Dear Friends, Michael Johnsen MP
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Dear Friends,
Welcome to my June 2017 Budget Newsletter.
Like many in our community, I welcomed the
great news for our Upper Hunter electorate
that came from the Coalition Government’s
2017-18 Budget. I am proud to be a Member
of the Government which provides investment
for essential services including health,
education, family and community services, as
well as vital infrastructure for our roads and
road networks.
The last six months have been months of
hard work, as I advocated for better resources
and delivered outcomes for our electorate
as a whole. Some of those outcomes were
announced over those last six months, whilst
others arrived in this Budget, and I am proud
to share those funding benefits with you now.
As I have said before, it is important that the
voice of the Upper Hunter is being heard,
which is why, once again in this newsletter, I
ask a ‘Tell Me What You Think’ question. I look
forward to hearing your responses.
Kind regards,
Michael Johnsen MP
Member for Upper Hunter
Sign up for the newsletter at
www.michaeljohnsen.com.au
'Tell Me What
You Think'
Your voice is so important. That’s why, in
each newsletter, I want to explore a big
“Upper Hunter electorate state-wide issue together and hear your
thoughts on that issue.
parents will be able to Energy prices are, for some, a real
concern, not only in NSW but
claim $100 per child for across Australia. But Australia is of
course a nation blessed with huge
sport participation with uranium deposits.
the introduction of the
My question to you is:
Active Kid Rebate from Would you support the NSW
Government creating a nuclear power
next year. The rebate industry as part of a broad mix of
won't be means-tested, energy sources for NSW if there were
appropriate environmental safeguards,
so parents of all and if that industry created inexpensive,
reliable energy for our communities?
school-aged children
Email me at:
will be eligible for the upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au
or write to me at:
reimbursement per year.” PO Box 493 Muswellbrook NSW 2333
Sign up for the newsletter at
www.michaeljohnsen.com.au
Phone 02 6543 1065 | Fax 02 6543 1416
Email upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Address 20 Bridge Street,
Muswellbrook NSW 2333
Authorised by Michael Johnsen MP
Printed by Hunter Valley Printing,
90 Kelly St, Scone NSW 2337
Printed in June 2017 using
parliamentary entitlements
THE NSW
The NSW Budget 2017-18 shows our state is
expected to record a surplus of $4.5 billion
in 2016-17. There is also a forecasted surplus
of $2.7 billion for 2017-18 and forecasted
surpluses of $2 billion on average over the
BUDGET
four years to 2020-21. This is great news for the
Upper Hunter, giving us a sturdy foundation for
continuing to invest in our local communities.
Overleaf is an overview of the 2017-18 Upper
Hunter Electorate Budget and funding highlights
for projects across our region. Over the next
fiscal year, we will invest in building, maintaining
UPPER HUNTER
and improving local infrastructure like hospitals,
housing, roads and public transport. By using
funding wisely and strategically, we can ensure
the Upper Hunter continues to be a flourishing
place for people to live and work.
We are pleased to report a
For more information about the NSW Budget
healthy budget forecast for 2017-18 and continued improvements to
the Upper Hunter region building and service infrastructure across the
Upper Hunter region, please visit:
over the coming fiscal year. myinfrastructure.planning.nsw.gov.au
$96 million to continue improving and maintaining our local roads, including upgrading pavement, intersections and overtaking lanes on the Golden Highway and New England Highway, commencing construction of the New England Highway Bypass of Scone, and planning construction for the New England Highway Singleton bypass and Muswellbrook bypass to continue maintaining and improving our bridges, including upgrading the bridge over Glennies Creek on Middle Falbrook Road and planning for the upgrade of the Clarence Town Bridge over Williams River on Limeburners Creek Road, among others $250,000 to continue improving fire and rescue infrastructure in Murrurundi $100 per child yearly reimbursement for parents whose children participate in sporting activities (note: the Active Kid Rebate will not be means-tested) $432,000 to continue upgrading the Dungog Wastewater Treatment Works $17.2 million to continue upgrading Muswellbrook and Singleton hospitals $7.8 million to support social housing in Hillsdale, Singleton and elsewhere $6 million + to continue improving and maintaining our local rail and bus services, and to provide more accessible transportation services for the elderly, people with disabilities and their carers, and those disadvantaged by physical, geographical or social factors $3.8 million + to improve and create new highway rest areas, including along the Golden Highway at Denman and Warkworth, and a heavy vehicle rest area at Willy Wally Road These funding projects and more will take place over the coming fiscal year across the Upper Hunter region, helping our local communities continue to thrive. We look forward to keeping you informed as the projects unfold.
In Other News
Fire and Rescue NSW Graduates Singleton Regional Livestock
We recently celebrated our Community First Responder Market Upgrade
graduates from the Fire and Rescue NSW. These people are
first to an accident and provide life-saving assistance until Businesses in the Upper Hunter electorate are preparing
paramedics arrive. Thank you for all that you do to look for a major economic boost with construction commencing
after our community. on the Singleton Regional Livestock Market upgrade.
Lobbying for Muswellbrook and Merriwa - Willow Tree Road Funding
An investment of $5.57 million will see the complete sealing
Singleton Bypass Funding of the Merriwa-Willow Tree Road. This is a great example of
There are many things on my agenda for which we need how NSW Nationals are delivering great improvements to the
to lobby further. This includes lobbying the federal Upper Hunter.
government to include its share of the Muswellbrook and
Singleton bypasses in the next round of national roads Stage Two of the Muswellbrook
funding which starts 1 July 2019.
Hospital Redevelopment
Our Beautiful Old Bridges The Nationals are committed to delivering the best
With so many waterways, roads and people relying on healthcare and healthcare facilities to rural and regional
local bridges for transport, it is critical that we invest in their Australia. I recently joined Sharon Eriksson, acting health
repair and maintenance. We are pleased to annouce that service manager of Muswellbrook Hospital, to publicly
maintenance work has restarted on the Brig O’Johnston present the artist’s impressions for the $21.5 million
bridge at Clarence Town. The NSW Government is funding Muswellbrook Hospital stage two redevelopment.
this essential maintenace work on the historic bridge. Funded by the Restart NSW Resources for Regions
Program, stage two redevelopments will deliver a range of
Our Young Local Talent health service improvements, including:
A young artist and talented comedian from Singleton, · Larger treatment spaces and additional treatment
Ethan Andrews, has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship chairs for renal dialysis and chemotherapy
under a major NSW Government initiative to develop · Improved spaces for medical imaging and
emerging artistic talent in the Upper Hunter. pathology collection
· Refurbished outpatient areas
New TAFE Facility for Quirindi · Oral health facilities
The new Connected Learning Centre will provide our · An enhanced space for patients attending
students with access to a greater range of learning and Muswellbrook hospital for day surgery
course options. It will also provide hands-on training
to local businesses and a versatile space for community- · Improvements to the main entry, reception and
run events. The new campus remains at the heart of our admission areas
local region.Rural and Regional Road Spending in Upper
MURRURUNDI Hunter Since the 2011 State Election
$2.3m Pavement rebuilding
on the New England Highway, Since 2011, the Nationals have commenced or delivered $1 billion
3.8 to 6.4 kilometres west worth of projects for our local Upper Hunter electorate roads.
of Murrurundi
As a Member of the NSW Government, I am proud of what we
$1.987m Pavement rebuilding
on the New England Highway, have been able to achieve for the Upper Hunter as a Coalition
4-11 kilometres north Government, both before and now during my time as your
of Murrurundi
Quirindi local Member.
R
$995,000 Upgrade the
KI
existing northbound rest M OO
area on the New England Willow
Highway, Murrurundi Tree
QUIPOLLY DAM Murrurundi
MUSWELLBROOK
$120,000 stage two
PA
NNING R
R
development of the Quipolly
GE
MA
ER
Dam Recreation Area to $68m Muswellbrook Bypass
SR
NT
include construction of a jetty, $3.964m Pavement upgrade
walkway, car/trailer parking
U
H RR on New England Highway at
and new picnic tables and
ESTE Black Hill east of Muswellbrook
seating at the site C
Scone OU $2.44m Pavement rebuilding
SCONE
GL on Denman Road, 7.6 to
Merriwa Gloucester
11 kilometres south of
$55m Scone bypass
Aberdeen Muswellbrook
KA
W $400,000 Install right turn
PATERSON
R
$3.946m Pavement rebuilding
Muswellbrook ILL
UA
IA phase in the traffic lights at
on the Golden Highway, west
H
M the intersection of the New
of Merriwa S
URN R
R
$8.8m Repair and repainting England Highway and Sydney
ULB Denman
R
PA
$1.5m Pavement rebuilding GO of the Gostwyck Bridge over in Muswellbrook
Dungog
TE
on New England Highway, 0.6 the Paterson River at Paterson
to 4.1 kilometres south Stroud $350,000 Install median
RSO
HUNTE
CLARENCE TOWN
of Scone RR safety barrier in existing
overtaking lane on the New
NR
$1.42m Pavement upgrade
Singleton Clarence
RELFS ROAD
England Highway south of
on the Golden Highway from $87,500 Design and
Elderslie Paterson Town Hebden Road, Muswellbrook
21.9 to 26.4 kilometre west construction of a jetty and
(Federal funded)
of Merriwa steps to an amenities block $23,350 Stage two in the
GLENBAWN DAM
$725,000 Pavement widening in the Bridge Reserve Boat construction of a new kayak
on Golden Highway, 14 Ramp Facility Upgrade at launch/retrieval facility at
kilometres west of Merriwa Clarence Town Relfs Road
$700,000 Replacement of
$65,000 Design and
LANDER
Broads Crossing Bridge on
construction of a Canoe/Kayak Glenbawn Dam Road, near
access and associated path
CROSSING
Glenbawn Dam (special grant
MERRIWA SINGLETON RIXS CREEK RAVENSWORTH WHITTINGHAM
works in Bridge Reserve at to Upper Hunter Shire Council)
Clarence Town
PARKVILLE AND
$4,896 Construction of an
$3.946m pavement rebuilding $93m Singleton bypass $2.2m Upgrade of the existing $750,000 Installation of $2m Safety works on the $53,320 192 upgrades to all-weather access/hardstand
signs during 2015-16
BLANDFORD
on the Golden Highway west southbound rest area on the median safety barrier on the New England Highway, two to the Barrington River at
$20m Gowrie Gates Lander Crossing
of Merriwa in Singleton New England Highway near New England Highway from kilometres north of the Golden $18,000 Study to identify
Rixs Lane Hebden Road to 15 kilometres Highway, Whittingham (Road the existing boating facilities
GLOUCESTER
$1.42m pavement upgrade $196,000 Installation of $3.95m Pavement rebuilding
on the Golden Highway from $900,000 Rebuilding the New north of Ravensworth Toll Response Package) and recommendations for
traffic lights on the New improvement of these facilities on the New England Highway
DENMAN
21.9 to 26.4 kilometre west England Highway between England Highway at Rixs Creek $600,000 Install safety barrier $22,000 Upgrade to the at various locations between
of Merriwa on the New England Highway, in Clarence Town on the
CAMBERWELL
Dalton Avenue and Howe Williams River access road, car park and Parkville and Blandford
one kilometre north of Hebden
MANGOOLA
$725,000 pavement widening Street, Singleton $3m Pavement rebuilding water access pathway at the
on Golden Highway, 14 Road in Ravensworth $10, 335 13 upgraded Aids to Gloucester District Park kyak
OLD BOWMAN $1.35m Pavement rebuilding on Golden Highway east
Navigation in 2016
HOWES VALLEY
kilometres west of Merriwa of Denman launch area
on the New England Highway $862,000 Install safety boom
SANDY HOLLOW FARM ROAD at Camberwell
$600,000 Install safety barrier $500,000 Safety
$2.5m Pavement rebuilding
on the Golden Highway, 9.7
gates at rail level crossing in
Mangoola Road, Mangoola
NEW ENGLAND HIGHWAY
improvements on Putty Road at to 10.6 kilometres east of
ABERDEEN
$2.3m Barrier upgrade of $16,750 Upgrade of the on the New England Highway
Sandy Hollow Bridge over access road to the kayak near Camberwell Howes Valley Denman – Muswellbrook Road
PUTTY ROAD
Goulburn River launching site on the $300,000 Install roadside
$9.179m Pavement resurfacing on the New England Highway
BULGA
Barrington River at Old guardrail southbound, and $29m Replacement of the
$1.95m Upgrade the existing at various locations Fitzgerald Bridge over the
rest area at Sandy Hollow, 15 Bowman Farm Road widen shoulders on the Putty
$285,000 Pavement
GOLDEN HIGHWAY
Road, one kilometre south Hunter River at Aberdeen
kilometres west of Denman on $1.3m Repair of the Bulga resurfacing on the Putty Road
the Golden Highway Bridge over Wollombi Brook of Old Convict Road, in $1.25m Pavement rebuilding
at various locations
on the Putty Road at Bulga Howes Valley $6.576m Pavement resurfacing on the Golden Highway at on New England Highway
various locations south of AberdeenAccessing Cancer Council
NSW Services in the
Upper Hunter Electorate
I am a great supporter of our local Cancer Council Offices
and the great work they do throughout our electorate.
I strongly believe that when a member of our family or
community is diagnosed with an advanced or terminal
illness, they deserve the best possible palliative care our
community can offer.
Are you living with an advanced or terminal cancer?
Do you have a loved one who has experienced advanced
or terminal cancer, or accessed palliative care, in the last
five years?
If so, please call Cancer Council NSW on 13 11 20 from
9am - 5pm Monday to Friday (8am - 6pm on Thursdays)
during April. All calls are confidential and will be answered
by a qualified health professional.
If you are online, then you can email
info.hunter@nswcc.org.au,
or visit their Hunter Region Facebook Page
using @CCNSWHunter.
Upper Hunter Electorate
to Benefit from Record
$100 Million Boost to
Palliative Care
The frontline health staff of the Upper Hunter
electorate will be eligible for training in palliative care
following an investment of $100 million over four
years. The record funding package for palliative care
services is a state Budget initiative.
This Budget measure means that our health staff can
upskill their training in palliative care, as well as pay
for additional specialist nurses and doctors to be
recruited. We want the community to have confidence
and choice in their end-of-life care and this step is a
huge help towards that outcome.
The announcement follows a series of nine palliative
care roundtables held across NSW in recent weeks,
during which healthcare workers, service providers,
family members of people who experienced palliative
care and health administrators discussed ways to
improve the delivery of end-of-life care.
I have listened to the views of communities within our
electorate. We know that the need is to expand our
palliative care resources and choices at a local level.
We are asking nurses and other allied health staff to
apply for scholarships and for training. This is a win for
the professional development of our local healthcare
workers and for our communities.
The 2017-18 NSW Budget includes palliative care
training for 300 nurses and allied health staff, 300
scholarships for rural and regional staff to upgrade
their palliative care skills, an additional eight palliative
care specialists for rural and regional areas and an
additional 30 palliative care nurses providing
care in hospitals, homes and nursing homes.You can also read
