APRIL 2017Upper Hunter Electorate Newsletter

Dear Friends,Welcome to our April newsletter. Since our last newsletter, things have changed. We have a new Premier and changes to the government’s ministerial representation. It is a team that represents renewal and vigour in delivering for NSW. Throughout 2017, I will continue to fight for better services, infrastructure and funding opportunities not only from government, bringing investment into the Upper Hunter by industry is critical to our jobs, building a stable economy and providing opportunity for our families and small business in our region. I look forward to hearing from you about what you believe government can do to help you and our community.

Kind regards,Michael Johnsen MPMEMBER FOR UPPER HUNTER

Resources for Regions: $6 billion under Rebuilding NSW for Regional NSW infrastructure

Mining and mining related industries in our Upper Hunter Electorate contribute great economic value to NSW and it’s economy, so it is therefore appropriate that our communities continue to benefit from investment which will drive the next generation of growth for Regional NSW, and I as a Government member, will continue to fight for our fair share of that investment.

The 2016-17 Budget provided for a record capital spend of $73.3 billion in the four years to 2019-20.

This is led by the Government’s $20 billion Rebuilding NSW plan, funded by the Restart NSW Fund – the proceeds from the lease of State electricity assets and other asset recycling initiatives.

Restart NSW Fund deposits had reached $23.1 billion as of the 2016-17 half-year review.

As secured by the NSW Nationals, Regional NSW will receive 30 per cent of this funding for regional infrastructure investment.

Resources for Regions funding – Upper Hunter:

9 Herbert Street Bridge Replacement, Singleton Council $1.9m

9 Bridgeman Road: New England Highway Intersection upgrade, Singleton Council, $2.0m

9 Pioneer Road Extension: Hunter view, Singleton Council, $2.0m

9 Muswellbrook Hospital: Emergency Department Upgrade, HNE Local Health District, $4.0m

9 Muswellbrook - Roads Safety & Improvements, Muswellbrook Shire Council, $7.6m

9 Singleton CBD Renewal, Singleton Council, $9.0m 9 Upper Hunter Tertiary Education Centre, Muswellbrook Shire Council, $4.0m

9 Ryan Avenue Upgrade, Singleton Council, $2.9m 9 Denman Intersection Upgrade, Muswellbrook Shire Council, $3.5m

9 Mine affected Roads Package, Muswellbrook Shire Council, $7.2m

9 Singleton Regional Livestock Market Upgrade, Singleton Council, $6.0m

9 Mine Affected Roads Rehabilitation and Safety Package, Muswellbrook Shire Council, $4.2m

9 Hermitage and Broke Road Upgrade Project, Cessnock and Singleton Councils, $16.7m

9 Muswellbrook Hospital Redevelopment Stage 2, HNE Local Health District, $20.0m

9 Muswellbrook Rail Noise Abatement, Muswellbrook Shire Council, $2.0m

9 Upper Hunter Innovation Precinct Stage 2, Muswellbrook Shire Council, $1.5m

9 Singleton Town Centre Stage 2, Singleton Council, $3.5m

Further to the Resources for Regions, there is also significant investment in transport, in connectivity, in services and in jobs.

Resources for Regions program – $233m for Resources for Regions, 42 funded projects, with $89.3m invested in the Muswellbrook Shire and Singleton Councils.

9 Fixing Country Roads Program –$50m committed through Round 1 of the $500m Rebuilding NSW program.

9 Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund – over $100m invested, including 27 regional airport upgrades.

9 Our Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund – $50m across 8 projects.

This is on top of the annual budgets for health, roads, education, which have delivered projects like the Hunter Expressway.

The Nationals in Government, have already secured the deal that will provide record levels of infrastructure and investment in Regional NSW.

The projects already completed and announced are just the beginning of the record infrastructure roll-out that the Nationals in Coalition are delivering for Regional NSW.

Since 2012, over $200 million has been allocated to mining related communities throughout the State and the NSW Government will continue to support economic growth and productivity in the regions.

This is good news for our local communities, however I will continue calling for the Upper Hunter Electorate to receive a proportionate share of the Resources for Regions program for Upper Hunter, relative to the total economic value that mining in our Electorate brings to New South Wales and it’s economy, just as I have done since being elected.

Two new trucks to hit the road in the Upper Hunter

Mobile Offices for 2017My job, when I am out and about in the Electorate, is all about listening, and when I’m in Parliament, my job is all about speaking up on behalf of our community, and making sure your concerns are heard. To better achieve that, I hold mobile offices across the seat of Upper Hunter.

This year already, I have held 9 mobile offices across our Upper Hunter Electorate, and I would like to thank everyone who came to talk to me during these consultations, and to discuss those matters that are a State Government conern.

I aim to get to the mobile offices locations once every quarter, so if you wish to know when and where they are being held next, or to register your interest, please contact my office on upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au.

Late last year, I was proud to announce that fire protection and emergency response in the Upper Hunter have received a major boost with the arrival of two new fire trucks in the region.

Two new Mercedes Benz fire trucks, referred to as Class 2’ pumpers, are now in operation after being delivered to Scone Fire Station and Muswellbrook Fire Station.

The new ‘Class 2’ fire trucks had the latest equipment and technology, which will increase the capacity of Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters to deal with fires, accidents, chemical spills and other emergencies.

The Nationals in Government are committed to providing our local firefighters with the best equipment and technology available.

The state-of-the art Mercedes Benz trucks have a larger cabin than previous trucks, providing greater comfort and safety for firefighters. The rear of the trucks have also been remounted and modified to provide more room for equipment.

Mr Johnsen continued, saying FRNSW continued to provide our Upper Hunter Electorate firefighters with modern and safe vehicles for their vital work in protecting NSW families.

The FRNSW fleet is made up of more than 650 fire engines and rescue vehicles across NSW and the NSW Government’s priority is to ensure that firefighters in Electorate such as Upper Hunter, have the best vehicles available to them to enable to the do their jobs effectively and safely.

Muswellbrook and Scone fire and rescue crews do a tremendous job protecting the community, and the new trucks will help firefighters better protect the Upper Hunter Electorate, and will help improve the overall quality of our local emergency response in our communities.

In total in 2015/16, Muswellbrook and Scone firefighters responded to more than 330 fire and emergency calls and took part in approximately 100 activities designed to educate the local community about fire safety

Funding boost for sporting groups in Upper HunterSport is a huge part of our local way of life, and the Nationals in Government recognise how important it is to our Upper Hunter Electorate communities, for both social and health reasons.

I am proud to have secured $48,256 in NSW Government funding for 9 sporting clubs in Upper Hunter as part of the 2015/16 Local Sport Grant Program.

The main aim of this program is to increase regular and on-going participation opportunities in sport and active recreation in NSW.

Funding has been provided for a variety of needs including building upgrades, new equipment purchases and administrative needs for these clubs throughout the Upper Hunter Electorate.

I am committed to delivering the best infrastructure to the people of the Upper Hunter Electorate, and I look forward to seeing the benefits of this upgrade for our communities.

Quirindi Clay Shooting Local Sport Grant Recipient

Michael Johnsen with Muswellbrook Junior Touch Local Sport Grant Recipient

Michael Johnsen with Scone Gymnastics Local Sport Grant Recipient

The groups and funding for the Upper Hunter Electorate sporting clubs includes the following:

Aberdeen Senior and Little Athletics Centre Inc $12,000.00Muswellbrook Little Athletics Centre Inc $3,500.00

Merriwa Swimming Club Inc $4,577.00Singleton Amateur Swimming Club Inc $5,000.00

Muswellbrook Ladies Mixed & Junior Touch Association $3,000.00Singleton Australian Football Club Inc $5,000.00

Quirindi Sporting Clay Target Club $9,756.00

Howe Park Tennis Club $2,400.00

Scone Gymnastics Club $3,023.00

Michael Johnsen with Singleton Swim Club Local Sport Grant Program Recipients 2017

Michael Johnsen with Howe Park Tennis Local Sport Grant Program Recipients 2017

Michael Johnsen with Singleton AFL Local Sport Grant Program Recipients 2017

PAGES R

GLOUCESTER R

MOOKI R

KARUAH R

MANNING R

PATERSON

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WILLIAMS RGOULBURN R

HUNTER

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HUNTER R

Elderslie

AberdeenGloucester

Dungog

Scone

Denman

Quirindi

WillowTree

Paterson

Stroud

ClarenceTown

Merriwa

Murrurundi

Singleton

Muswellbrook

Delivering for the Upper Hunter

$10,000 | SINGLETON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE INC.

$8,000 | NORTHERN AGRICULTURE ASSOCIATION

$2,900 | SINGLETON MEN’S SHED ASSOCIATION INC.

$5,000 | CLARENCE TOWN TENNIS CLUB INC.

$6,578 | DUNGOG RSL SUB-BRANCH

$6,000 | THE GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION OF NEW SOUTH WALES

$5,920 | GRESFORD CRICKET CLUB INC.

$8,310 | DENMAN PONY CLUB

$20,000 | SANDY HOLLOW PROGRESS ASSOCIATION INC.

$6,678 | GLOUCESTER CROQUET CLUB INC.

$5,196 | GLOUCESTER RIFLE CLUB INC.

$6,600 | DUNGOG SHIRE COUNCIL

$17,160 | KING OF THE RANGES STOCKMAN’S CHALLENGE INC.

$7,702 | COUNTRY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF NSW $2,916 | HUNTER VALLEY

CUTTING HORSE CLUB

$15,500 | UPPER HUNTER SHIRE COUNCIL

$20,000 | PARKVILLE TENNIS SOCIAL CLUB INC.

$5,514 | QUIRINDI SPORTING CLAY

TARGET CLUB

$5,000 | DENMAN & DISTRICT MEN’S SHED INC

$25,000 | SINGLETON JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE

FOOTBALL CLUB

$10,000 | DUNGOG SHOWGROUND RECREATION & RESERVE COMMITTEE

9Singleton Neighbourhood Centre Inc.: $10,000 The OpenDoor@SNC

9Denman & District Men’s Shed Inc: $5,000 Healthy Woodworkers

9Singleton Men’s Shed Association Incorporated: $2,900 Singleton Men’s Shed - Shed Electrical

9Country Women’s Association of NSW: $7,702 External painting Scone CWA Rooms. Supply & install new fence.

9 •Parkville Tennis Social Club Inc.: $20,000 Children’s play equipment

9Dungog RSL Sub-Branch: $6,578 Preserve and display military service Memorabilia

9Gresford Cricket Club Incorporated: $5,920 Construction of Cricket Training Nets

9Hunter Valley Cutting Horse Club: $2,916 Purchase of Defibrillator, first aid equipment and training

9Northern Agriculture Association: $8,000 Floodlighting upgrade 2016

9Quirindi Sporting Clay Target Club: $5,514 Upgrade of Kitchen Facilities

9Singleton Junior Rugby League Football Club: $25,000 Installation of Lights Jnr. Rugby League Field of Cook Park

9Clarence Town Tennis Club Inc.: $5,000 Install Playground equipment and softfall at Clarence Town Tennis Club

9Upper Hunter Shire Council: $15,500 Gummun Place Outdoor Activity Multipurpose Facility

9The Girl Guides Association of New South Wales: $6,000 Illa Langi Campsite - Painting and Repairs

9King of the Ranges Stockman’s Challenge Inc.: $17,160 Replace aged timber spectator seating with shaded steel grandstands

9Dungog Shire Council: $6,600 Vacy School of Arts Air Conditioning Project

9Gloucester Croquet Club Inc.: $6,678 Improved Safety Works of Clubhouse and Court Upgrade

9Gloucester Rifle Club Inc.: $5,196 Refurbishment of Target Stop Butts and Equipment Storage shed

9Dungog Showground Recreation & Reserve Committee: $10,000 Dungog Showgound Abelard Street Gate Entrance

9Denman Pony Club: $8,310 Construction of 40 day stalls for Horses

9Sandy Hollow Progress Association Inc.: $20,000 Refurbishment to internal Hall & Guttering external

Community Building Partnerships 2017

Sign up for the newsletter atwww.michaeljohnsen.com.au

Phone 02 6543 1065 | Fax 02 6543 1416 Email upperhunter@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Address 20 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook NSW 2333

Authorised by Michael Johnsen MP Printed by Hunter Valley Printing, 90 Kelly St, Scone NSW 2337

Printed in December 2016 using parliamentary entitlements

Strong Leadership for NSW

NSW has seen fresh, new leadership with a new Premier and Deputy Premier within the last six months. I am delighted to say that both Gladys Berejiklian and John Barilaro are colleagues who I have always respected for their dedication and attention to policy detail.

I know both Gladys and John are working hard to build on the Liberals-Nationals government’s success over the past six years, and ensuring that electorates such as ours, Upper Hunter, share in the benefits of responsible government, and that we continue to plan for and deliver the vital infrastructure and services that our local communities need.

The Premier and Deputy Premier know that our local community want and deserve to be heard, and I will always make sure that the people of the Upper Hunter Electorate have their voices heard.

We can all be proud of the fact that NSW now has the strongest economy and budget position in the nation. We are the only state in the country that has virtually no government debt with the capacity to invest billions in improved services and new infrastructure.

With Gladys and John at the helm, respect and hard work will continue to be the hallmarks of NSW and the Nationals in Government.

The Government focus will be on delivering in three key areas:

9 Local infrastructure: delivering the services and resources for roads, schools and hospitals the Upper Hunter community expects

9 Housing affordability: making sure owning a home is not out of reach

9 Strong economy: delivering more jobs and having the resources to meet the needs of our communities in the Upper Hunter Electorate.

Ours is a Government that will listen, support and act for every person across our great State – especially in rural and regional NSW.

I look forward to welcoming the new Premier and Deputy Premier to the Upper Hunter Electorate in the near future, and I will continue work hard and closely with the new leadership team to ensure that everybody in Upper Hunter gets their fair share.