INVESTMENT: Ron Finemore with NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell at the opening of the $9m Ron Finemore Transport centre.
IT was great to welcome the Premier to Orange for his second visit since the state election campaign.
It was a significant occasion which underlined how important an investment such as the new Ron Finemore Transport centre is to regional cities such as Orange.
The new facility cost $9 million and brings with it 120 jobs. Other country towns and cities only dream of investments like that.
As the Premier said during his speech, he loves getting out to regional areas, and would have come to Orange for a lot less than $9 million!
The opening of the new Ron Finemore Transport centre further diversifies the economic base of Orange and also highlights the drive, energy and optimism of our city.
Entrepreneurs such as Ron are crucial to delivering growth and prosperity to our economy.
I would like to thank and congratulate Ron Finemore, not only for his huge investment in Orange, but also for organising such an outstanding opening.
Livestock transport reform
MORE than 30 years of frustration about antiquated livestock loading regulations in NSW has ended after the announcement on Tuesday by Minister for Roads Duncan Gay that this industry is finally going to fall in line with neighbouring states.
Industry participants have been calling for change since the days of the Wran government.
The initiative announced on Tuesday means that B-double livestock trucks will be able to increase their loads of cattle, for example, from a maximum of 60 head to 72 head.
This new policy will result in a reduction in semi-trailer movements in NSW and save about $8 a head in cattle transport costs.
Under this new scheme NSW carriers will now be on a level playing field with their interstate competitors, which will reduce costs for NSW farmers, livestock carriers, abattoirs, feedlots and saleyards.
Minister Gay has taken out the chainsaw and hacked through years of red tape. Long may he keep the blade sharp.
Safer rail crossing
WHILE in the electorate on Tuesday Duncan Gay visited Manildra to inspect the Boree Street railway crossing which has been approved for the installation of flashing lights and boom gates.
While at Manildra Mr Gay was able to observe the level of traffic that use this crossing.
This is an infrastructure upgrade that the NSW government is fast-tracking across the state to improve safety.
The $1.2 million project will bring extra jobs to Manildra during the construction period, which should result in economic benefits for local small businesses.