November 2022 Newsletter

Dr Joe McGirr MP

Our electorate has faced another year of challenges, but we continue to tackle them with resilience, strength and a sense of commitment to our families and friends and to the broader community.

INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA

After two years of lockdowns and restrictions, 2022 has seen us overcome some of the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have had fresh challenges too. We have once again seen flooding rains, which have impacted landowners and communities along the river.

But even in the face of adversity, the people of the Wagga Wagga electorate worked together, alongside our wonderful emergency volunteers, to protect their community.

While rising costs impact many households and businesses, I am grateful we live in a community that strives to support those most in need. As 2022 draws to a close and we reflect on the year, I look forward with optimism to 2023.

From my family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

GET IN TOUCH

VISIT 64 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

PHONE (02) 6921 1622

EMAIL waggawagga@parliament.nsw.gov.au WEBSITE www.joemcgirr.com.au

OUR LOCAL SES

Dr Joe McGirr MP

INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA

This year’s continuing wet weather and flood concerns have been the latest challenge faced by volunteers with the State Emergency Service, who are dedicated to keeping our communities safe. We are fortunate in this electorate to have many wonderful volunteers.

Tumut SES unit commander Leanne Gregory has been a member of the organisation for 30 years. She and her husband Jon joined together.

When she first became involved, Mrs Gregory’s plan was to take on the administrative and financial work of the local unit, but over three decades, the couple’s involvement has only continued to grow.

Mr Gregory, who is now the Riverina Highlands district manager with the Rural Fire Service, served as the local SES controller for 20 years.

For Mrs Gregory, becoming unit commander was a natural progression after her previous years of service.

Like their colleagues around the state, members of the Tumut SES have found this year a busy one as they attempt to return to a regular footing after the pandemic.

The continuing wet weather has members constantly monitoring local dam and river levels. In contrast, it was almost three years ago they were offering assistance wherever they were able to, as the community dealt with the devastating Dunns Road bushfire.

While the challenges may vary for Mrs Gregory, the rewards remain unchanged.

“I enjoy being able to help the community,” she says.

The NSW SES recently recorded its busiest 12-month period on record, according to Commissioner Carlene York.

“Over the past year we’re seen such sustained and significant operations right across the State with our members performing more than 412,000 voluntary hours of service,” Commissioner York said.

Between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022, the NSW SES received more than 64,000 requests for assistance, undertook 2,645 flood rescues and completed more than 38,000 storm-related jobs.

NSW SES members also assisted the NSW Police Force in numerous land search, general land and vertical rescue activities.

NSW SES units across the State were also kept busy, helping people whose property was damaged by thunderstorms, hail, wind, rain, flash and riverine flooding and large surf and coastal erosion.

NSW SES members were also active as ‘community first responders’, providing life-saving first aid treatments and pre-hospital care.

“Our volunteers worked around the clock door knocking and warning communities of pending risks and taking part in rescue and evacuation operations,” Commissioner York said.

Wagga Wagga’s Brendan Stent is a relative newcomer, having joined the SES at The Rock almost 18 months ago.

For Mr Stent, a former Australia Army medic, the SES not only offers an opportunity to use his skills and continue to serve the community, it also provides a sense of camaraderie, something he missed after leaving the military.

“Being in the SES gives me a chance to continue to utilise the skills I acquired during my time in the army,” he said.

Photo supplied by NSW SES

Dr Joe McGirr MP

PARLIAMENT RECAP

INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA

It was another busy year for the NSW Parliament in 2022, with some important legislative reforms being considered by members of both houses. I have continued to advocate for the community on important issues.

I was pleased with the response to the petition I launched calling for the establishment of an independent department of rural health. I am continuing to advocate that the Division of Regional Health will address the needs of regional, remote and rural NSW.

Housing and homelessness remain a major concern. As with elsewhere in the state, we are facing a lack of available housing, particularly affordable homes. I have been pushing to see the Tolland Renewal Project move forward as we look for ways to address this ongoing problem.

I have also been seeking community support for a petition which calls on the government to ensure people undergoing radiotherapy treatment in Wagga Wagga and the soon-toopen Griffith centre are not left out of pocket. The government has committed to ensuring there are no out-of-pocket expenses for Griffith patients and I am seeking similar assurances for Wagga Wagga.

Action to address climate change remains a priority I support for our community. We are in the midst of an energy revolution that will deeply affect regional NSW. We need to make sure that regional and rural communities are treated fairly. That is why I have been raising concerns about overhead transmission lines, as well as a number of solar factories that are popping up in our area.

The Inland Rail project is nation-building infrastructure, but it has the potential to adversely impact Wagga Wagga. I have called on the government to address community concerns about noise and vibration and impacts on traffic, particularly around the Docker-Bourke streets crossing and Edmondson Street bridge. Unless these can be addressed, I believe a bypass of Wagga Wagga should be considered.

After advocating strongly for improvements, I was pleased to see much-needed changes made to the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme. This scheme can help make a real difference to regional, rural and remote residents who are facing the substantial costs of travelling to the city for medical treatment.

With the passing of the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Bill, a new offence relating to abusive behaviour towards current and former intimate partners has been created in NSW to help combat domestic and family violence. I have worked with my Independent colleagues on amendments to improve based on feedback from industry.

The introduction of ride-sharing services in recent years has permanently changed the state’s taxi industry. I have pushed to ensure taxi licence owners are adequately compensated for the losses brought about by these changes.

It was pleasing to see the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council will be demerged, I am continuing to press for Snowy Valleys Council’s request to demerge to be promptly acted on and for the community’s wishes to be heard.

Floods have impacted our city this year, causing financial losses and enormous impacts on affected residents and landowners. I have repeatedly called for changes to be made to dam management so that flood mitigation is properly considered.

With plans for the $20-million second stage of the Riverina Conservatorium no longer progressing, work on examining alternatives for performances spaces in Wagga Wagga is in the early stages. I will continue to push the government to honour its commitment to provide facilities.

PROJECT UPDATES

Dr Joe McGirr MP

INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA

From the outset, my vision for the electorate has been responsible regional growth and safe, supported communities. I am pleased we continue to see the emergence of the infrastructure and services we need to support our growing community.

Work is continuing at Bomen on development of the Special Activation Precinct and the Riverina Intermodal Freight and Logistics hub.

It has been great to see the new ambulance station at Tumut taking shape. Services at the new $50 million hospital were officially opened in October 2022.

Work is continuing on a new roundabout at the Snowy Mountains Highway and Gocup Road intersection in Tumut following my advocacy for a safer intersection at this junction of the key local transport link.

Stage one initial works are now complete. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2023.

It is exciting to see work nearing completion on the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital multi-storey car park. The car park will be a huge asset for the precinct, where parking has been an issue for years.

The relentless wet weather has led to more potholes on our roads. I have called on the government to use the $45 million it collected in fines, after banning signs on mobile speed cameras, as a starting point to begin the work of repairing our roads. I was pleased to hear the government announce $50 million in grants funds to help repair potholes on regional roads.

2022

< Official opening of Tumut Hospital, October

COMMUNITY DIARY

It’s always a pleasure to travel across the electorate to meet with residents. This year I’ve hosted events in Wagga Wagga, Uranquinty, Lockhart, Humula, Talbingo, Tumut and Batlow.

In June, I held my third annual Seniors Forum in Wagga Wagga. This year we were joined by Minister for Seniors Mark Coure MP. It was excellent to have the Minister present to hear the insightful feedback raised. Thank you to everyone who attended.

It was a delight to recently attend two momentous anniversaries in Lockhart. In September, the Greens Gunyah Museum celebrated its 50th anniversary, then in October, it was an honour to address the 125th Anniversary of Lockhart Central School.

The Batlow United Community Chamber (BUCC) continues to meet quarterly, and is open to all members of the community. The community continues to strengthen in the years following the 2019-2020 bushfires, with much innovation and growth occurring locally.

Thank you to everyone who attended one of my Meet the MP and Pop Up Office events this year. These are opportunities for you to bring your concerns to me outside of my electorate office and I look forward to holding more of these events.

In October, I hosted a Grants Webinar run by ‘The Grants Guy’ Keith Wheelan. I hope community groups looking to apply for grants found this useful and if you’d like to watch the webinar there’s a recording on my website.

COMMUNITY DIARY

Dr Joe McGirr MP

INDEPENDENT

MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA

Recently I’ve presented Community Service Awards to two very deserving members of our community, Deb Bewick and Tom Looney.

Mrs Bewick is currently president of the Uranquinty Progress Association and Wagga Wagga Autism Support Group. In these roles, Mrs Bewick helps build connections and provide much needed support across the community.

Mr Looney has made - and continues to make - significant contributions to local charities, including Edel Quinn Shelter for homeless men, Country Hope, and the Wagga Support Group.

Mr Looney was also the founding treasurer of the Riverina Men Of League, is a life member of the Wagga Kangaroos Rugby League Club, and has served on the Touch Football and Wagga Rugby League committees.

I also had the pleasure of presenting a Community Heroes award to Peter and Trish Hilton for their many years of volunteering, particularly through South Wagga Anglican Church.

Community Service Award presented to Deb Bewick (May 2022)

Community Heroes Award presented to Trish and Peter Hilton (August 2022)

Community Service Award presented to Tom Looney (September 2022)

Prep: 15 mins Cook: 12-20 mins

RECIPE

Ingredients

275g plain flour

125g icing sugar

200g butter

Pinch of salt

Fan forced: 175°C Conventional: 190°C

Bev’s Shortbread

This is a family recipe – Kerin’s mum learnt it many years ago from Judith Durham’s sister, who was a friend!

Method

1. Mix all together thoroughly.

2. Knead well until it is a workable dough.

3. Cut into desired shapes (1/4 inch or 60mm thick). Can be rolled into sausage shapes and cut into rounds. Can decorate with chopped glacé cherries or fruits.

4. Bake on biscuit tray with baking paper at 175 – 190°C for 12 – 20 minutes (keep a close eye on it as it can brown quickly, and you should remove before they go brown).

Notes

• Bake for 12 minutes for small size or children’s rolled out shapes.

• Put a tray under shortbread (or on bottom rung) to prevent bottom of shortbread browning too much.

This newsletter is printed on Revive Laser and is 100% Recycled, and Certified Carbon Neutral by the Department of Environment under the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS). Made in Australia by an ISO 14001 certified mill. No chlorine bleaching occurs in the recycling process.

AUTHORISED BY JOE MCGIRR MP, INDEPENDENT, 64 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650.

PRINTED

BY CHAMBERS WHYTE DESIGN AND PRINT, 5 Rabaul Place, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 using parliamentary entitlements November 2022.

INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA