Congratulations Karen and The Big Three Trek Team

Congratulations to local legend Karen Maddison and The Big Three Trek team on completing their 150km journey from McDonald Jones Stadium to the SCG. The team made the trek to raise much needed funds for the McGrath Foundation Breast Care nurses. Karen is a breast cancer survivor and a strong advocate for the cause. It has been my pleasure to support her efforts by co-hosting a cake stall with her over the past couple of years. That is why I am also proud to be part of the Minn's Labor team that will commit $19.5 million over three years to fund an additional 29 McGrath Breast Care nurses across the state if elected. This would see an additional 6 nurses for the Hunter New England Local Health District and 3 for the Central Coast Local Health District. The extra nurses will play a critical role in supporting thousands of Australians diagnosed with the illness annually.

Pacific Highway and Chain Valley Bay Road Intersection

Many Chain Valley Bay residents have discussed with me their concerns about congestion at the Pacific Highway and Chain Valley Bay Road intersection. I raised their concerns with Transport for NSW, which has since informed me that it is working on a solution to address safety at the intersection. Transport for NSW is currently developing a preferred option to upgrade the intersection and plan to consult the community early this year with the preferred option. I was happy to advocate for the community to have this issue addressed and I will provide further information as it comes to hand.

Swansea Benefits From 2022 Coast and Estuary Grant Program

I was pleased to hear that Lake Macquarie City Council was allocated $373,309 from the 2022 Coast and Estuary Grant Program to complete works to mitigate erosion and other environmental issues at Salts Bay, Village Bay and Belmont Bay. Erosion is an extensive issue across the Swansea electorate, including at Reids Reserve and Pelican Foreshore, which has recently undergone rectification works.

That is why I encouraged Council to apply for the grant and have been an advocate for the works to take place. It is great to see Council are concerned about erosion in our community and taking action to address it.

Wallarah RFS Fire Boat

On Saturday, I had the privilege of catching up with Wallarah RFS Brigade Captain Matt and the crew to check out their fire boat. The team informed me that they have recently taken ownership of the boat and use it to keep the community safe from boat fires and other hazards when on the water. This new addition to Wallarah RFS shows how extensive the Brigade's role is within our community. Keep up the great work team.

Labor's Housing Policy Announced

Labor has announced the housing policy it would introduce if it wins government following the March election. The policy includes:

• Abolish the NSW Government’s plan to place a forever land tax on 80 per cent of homes across the state
• Remove or reduce stamp duty for 95 per cent of first home buyers over the next three years
• Charge the Greater Cities Commission to review and rebalance population and housing growth by setting new housing targets matched to infrastructure, especially around Metro lines
• Introduce a mandatory requirement for 30 per cent of all homes built on surplus government land to be set aside for social, affordable and universal housing

This policy will benefit many people right across NSW who are at their wit's end with the housing crisis. I am proud to be part of the Labor team that is taking the urgent action needed to address the crisis.

Labor's Demerit Point Incentive

NSW Labor has announced that if elected it will introduce demerit incentives during a twelve month trial to reward safe driving. Drivers who remain infringement-free during the trial period will be rewarded with the removal of a demerit point. The proposal is a way to give something back to NSW drivers after the Liberal Government removed speed camera warning signs, resulting in more than 621,000 people being fined $81.6 million for low rang speeding offences since the changes were made in November 2020. The removal of warning signs by the Government saw revenue jump from $4 million in 2020 to $41 million in 2021 and $40 million in 2022 for low range speeding offences.  There is no doubt that Labor's plan makes sense. It’s time we put safety back at the centre of our road rules, not revenue raising.

Lake Macquarie Seniors Concert

The Lake Mac Seniors Concert will return next month.

Concert details are as follows:

• Rathmines Theatre - 10am, Wednesday February 1

Local Music in the Podium sensation Jumpin Jukebox Duo and the dulcet tones of Tom Jones act Broderick Jones will be performing. Bookings to the free concert are essential and can be made at the Lake Macquarie City Council website or by phoning 4921 0333.

Central Coast Seniors Festival

Central Coast Council is again celebrating the annual NSW Seniors Festival with a wide range of events and activities being held across the Coast from 1 February to 12 February 2023.The festival, which is the largest event for seniors in the southern hemisphere, aims to provide older residents an opportunity to come together, share a laugh and try something new. Pick up a copy of the full program of events from your local library, 50+ Leisure & Learning Centres and Seniors Centres or view at Council's website.

Fee-Free TAFE

Fee-free TAFE has been established to provide tuition-free training places for people wanting to train, retrain or upskill. TAFE NSW will provide more than 300 qualifications from certificates to diplomas that align to the state’s priority industry growth sectors, free of tuition fees for eligible students. Enrolments are now open for 2023 courses, including Certificate Three in Community Services at Belmont TAFE. For more information and to apply, visit the TAFE NSW website.

Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary

The Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary truly are a great help to hospital staff. Beginning 50 years ago with a trolley service to patients and staff, the Auxiliary now has a team of more than 30 volunteers who provide 3 services:

• Patient Care which does administration work for all the departments within the hospital. It also sells craft and personal items to assist our patients and visitors
• Meet & Greet work from the foyer and assist visitors navigate around our hospital
• Kiosk provides food and beverages to staff, visitors and patients

All services run 5 days per week. The Auxiliary are always looking for more volunteers to join their team. They work on a weekly or fortnightly roster (with the option to work full or half days). If you are keen to join this wonderful team call Fay Smith (President) on 0427 488 499 or Doris Lack (Vice President) on 0405 059 747.

Savings for Pensioners 

The rise in the cost of living has been hitting many people hard, especially pensioners. Here are 10 ways for NSW pensioners to save:

1. Council rate rebates: Pensioners are entitled to up to $250 a year off their council rates. For more information visit the Lake Macquarie City Council and Central Coast Council websites. 
2. Electricity rebate: The Low Income Household Rebate will shave up to $285 a year off your electricity bill for households with a retail provider.
3. Gas rebate: This rebate will give you a discount of up to $110 a year.
4. Water rates: Eligible pensioners can access a quarterly rebate, shaving hundreds of dollars a year off a typical household bill.
5. Regional seniors travel card: The regional seniors travel card provides eligible seniors living in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW with a $250 prepaid card to help ease the cost of travel. 
6. Revenue NSW Unclaimed Money: Find “lost” money waiting to be claimed from inactive bank accounts, shares and investments, insurance policies, unpaid wages, unclaimed super and deceased estates.
7. Travel vouchers: Pensioners are entitled to four Pensioner Travel Vouchers each calendar year. They can be used for two return or four single trips, giving access to free or discounted travel in economy class on NSW TrainLink Regional services within regional NSW.
8. Free car rego: Pensioners in NSW don’t pay registration fees or motor vehicle tax on one of their cars. They also receive free driver’s licences, free driving tests and concessions on the cost of Mobility Parking Scheme permits.
9. Free glasses: You can get yourself one pair of single vision glasses or one pair of bifocal glasses in a two-year period under the NSW Spectacles Program.
10. Seniors Card: The NSW Seniors Card is packed with discounts for thousands of retailers and services across the state from groceries to tradespeople and insurance.

I encourage all seniors to apply for these savings if they haven't already.