Budget 2017: $50 million Appin Rd upgrade to start next financial year
AT “long last” the much-needed Appin Rd upgrades are expected to start next financial year following a $50 million commitment in Tuesday’s Federal Budget.
Macarthur
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AT “long last” the much-needed Appin Rd upgrades are expected to start next financial year following a $50 million commitment in the latest Federal Budget.
Macarthur Federal Labor MP Mike Freelander said he welcomed the funding promise 100 per cent and he was heartened to hear the works would start “at long last”.
In a statement, Hume Federal Liberal MP Angus Taylor said the Appin Rd upgrade was part of more than $1 billion in major infrastructure projects for the Macarthur area which were announced in the budget
He also singled out commitments including $1.2 billion for Northern Rd, $53 million for Narellan Rd and $8.3 million to Camden Valley Way/Argyle St upgrades in Camden.
Mr Taylor said the budget was committing infrastructure funding to ensure benefits for generations to come.
“I know many people working in the construction sector and supporting businesses will welcome such strong federal investment in our community infrastructure,” he said.
“The budget is delivering new growth opportunities for Hume to support our regional economies.”
He said more than $1.8 million in federal black spot funding would also be directed towards three sections of road in Wollondilly, in Montpelier Drive, The Oaks, and Remembrance Drive, at Razorback.
However Dr Freelander said he was concerned the budget decision to increase the Medicare levy from 0.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent in two years would hurt the people of the Macarthur area.
Dr Freelander said a new tax to be imposed on the nation’s four big banks would be passed onto consumers.
“Most of our super funds are invested in the banks so there will be reduced returns,’’ he said of the 0.06 annual levy, which is due to start on July 1.
Dr Freelander said the levy, which was announced in Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison’s budget speech last night, was a double edged sword.
“I support that we have to do something about bank accountability and their charges but not this,’’ he said.
He also feared the levy would be passed on to bank consumers including mortgage holders in the form of higher fees, charges and increased interest rates.
Dr Freelander said he was concerned the federal funding to ensure the Western Sydney Airport, at Badgerys Creek, was operational by 2026 lacked funding for rail services to the airport.
In a statement, Werriwa Federal Labor MP Anne Stanley said the budget was disappointing for the people of south west Sydney.
“The measures announced in the 2017 budget are long on talk but short on practical support for struggling residents in south western Sydney,” she said.
“This budget pretends to be fair, but hits just as hard as previous budgets and continues to give the big end of town an easy ride; while handing down tax cuts of $16,400 for high income earners, penalty rate cuts starting on 2 July will also see workers in Werriwa lose $77 on average at the weekend.
“Despite a commitment to build the airport, this budget contains no funding for any supporting infrastructure, like a rail link, meaning residents in the South West will only suffer worsening congestion when the airport construction gets underway next year.”
Dr Freelander said he was also concerned about welfare changes including the withdrawal of benefits for people with addictions was short sighted, poorly thought out and a populist decision.
He said this change would hurt the most disadvantaged as there would be less rehabilitation options for people and more would become homeless.
He said drug testing of welfare recipients, including those on Newstart and the Youth Allowance, was discriminatory.
“If they do that are they going to drug test all public servants, including politicians?’’ he said.
“This (drug testing) is a bad move to single out the most disadvantaged in the community.’’
Dr Freelander welcomed a new measure for small businesses, which would continue the $20,000 instant asset right off over 12 months.
“This will enable businesses to invest if they need to improve their business,’’ he said.
Dr Freelander said the budget’s housing affordability package was terrible, referring to a plan to allow first-home buyers to be able to use their voluntary superannuation contributions to build savings for a home deposit.
“I wish that the government would adopt (Federal Labor Treasury spokesman) Chris Bowen’s call for changes to negative gearing and capital gains.
“Investors have a huge advantage over first-home buyers and until that changes to help first-home buyers there will be no change in housing affordability.’’
Dr Freelander said he was also concerned that the planned increase to HECS charges would disadvantage many students including post graduate students in the Macarthur region.
The changes include lowering the minimum income to start repaying the HECS debt to $42,000.
He said some people studying post graduate degrees faced $100,000 in HECS charges and this could deter some women, who take time off to start a family, to decide to return to the workforce.
“University education is an investment in the community,’’ he said.
Mr Taylor said schools in the Hume electorate would also benefit from the new $18.6 billion needs-based schools funding plan, with no schools in Hume to suffer a reduction in Commonwealth funding.
The 79 schools in the Hume electorate would receive $104 million in 2018, an average of $4437 per student, he said.
“Our reforms will set the electorate’s schools up for the future and deliver fair, needs-based funding for all students,” he said.
LITANY OF TRAGEDY ON APPIN ROAD
Dec 14, 2015: Drivers trapped in four-car crash near Copperfield Drive
Nov 27, 2015: Two male drivers in their 20s trapped and seriously injured in two-car crash
Jan 10, 2015: 27-year-old Sydney man dies at scene of crash between a ute and lorry near West Cliff Colliery
Sept 17, 2014: Woman killed in a two-car crash near Campbelltown 4km south of Kellerman Drive. PIC
June 10, 2014: The 28-year-old Hill Top resident Rene White killed after losing control of her car and collided with an oncoming vehicle.
Sept 29, 2013: Four injured in police crash with two vehicles at St Johns Road and Appin Road
May 4, 2012: Two seriously injured in five-car pileup, road closed off during medical airlift.
March 3, 2010: Toddler seriously injured in two-car crash
Dec 12, 2009: a minibus carrying 19 people, left Appin Road and overturned in bushland in single-vehicle crash
April 16, 2007: Fatal crash 4km east of Colliery
August 16. 2004: Two people killed following a single car crash on Appin Road, 5km west of Bulli Tops
Feb 2, 2003: Driver killed after car crashes into a tree during a police pursuit
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