Molong Express 2 February 2023

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Your Country Your Voice

Andrew GEE MP

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 √ $492,410 for construction of the Eugowra Community Centre √ 24 hour rescue helicopter

NEW YEAR, NEW BEGINNING Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and got a little bit of a break after the harvest. I wish all of our students and teachers the best as school returns after the summer break. As many of you are aware, before Christmas I resigned from the National Party, and issued the statement opposite setting out the reasons. I will be contesting the next election as an independent. This was an extremely difficult decision however my mission to fight for our country communities remains unchanged and I would welcome your support. Come and join me!

CELEBRATING AUSTRALIA DAY IN MOLONG Australia Day is a day to reflect, respect and celebrate what it means to be Australian. It’s about our history, our spirit, our people, the best of this country, our mateship, our strong sense of community, our resilience and looking to the future with optimism. I can think of no better example than the way the local community has come together during the recent storms/ floods. The past few years have definitely been challenging but what’s gotten us through is how people have put the care and safety of others above themselves. This spirit of service above self has always sustained our nation, and it goes to the very heart of what it is to be an Australian.

√ $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 √ $2.5 million for an ambulance station in Molong √ $2.59 million for new overtaking lanes on the Cargo Road √ $185,764 for a new amenities block and support for the Molong Showground and Society √ 44 mobile phone towers and base stations for Calare

You should all be very proud! A massive congratulations to you all!

As the recovery from the recent storms and floods continues, people across the region are asking “How do we stop this happening again?” Molong has had three major flooding events in the past 12 months. It can’t go on like this. The toll on residents’ health and finances is simply too high.

√ $700,000 for Bangaroo Bridge Replacement

√ $60,000 for the Molong water tank artwork

Young Citizen of the Year: George Betts Citizen of the Year: Wendy McNab Community Group of the Year: Molong Hospital Auxiliary Cabonne Sportsperson of the Year - Juliette Mills Cabonne Youth Ambassador - Tengis Meiklejohn

FLOOD MITIGATION URGENTLY NEEDED

√ $408,000 for childcare/early learning services in Molong

√ $117,396 for resurfacing and new lighting at the East Molong Tennis Club

The Australia Day award recipients from Molong are:

One thing that the NSW Government can do is get the Molong Creek rail bridge raised or moved. This may not prevent future flooding but it would certainly greatly lessen the impacts. It’s no good for government to simply feel the community’s pain and move on. This issue must be addressed. The future of Molong depends on it. I would encourage all candidates at the upcoming NSW election to commit to resolving the issue with the bridge and also carrying out other necessary mitigation work along the Andrew with Phil Davis on the traffic island creek. outside his home in Hill Street, Molong

Another thing that the NSW Government could do is commit to removing the traffic islands in Hill Street (along the highway opposite the REC Ground) and levelling the gradient of the road. As things stand, the highway is built up higher than the gutters. This combined with traffic islands is creating a mini dam which is making any flooding much worse. Currently the water is running down Hill Street and coming in from Gidley Street well before any water from the creek gets there. You can still see the dirt and gravel that recently washed into the islands. Phil Davis (pictured) and other local residents have had enough. They need action.

Some relatively simple road works and the removal of the traffic islands would greatly alleviate the situation. An insurance assessor has already looked at the road and said the level is too high. I have raised this issue with the premier and relevant NSW Minister and will keep the community updated on a response. It’s time to get cracking on solutions rather than hoping the next storm won’t be as bad the last one.

THE VOICE - HISTORY IS CALLING I really enjoyed catching up with Kishaya Delaney and Alisha Agland who are members of the Uluru Youth Network, Annette Steele, CEO of Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council and Jamie Newman, CEO of Orange Aboriginal Medical Service. We discussed the Voice to Parliament and its importance to Australia and our local communities. As the YES campaign gathers local momentum, I would encourage everyone in our area to be part of the conversation and engage with goodwill, open minds and generosity of spirit. Together we can do it. Andrew with Kishaya Delaney (on screen), Alisha Agland (on screen) and Annette Steele and Jamie Newman

ORANGE ELECTORATE OFFICE 1/179A Anson Street PO Box 673 Orange NSW 2800

For regular updates and news, follow me on Facebook and Instagram @andrewgeecalare

(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.

MOLONG EXPRESS, Thursday 2 February 2023

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