from a share in $37.5 million allocated for Fixing Country Roads, a program designed to improve regional roads managed by local government, especially roads to allow higher mass vehicles to operate.” Pensioners will be better off under measures to ease the pensioners’ ‘bill shock’ resulting from Federal budget cuts. The NSW Government will contribute an additional $107 million in the state budget towards concessions for 2014-15, which will go towards discounted public transport fares, cheaper energy and water bills, council rates and vehicle registration. The 2014-15 Budget includes funding for the following P2 projects:
EACH WEEK THE MIRROR IS DISTRIBUTED TO 5.500 MAIL POINTS THROUGHOUT THE WESTERN PART OF THE PALERANG COUNCIL AREA