Residents of Central West NSW are invited to join Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW for a free, face-to-face support at the Bring your Bills & Community Expo.
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This expo is a great opportunity to speak to specialist staff and resolve outstanding issues all under the one roof.
Bring your energy bills, outstanding fines, legal issues, discuss disability, pension and benefit problems and more.
You can even have your hearing tested and grab a coffee.
It's on Thursday, November 14 at 9am to 3pm at the CWA Hall, Robertson Park.
GOVERNMENT FALLS SHORT
As many are aware, the NSW Liberal National Government is well in arrears in its obligated payments to rural and regional NSW infrastructure under the Government's RESART NSW initiative, to the tune of billions of taxpayer dollars.
This initiative contained clear legislative requirements that 30 per cent of this fund would be paid towards rural and regional NSW infrastructure projects, yet only 19.6 per cent has been directed to the bush since the fund was established by this Government.
In speeches to Parliament over the past two weeks I've called on the Government to immediately deliver the outstanding funds to rural and regional infrastructure projects as promised and legislated.
- Phil Donato.
Last week I addressed this issue by asking the Treasurer how he would be allocating these remaining funds, and offered specific suggestions.
The unspent millions can go towards various projects, including: the construction of the Regional Conservatorium and Planetarium in Orange; the Mount Canobolas Mountain Bike Trail; or a six-court squash centre at the Waratah Sports Club. His answer is due November 27.
In speeches to Parliament over the past two weeks I've called on the Government to immediately deliver the outstanding funds to rural and regional infrastructure projects as promised and legislated.
This funding would go a long way to boosting jobs, the local economy and community spirit in defiance of the perpetuating drought.
Taxing Times
In my last column I mentioned the Government's negligent treatment of taxi owners and the decimation of their industry brought about by point-to-point transport reforms.
After moving a 10,000 signature petition in NSW Parliament last month that was cut short due to the Transport Minister prioritising a plane trip, I issued a Private Members Statement in Parliament earlier this month to condemn the Government for their blatant disinterest in the economic losses and mental strain of these hard working small business owners.
I informed the Government it's time for them to accept responsibility and immediately offer a buy back for the amount of pre-reform plate value as compensation.
My party and I will not stop fighting until this is delivered.
Bathurst Bullet
Last August I asked Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole, what evidence he relied upon to support the decision he announced earlier this year to double Bathurst's Bullet passenger rail service, particularly considering it was only recently that media reported the existing Bullet service patronage had actually decreased.
Specifically, I asked if a business case and cost-benefit analysis was completed for the Bathurst Bullet 2.0 train service before he announced it.
The Minister replied recently, stating that Transport NSW "continuously reviews" service plans, which includes customer feedback.
In other words, despite a decreased patronage, Minister Toole did what he felt like without any comprehensive analysis on how best to spend taxpayer money.
Also, the Minister should note that customer feedback only relates to those who can utilise the existing service, not those who are in need of it.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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