WILLIAMSON URGES NSW LABOR GOVERNMENT TO FIX DRIVER TESTING SHORTAGES IN LOWER CLARENCE

Clarence Nationals

MP Richie Williamson has called on the NSW Labor Government to urgently address the ongoing shortage of driver testing availability at the Maclean Service Centre, which is leaving local communities in the Lower Clarence region without access to essential driving assessments.

Mr Williamson previously raised the issue with the Minister for Customer Service, Jihad Dib, in May this year on behalf of a local driving school and parents whose teenage children seeking to sit for their P-plate test were experiencing lengthy delays.

“At the time, it was acknowledged there were shortages, but I was assured that both short and long-term solutions were being developed to increase testing availability for Maclean and surrounding communities. In the meantime, a driver tester from the Grafton Service Centre was meant to make regular trips to Maclean to provide additional appointments,” Mr Williamson said.

“It appears the problem has not been resolved, with ongoing complaints from driving instructors and parents about the lack of available testing slots.”

“The situation has not improved, and this is having a signifcant impact on people in our region, especially young drivers and elderly residents required to undergo an age-based driving test,” he added.

“I have heard from local driving instructors and community members who are unable to book a driving test in Maclean for the remainder of the year, forcing them to travel to Grafton or even further afeld. This is unacceptable for a community of nearly 17,000 people.”

Despite temporary measures, such as bringing in testers from Grafton, Mr Williamson said the Government must fnd long-term staffng solutions to ensure Lower Clarence residents have access to the services they need.

“It’s not reasonable to expect people to travel a 95-kilometre round trip