Edition #5
June 2021
Dr Joe McGirr MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
As 2021 has unfolded, we have found ourselves in a year of recovery. The COVID pandemic presented significant challenges, but we have continued to overcome these hurdles. Thank you all for looking after and supporting one another. We are stronger when we unite to overcome the challenges affecting our region.
The good news is that we are still growing. We are seeing major developments in clean energy, health and education, as well as in business and industry. After the challenges of 2020, it is heartening to see our community getting back on its feet in 2021. Warm regards,
As our community grows, we must continue to look after the place where we live and the people we live with. We should live, work and learn in a safe healthy environment.
Dr Joe McGirr
LAKE ALBERT In March a milestone was reached for Lake Albert, with the Minister for Water, the Hon. Melinda Pavey, and Wagga Wagga City Council Mayor, Cr Greg Conkey, signingan agreement which will give Council the ability to top up the lake from the Murrumbidgee River. This is a great step forward in supporting our community to grow and flourish. It gives Wagga Wagga City Council the certainty and confidence to do the work needed to secure a reliable water supply for Lake Albert. This agreement was reached after more than a year of advocacy from many and I commend everyone who worked hard to bring it to fruition.
I would like to acknowledge the Wiradjuri people who are the Traditional Custodians of this land. I would also like to pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
GET IN TOUCH 64 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 PHONE (02) 6921 1622 F (02) 6921 4424 EMAIL waggawagga@parliament.nsw.gov.au VISIT DR. JOE’S WEBSITE www.joemcgirr.com.au 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 May 2021. PAGE 1
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Dr Joe Location: Wagga, NSW McGirr MP
Responsible regional growth
INDEPENDENT MEMBER
FOR WAGGA WAGGA ESTELLA PUBLIC SCHOOL OPENING
It was great to be present at the first-ever assembly at the newly opened Estella Public School. I had the pleasure of touring classrooms and speaking at the official opening, as well as presenting principal Tracey Delaney and student representatives Jana Naser and Joel Sutton-Travers with the NSW State flag. The official opening was carried out by the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, the Hon. Sarah Mitchell. It was delightful to watch the students’ reactions to their first assembly and official guests, particularly the smoking ceremony carried out by Peter Ingram. Responsible regional growth
Location: Batlow, NSW
BUSHFIRE GRANTS
As our communities continue to deal with the tragedy and destruction of the Dunns Road bushfire, it is disappointing that much-needed funding has become the subject of inaccurate political commentary. It is true that a significant amount of bushfire recovery funding has been allocated to industries in the Wagga Wagga electorate. This has been critical to fixing the damage to industries that are fundamental to not only the Snowy Valleys region but the entire state and nation. Even with the ongoing determination shown by the residents of our bushfire-affected communities, rebuilding is going to take some time. Responsible regional growth
Pictured: Principal Tracy Delaney, NSW Nationals Wes Fang MLC, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning the Hon. Sarah Mitchell and student representatives Joel Sutton-Travers and Jana Naser.
Safe and supported communities
Location: Wagga, NSW
TOLLAND HOUSING ESTATE Work to reshape and renew Tolland is beginning in earnest.
Argyle Consortium came out on top of the open tender process to partner with NSW Land and Housing Corporation on the Tolland Renewal project. Argyle’s vision for Tolland includes a mix of new social, affordable and private housing. We have also seen the formation of a working group, which regularly brings together multiple agencies to work on how best to assist the community.
Location: Lockhart, NSW
MINISTER VISIT TO LOCKHART
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, the Hon. Paul Toole, and I visited Lockhart recently to discuss flood mitigation issues. The Minister was able to visit the railway bridge at Brookong Creek and hear from Lockhart Mayor Rodger Schirmer and senior staff about the additional culverts council want installed.
Pictured: Lockhart mayor Rodger Schirmer and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, the Hon. Paul Toole.
Edition #5 June 2021
During the visit, we were also able to show the Minister other flood improvement works that have been completed around Lockhart.
Safe and supported communities
Responsible
Dr Joe McGirr MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
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Location: Tumut, NSW
Responsible regional growth
TRANSGRID
Landowners whose properties will be affected by Transgrid’s HumeLink project have had the chance to bring their concerns directly to Minister for Energy and the Environment, the Hon. Matt Kean. At my invitation, Mr Kean visited the electorate to meet with potentially affected landowners and to tour their properties to see the proposed route. This is an important project for our state and we need to get the route right. That means we must respect the landowners affected. Pictured: Minister for Energy and the Environment, the Hon. Matt Kean, with local landowners.
The Minister also met with representatives of Snowy Valleys Council and Wagga Wagga City Council to discuss TransGrid and other issues.
Location: Wagga, NSW
Responsible regional growth
WAGGA URBAN TRAVEL PLAN
The highly anticipated plan for the future of transport around Wagga Wagga has been released. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, the Hon. Paul Toole unveiled the draft Wagga Wagga Transport Plan, which details how the city’s transport network, infrastructure and services will be developed. It is the first such plan in Regional NSW. This draft plan is looking at the city’s travel options from cycleways to heavy vehicle bypasses, to improving safety and technology for all transport users.
Safe and supported communities
Location: Tumut, NSW
Pictured: Joe Calabro from Busabout, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, the Hon. Paul Toole, Wagga Mayor Greg Conkey, Sam Knight from Transport for NSW and Shaun Williams from Busabout.
TUMUT HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT
The long-awaited Tumut Hospital redevelopment is continuing. I visited the site of the $50 million project recently and I’m looking forward to the opening and the start of services there.
Pictured: Tumut Hospital Facility Manager Katrina Walsh, Richard Crookes Constructions Project Manager Ross Williams, MLHD Cluster Manager Kerry Lindeman & Health Infrastructure NSW Senior Project Director Cath Taylor on the Tumut Hospital Redevelopment site in March 2021.
regional growth
Independent voice
Construction of the new hospital is expected to be completed later this year, with building of a new helipad, car parking and landscaping to follow. I am continuing to advocate for a new ambulance station as part of the development. Edition #5 June 2021
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Dr Joe McGirr MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR WAGGA WAGGA
COMMUNITY DIARY
Wagga Base Hospital The Wagga Wagga renal unit was the first service to move to the new Wagga Wagga Base Hospital health services hub building. The hub is the centrepiece of the third and final stage of the $431 million Wagga Wagga health service redevelopment.
The next construction phase will be the multi-storey car park. I will continue to seek assurances that Wagga Wagga receives the full $30 million that was previously committed to the project and that adequate parking is provided now and for our future. March 2021
2021 Wagga Wagga Woman of the Year, Natalie Randall, of Tumut
Pictured: Natalie and her mother, Lyn Randall.
At the start of this year, I had the pleasure of naming Tumut’s Natalie Randall 2021 Woman of the Year for the Electorate. Natalie has worked in a wide range of roles in the Tumut community, including on the board of Valmar, and as chair of the Tumut Chamber of Commerce. More recently, the mother-of-three has been a strong advocate for the bushfire recovery in the Snowy Valleys local government area, and is a member of the council’s bushfire recovery committee. As a financial planner and business owner, Natalie was able to bring an alternative viewpoint to the recovery process at an extremely difficult time. Congratulations, Natalie, on receiving this award.
April 2021
2021 Anzac Day Commemorations After COVID-19 restrictions saw Anzac Day commemorations called off in 2020, I am sure I’m not alone in expressing how wonderful it was to be able to mark the day once again. I had the privilege of joining Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack, and the
community of The Rock for a stirring dawn service, to commence the Anzac commemorations. As always, it was a humbling experience to walk in the Anzac Day March alongside the men and women, and the descendants of those who have fought for our nation across many conflicts and countries, and pay
tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The mood at the 2021 Anzac Day service at Wagga Wagga’s Victory Memorial Gardens was palpable, and it was evident just how much the community appreciated being able to take part in the commemorative event once again.
May 2021
Meet the MP
This year I’ve had the pleasure of chatting to people at Meet the MP pop up events held at Lake
Albert, Wagga Wagga Marketplace, South City Shopping Centre, Tumut, Batlow and The Rock.
Search for grants and register for grant email alerts at joemcgirr.grantguru.com.au Edition #5 June 2021
I plan to hold more of these events throughout the year. Visit my website to see the full list of upcoming events. Upcoming community engagement events Visit joemcgirr.com.au/your-say Sign up for the latest news from Dr Joe McGirr MP Visit joemcgirr.com.au/newsletter