Port Stephens MP Kate Washington has ramped up her state election campaign in the final two weeks by making major Labor funding commitments and reaffirming past pledges.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Between March 11 and 15, Ms Washington announced that Labor would spend $15.2 million on Tomaree Community Hospital upgrades, $600 million over two terms to complete the final three stages of the Nelson Bay Road duplication, $3 million on a new hall for Shoal Bay Public School as part of a suite of education commitments, $10 million to clean up PFAS-affected drains in Williamtown, Salt Ash and Fullerton Cove and $1.5 million on accessibility and beautification upgrades in Tanilba Bay.
All funds and commitments hinge on Labor being elected to government on March 23.
Labor MP Jihad Dib, the shadow minister for education, joined Ms Washington and Shoal Bay Public School P&C members on Wednesday, March 13 to outline Labor's plans for education.
In Shoal Bay, the Labor MPs announced the school would receive $3 million for a new hall to fit all 400 students in at the same time, and that it would benefit from a promise to fund all P&Cs across the state $5000 each year.
Michelle Edwards, Shoal Bay's P&C vice president, said the new hall had been a priority for the committee and would not just help the school but the entire community.
"It takes the fundraising burden off us and lets us focus on our other priorities," she said.
In Williamtown on March 14 Ms Washington and Penny Sharpe MLC, the shadow minister for environment, Paterson MP Meryl Swanson and the federal shadow minister for defence, Richard Marles, outlined Labor's plans to manage PFAS affected sites in Port Stephens and NSW.
To improve the management of PFAS contaminated sites across the state, Labor has pledge that if elected on March 23 it will: ban PFAS chemicals in NSW, conduct a select committee inquiry to inform the creation of a NSW PFAS Response Plan, appoint a NSW PFAS Response Coordinator to oversee all state agencies involved with PFAS contaminated sites and contribute $10 million towards a drain management plan for Williamtown, Salt Ash and Fullerton Cove, which would include work to remove contaminated soil from drains. If elected at the upcoming federal election, Labor would contribute a further $10 million to the drainage work.
Fullerton Cove resident and Coalition Against PFAS president Lindsay Clout said Labor's PFAS election policy was "huge".
"This is the first time we've had this kind of a commitment from our government," he said.
In Tanilba Bay on March 15, Ms Washington announced Labor would spend $1.5 million on town centre accessibility upgrades, street-scaping and beautification works.
Tanilba Bay missed out on the council's town centre rejuvenation plans, so I'm pleased to make this commitment to local residents to make sure they get their fair share as well," she said.
The past fortnight has also seen Ms Washington reaffirm her long-held commitment to having a public high school in Medowie built in Labor's first term of government (a $40 million project), initiating a buy back of the Mambo Wetlands, a review of the marine park, and making Salamander Bay Fire Station a 24/7 manned station.
Labor has also committed to matching the Liberal Party's $1.1 million funding commitment to building a new station for Karuah Rural Fire Brigade.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
