Your Country Your Voice
Andrew GEE MP
INDEPENDENT FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CALARE RUNS ON THE BOARD FOR CABONNE √ $2 billion for Great Western highway upgrade √ $40 million for Mitchell Highway upgrades between Orange and Molong √ $2.1 million for streetscape improvements in Molong and Canowindra √ $15 million for a new Molong Multipurpose Service
I'M CALLING FOR A PARLIAMENTRY INQUIRY
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ast week, I held a community meeting in Molong to hear from storm and floodaffected residents and business owners about how they have been treated by insurers following the November ’22 storm and flood event. Overwhelmingly, locals shared devastating stories of being left high and dry by their insurers in the months since the devastation. We heard about claims being delayed, claims being denied, insurance company collusion on hydrology reports, and a very concerning story about what happened to one local business owner that warrants further investigation. Appallingly, eight months on from the
√ $492,410 for construction of the Eugowra Community Centre √ 24 hour rescue helicopter √ $408,000 for childcare/early learning services in Molong √ $700,000 for Bangaroo Bridge Replacement √ $117,396 for resurfacing and new lighting at the East Molong Tennis Club √ $60,000 for the Molong water tank artwork √ $390,210 for new lighting and nets at Molong Rec Ground √ $308,175 for an education and info centre at the Australian National Field Days site at Borenore
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disaster, the insurance claims of many Molong locals are still up in the air. That’s why I’m calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the response of insurers to natural disasters in Australia. Time and time again after disasters, we have seen insurance companies weasel out of paying out claims. Enough is enough. Thank you to everyone who came along, and opened up about how they have been treated by insurers. The heartbreaking stories shared at the community meeting reinforced the need for a lens to be turned insurance companies.
AMAZING WORK, MOLONG RSL SUBBRANCH!
n Molong last week, it was great to catch up with Marc Mathews, Compensation and Rehabilitation Advocate at the Molong RSL Sub-Branch. Recently, the Sub-Branch received $19,000 across three different grants to support the amazing work they do for veterans in our local community. It’s fantastic that the Molong RSL Sub-Branch received a Volunteer Grant, which will enable the group to update their office with new computers and office furniture to give their operations a boost! The Sub-Branch also got the green light for a Building Excellence in Support and Training grant, which will provide the group with greater financial support to deliver wellbeing advocacy training to assist veterans and their families who are seeking compensation. A massive congratulations to the group for also securing a Saluting Their Service grant, which will assist the group to construct a Memorial Garden to commemorate the servicemen and women who have served in modern conflicts, such as Afghanistan, Iraq and East Timor. Once complete, this will be the first memorial in the Central West to mark contemporary conflict.
Andrew with Levi Thurston from NLT Insurance Brokers, local small business owner Brendon Kent and Solicitor Kirsty Evans at the public meeting on insurance at Molong last wednesday
LOCAL BUSINESSES STILL BATTLING INSURANCE COMPANIES
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ecently, I caught up with local businesswoman, Kate Redfern, to have a chat about the ongoing insurance issues facing many businesses in Molong.
investors in this beautiful town need to feel confident to buy in Molong knowing they will be supported by insurers should the worst happen.
While Kate and Sal's insurance claim for the old cafe building on Bank Street was granted, they are still waiting for an official verdict on her new building - an astounding eight months since the storm and flood event in Molong! These delays are inexcusable.
It's good to see that local businesses are still pressing on with their insurance claims, but insurers need to be doing more to make sure rural communities can stand on their own two feet after disaster strikes. Our residents deserve better.
Unfortunately for many businesses on Bank Street, it’s the same story… Disappointingly, insurers trying to do the right thing to help our local communities get back on their feet are few and far between. After my chat with Kate, it’s clear that without people taking a degree of risk to purchase or open a business on the main street of Molong, the CBD would be non-existent. Future
Andrew with Kate Redfern
√ $2.5 million for an ambulance station in Molong √ $2.59 million for new overtaking lanes on the Cargo Road
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t’s fantastic that Cabonne Council has received $1.5 million through the Disaster Ready Fund to go towards important disaster resilience and risk reduction projects in the region.
√ $185,764 for a new amenities block and support for the Molong Showground and Society √ 47 mobile phone towers and base stations for Calare
$1.5 MILLION FOR FLOOD RESILIENCE PLANNING IN CABONNE
Andrew with Kane Bird, Thomas Squires, and Marc Matthews at the site of the new garden, at the entrance to Molong RSL Club
Cabonne Council will use the funds to deliver flood risk prevention and mitigation
ORANGE ELECTORATE OFFICE 1/179A Anson Street PO Box 673 Orange NSW 2800
(02) 6361 7138 @ andrew.gee.mp@aph.gov.au www.andrewgeemp.com.au Authorised by Andrew Gee, Suite 1/179A Anson Street Orange, NSW 2800.
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MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 15 June 2023
strategies, particularly after the devastating storm and flood event of November 2022. Jointly-funded by the NSW and Federal government, the Disaster Ready Fund aims to help communities curb the devastating impacts of natural hazards.
For regular updates and news, follow me on Facebook and Instagram @andrewgeecalare
