Page unveils Nationals’ North Coast policy
More Pacific Highway funding, construction of the Alstonville bypass, the return of train services and capital expenditure for Ballina District Hospital were they key ‘ingredients’ as Shadow Minister for North Coast Don Page today unveiled the key elements of the NSW Nationals’ North Coast policy.
In an address to the NSW Nationals Annual Conference being held in Ballina, Mr Page said that under the current Labor Government the North Coast had been starved of Government support.
He said the NSW Nationals would ‘deliver in spades for our country and coastal communities’.
“Due to of the changing nature of North Coast seats, and the importance of the area to the Nationals, the first thing we will do in government is appoint a Minister for the North Coast, ” Mr Page said.
“It is important that the needs and aspirations of this growing area be actively represented at the Cabinet table.
“The first thing our Minister for the North Coast will do is to ensure delayed infrastructure investment is brought on line. There are already a number of projects we have committed ourselves to. These include, for example, the immediate construction of the Alstonville bypass promised by Labor in March 2003 but still not delivered.
“We will also reinstate train services on the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line, axed by Labor two years ago. We want to introduce commuter rail services on this line which would also connect with the XPT services at Casino.
“Lismore Base, Grafton Base, Ballina and Byron Shire Hospitals are also on our agenda for major capital expenditure.
“At the conclusion of the current Federal/State Auslink agreement the Nationals would be looking to substantially increase the State Government’s contribution to the Pacific Highway to enable the dual carriageway from Hexham to the Queensland border to be completed as soon as possible.”
Mr Page also urged The Nationals to develop more proactive policies to deal with the effects of global warming and climate change.
