Liberal Party promised millions of dollars for projects in Banks
Liberal MP David Coleman has again triumphed in the federal seat of Banks with an increased majority but we want to remind him of his election promises.
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Banks was a marginal seat for the Coalition but Minister for Immigration David Coleman has been returned for a third term with a 7 per cent first preference swing, tipping it over into safe Liberal seat status.
Mr Coleman won 56.27 per cent of the two-candidate preferred vote, a lead of 11,480 votes over Labor rival Chris Gambian and a 4.83 per cent TCP swing against the ALP. The Liberal Party previously had a 1.4 per cent margin.
Now the dust has settled it’s a good time for the Canterbury Bankstown Express to examine the millions of dollars worth of promises Mr Coleman made to the voters of Banks and hold him to account when the next federal election rolls around.
Mr Coleman promised that if re-elected the Coalition would spend $1 million towards the restoration of Georges River with funding to be drawn from the new $100 million Environment Restoration Fund.
“This project will improve the health of River through litter traps, revegetation and weed control as well as allow for the rehabilitation of key sites,” Mr Coleman said.
“We will work with groups like the Georges Riverkeeper Committee, Greater Sydney Local Land Services and NSW Parks and Wildlife to deliver this funding.”
Mr Coleman also pledged $1.3 million for a new synthetic football pitch for the Bankstown District Amateur Football Association (BDAFA) at Stuart St, Padstow, home of the Padstow Hornets. It would be the first artificial pitch of its kind in southern Bankstown. The current closest field is at Regents Park.
BDAFA was also promised $250,000 to upgrade lighting at Marco Reserve in Panania, which is used by St Christopher’s Football Club.
Another $400,000 was promised to upgrade Bankstown Sports AFL Club change rooms and to install an electronic scoreboard at Kelso Park, Panania.
Mr Coleman promised $12,000 towards the installation of CCTV cameras at Chivers Hill shops in Lugarno.
During the election campaign, The Express also asked Mr Coleman
Where do you stand on the following issues. His responses are as follows:
1. Development in Banks, including plans for more high rise and Greater Sydney Commission’s housing target of 13,250 dwellings in Canterbury Bankstown
“Any development should be in keeping with the character of our area. The radical proposals of Canterbury Bankstown Council to add thousands of apartments across Padstow, Revesby, Panania and East Hills was completely inappropriate for our area. I fought against these proposals for a number of years and welcomed their withdrawal in 2018. Any future proposals must be sensible and appropriate for our area.”
2. The Georges River, its management and health
“I’m proud of the numerous projects we’ve completed to support the river and its surroundings, including at Salt Pan Creek in Padstow and the new board walk at Lambeth Reserve in Picnic Point. We have also secured a further $1 million for additional projects along the river including the completion of the work to clean up Yeramba Lagoon in Picnic Point.”
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3. Funding for Padstow TAFE
“Padstow TAFE is an important part of our community. While the states and territories run TAFEs, the Morrison Government is providing significant funding for students, employers and apprentices. This includes more than $525 million in the Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow Package. Key measures of the package include establishing a National Skills Commission to drive long-term reform in the VET sector, and establishing a National Careers Institute and Ambassador to raise the profile of the VET sector and improve education and career information. When Labor was last in Government, their failed VET FEE-HELP scheme left thousands of students with debts and no qualifications, while causing significant reputational damage to the sector. And between 2011 and 2013, they cut employer incentives to businesses that employ apprentices by $1.2 billion.”
4. Road congestion, particularly along the A6 from Alfords Point Rd, and Davies Rd, Padstow
“Road congestion is a big issue in our community and that is why we have committed substantial funds to many road projects including $1.5 billion toward the duplication of the M5 East. In addition we’ve committed $50 million to upgrading King Georges Road. I will continue to advocate for the upgrading of local roads.”
Banks includes Allawah, Carlton (part), Connells Point, East Hills, Lugarno, Mortdale, Oatley, Panania, Padstow, Padstow Heights, Hurstville Grove, Picnic Point, Revesby, Riverwood and South Hurstville.
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