ACHIEVEMENTS AS THE FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CALARE
AGRICULTURE
- $2 million for local projects under the Drought Communities Program in Bathurst
- $2 million for local projects under the Drought Communities Program in Blayney
- $2 million for local projects under the Drought Communities Program in Cabonne
- $2 million for local projects under the Drought Communities Program in Lithgow
- $2 million for local projects under the Drought Communities Program in the Mid Western Region
- $2 million for Local projects under the Drought Communities Program in Oberon
- $2 million for Local projects under the Drought Communities Program in Orange
- $2 million for Dubbo Regional Council through Drought Communities Program
COMMUNITY
- $1.2 million for CCTV security in Orange, Bathurst and Wellington
- $1,500,000 for development of the Mid Western Regional Gallery and Culture Precinct
- $1,300,000 for the Lithgow CBD revitalisation
- $954,250 for construction of the Bathurst Rail Museum
- $925,000 for a new state of the art Bathurst Animal Rehoming Centre
- $492,410 for the Eugowra Multi-Purpose Community Centre
- $380,000 for support the rebuild of Glenray Industries after it was destroyed by fire
- $250,000 for development of the Wellington Caves Megafauna experience
- $223,500 for Lithgow Blast Furnace Park upgrades
- $200,000 for improvements at Wellington's Kennard Park
- $181,818 for an upgrade to the Bathurst War Memorial Carillon
- $170,000 for new toilets and shower facilities at Molong Showground
- $165,000 for shade structures at the Cargo playground and Mullion Creek playground
- $152,500 for free WiFi for Bathurst CBD
- $150,000 for restoration of the old miner's cottage at the Gulgong Gold Miner's Experience at Red Hill
- $150,000 for CCTV infrastructure and upgrades in Wellington
- $119,000 for repairs and maintenance of Yeoval Museum, Gumble Hall, Baldry Hall, Borenore CWA Hall
- $90,909 for amenities block upgrades at Golden Memories Museum
- $90,000 for new amenities at the Golden Memories Museum at Millthorpe
- $84,000 for keeping migrant support workers employed at Bathurst’s Neighbourhood Centre for at least the next 12 months
- $75,000 for Stage 2 upgrade works including upgrade of kiosk, driveway, parking at Dean Park Cudal
- $70,000 for upgrades to BBQ facility, footpaths and tables in Millthorpe
- $60,000 for upgrades to Illford Hall
- $59,300 for the Neville Public Hall Reserve restoration project
- $50,000 for the Lithgow Village Voice to expand online presence
- $50,000 for construction of outdoor area at Wellington Library
- $46,454 for the Geurie Rodeo Committee – for Geurie Racecourse and Recreation Reserve Revitalisation Project Stage Two
- $44,075 for upgrades to Carcoar's School of Arts Community Hall Carcoar repairs and maintenance
- $34,099 for new ringside and park shelter seating at the Carcoar Pastoral Agricultural & Horticulture Society
- $30,695 for repairs and maintenance at Carcoar's School of Arts Community Hall
- $25,000 for upgrades of the Rural Transaction Centre at Eugowra
- $25,000 for CCTV cameras in Oberon CBD
- $21,788 for seven new display stands for Age of Fishes Museum
- $20,000 for Bathurst Regional Council ‘Ways of Seeing’ project
- $20,000 for remedial and restoration work of Molong Museum
- $20,000 for new signage at the Lions Club's Driver Reviver station
- $19,435 for upgrades to Stuart Town Public Hall
- $18,500 for the Oberon Outdoor festival
- $17,000 for purchase new tools and help fit out new shed at Blayney Men’s Shed
- $15,920 for the Wattle Flat recreation reserve
- $13,567 for the Burendong Arboretum to protect eucalyptus species
- $13,000 for Glenray Industries upgrades
- $13,000 for Oberon Military Museum exhibitions
- $12,647 for construction of a memorial and heritage wall at Black Springs
- $10,302 for training for volunteers and staff at the Mudgee and District VPPA
- $10,000 for a new food van and storage shed for Bathurst Macquarie Lions Club
- $10,000 for a new shade sail at the Trunkey Creek playground
- $10,000 for improvements along Richards Lane for walker safety and weed control
- $10,000 for upgrades at the Nashdale/Lidster Public Hall
- $10,000 for amenities upgrade to the camp draft pavilion at Cudal
- $10,000 for Portland’s Men’s Shed to restore Kremar Park Bath House
- $10,000 for new equipment at the Wellington PCYC
- $9,963 for new tools and an electrical upgrade for the Wallerawang Memorial Men’s Shed
- $9,500 for reimbursement of fuel and training costs for Wellington Multi-Purpose Service Centre
- $9,350 for new exhibition by the Bathurst RSL Sub Branch
- $9,248 for weed control equipment for the Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway Committee
- $9,000 for Gulgong Pioneers Museum
- $8,539 for an upgrade at Millthorpe’s Golden Memories Museum
- $8,500 for construction of a paint room at Wellington Men's Shed
- $8,000 for new entry signs at Stuart Town
- $7,600 for restoration of the village recreation ground at Tarana
- $7,500 for a storage shed and outdoor BBQ area at St Pat’s Football Club
- $7,500 for solar panels for the Karma Yiwong Samten Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre at Molong
- $7,500 for construction of Banjo Paterson in front of the Banjo Paterson Museum
- $7,217 for Tackling Tough Times Together grant for Age of Fishes Museum
- $7,000 for new amenities at Cudal & District Men's Shed
- $6,855 for new rec area at the Rylestone Kandos Men’s Shed
- $6,000 for upgrades to Gollan Public Hall
- $6,000 for a new tools and facility upgrades at Lithgow Men's Shed
- $6,000 for a Lithgow WW1 Commemorative Plaque Project (plaque with 768 additional names at Queen Elizabeth Park)
- $6,000 for new equipment for the Lithgow Men's Shed
- $5,689 for amenities upgrade at CWA Bathurst
- $5,150 for two reverse cycle air conditioners for Wellington Men’s Shed
- $5,000 for new picnic tables at Machattie Park
- $5,000 for a defib and facilities upgrade at the Bathurst Community Op Shop
- $5,000 for the creation of a wildlife habitat and revegetation works around Nashdale Lidster Public Hall
- $5,000 for the Lithgow City Band ‘1918 Back from the Brink’ production
- $5,000 for upgrades and first aid kit for Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum
- $5,000 for computer equipment for Mingaan Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation at Hartley
- $5,000 for signage and beautification of Spring Hill (via the Spring Hill Activities Group)
- $5,000 for new gates at Wellington Information and Neighbourhood Service (WINS)
- $5,000 for Wellington CWA Branch
- $4,970 for a refurb of the Wellington Arts Centre
- $4,900 for reimbursement of fuel and training costs for Wellington Town Band
- $4,750 for the 2018 Bathurst RSL Sub Branch Remembrance Day ceremony
- $4,750 for chair trolleys for Neville Public Hall Reserve and Land Management
- $4,750 for the Lithgow Information and Neighbourhood Centre to purchase iPads
- $4,550 for outdoor furniture and equipment at Barton Park Giant Trees Arboretum, Wallerawang
- $4,500 for upgrades to Geurie Lions Club's food van
- $4,470 for purchase of eskies, trestle tables and first aid kits for the Rockley P&C Association
- $4,320 for to support volunteers at the Lithgow Information and Neighbourhood Centre
- $4,300 for a photocopier for Stuart Town Advancement Association
- $4,186 for gazebos and a marquee for Neville Show Society
- $4,000 for construction of a memorial wall at the Spring Hill war memorial site
- $3,930 for new safety equipment for the 3rd Orange Scout Group
- $3,750 for Portland War Memorial (upgrade and add 104 names on the cenotaph)
- $3,481 for new carpet at Binjang Community Radio
- $3,423 for landscaping around Portland Rotunda in Saville Park
- $3,247 for Sofala Avenue of Honour commemorating First World War servicemen
- $3,200 for fuel vouchers for Bathurst Meals on Wheels volunteers
- $3,138 for a new toilet at the Eugowra Rural Transaction Centre
- $3,100 for Portland Men’s Shed to tour other sheds in the Central West
- $3,100 for marquees for Friends of the Burrendong Arboretum
- $3,000 for a Memorial garden at Canowindra Soldiers Memorial Hospital
- $3,000 for a concrete path at the Bodangora War Memorial
- $3,000 for a defibrillator for Mumbil District Progress Association
- $2,899 for new equipment for Age of Fishes Museum
- $2,899 for gardening equipment at the Age of Fishes Museum
- $2,896 for computer and printing equipment for Wallerawang/Lidsdale Progress Association
- $2,850 for equipment for Lyndhurst RSL's military memorabilia display at Carcoar School or Arts Hall.
- $2,800 for new tools and equipment for Geurie Lions Club
- $2,728 for a memorial garden at Mullion Creek Public School
- $2,728 for a new display cabinet at the Molong and District Servicemen and Servicewomen’s Portrait Gallery
- $2,675 for landscaping at the Tarana Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Shed
- $2,600 for the Bathurst and District Relay for Life committee
- $2,585 for a new saw for the Wallerawang Men's Shed
- $2,582 for new equipment for the Wallerawang Men's Shed
- $2,511 for office equipment for Gulgong Chamber of Commerce for the Mid Western Mail
- $2,500 for new tools and equipment for the Cudal and District Men’s Shed
- $2,500 for a new air conditioner and lighting upgrades at the Eugowra Historical Museum and Bushranger Centre
- $2,500 for air conditioning and kitchen equipment for Illford Hall
- $2,296 for a memorial garden at the Nashdale Community Hall
- $2,250 for a defibrillator for the Molong Men’s Shed
- $2,094 for reimbursement of training costs and kitchen appliances for Mid Macquarie Landcare
- $1,870 for new firefighting equipment for the Wattle Flat/Sofala RFS brigade
- $1,800 for new tables and chairs at Canowindra’s Age of Fishes Museum
- $1,800 for an electric piano for the Wellington Amateur Arts Centre
- $1,779 for equipment for the Rockley and District Community Association (a trolley, vacuum cleaner and heating)
- $1,500 for a smart phone for Bathurst Seymour Centre
- $1,500 for tools and equipment for School of Arts Community Hall in Carcoar
- $1,500 for fuel costs for Blayney Can Assist volunteers
- $1,500 for computer equipment for the Illford Running Stream CWA
- $1,273 for first aid kit and tables for Barry Progress Association
- $1,265 for equipment for Lyndhurst Soldiers Memorial Hall and Village Committee (ladder and chair trolley)
- $1,000 for kitchen appliances and outdoor furniture for the Bathurst Salvation Army
- $1,000 for new vacuum cleaner for Uralba at Carcoar
- $1,000 for audio equipment at the Inner Wheel Club of Lithgow
EDUCATION
- $60,000 for Elizabeth Chifley Preschool playground upgrade
- $18 million for a world class health research facility in Orange
- $1.5 million for an intergenerational child care facility at Wellington's Maranatha House
- $1,243,593 for new contemporary and flexible learning spaces at St Mary's Catholic School
- $650,000 for new hall at Orange Christian School
- $308,175 for an education and information centre at the Australian National Field Days site at Borenore
- $50,400 for bathroom upgrades at Manildra Preschool
- $30,000 for facilities upgrade at Carcoar School of Arts
- $18,900 for Wild Encounters' education program at Watershed Landcare
- $15,000 for new hydrotherapy spa at Anson Street School
- $12,000 for bike track and shed at Cumnock Public School
- $12,000 for Cumnock Public School: BMX Bike Trail and Billy Cart Track and Educational Road Safety Precinct
- $7,000 for Eglinton Public School: Playground equipment
- $7,000 for new seating around Norton Park sports oval at James Sheahan School
- $7,000 for Wellington Public School: Support class play area $7,000
- $6,000 for Wattle Flat Public School: new Shade Sail
- $6,000 for a new sensory learning area at Manildra
- $6,000 for Manildra Public School: Sandpit and sensory learning area
- $5,300 for a new roof and sprinkler system at Cumnock Village Preschool
- $5,000 for the Assumption Catholic Primary School: Refurbishment of Breakout Learning Space
- $5,000 for St Stanislaus College: Students, Entrepreneurs and Industry
- $5,000 for Holy Family Catholic Primary School: iPad Project
- $5,000 for Raglan Public School: Forest Garden
- $5,000 for new seating at Blayney High School
- $5,000 for a new library furniture at Canowindra Public School
- $5,000 for a new kitchen facilities and Eugowra Public School
- $5,000 for Clergate Public School: Upgrading Information and Communication Technology Equipment (ICT) for use by all students
- $5,000 for Mullion Creek Public School: STEAM Learning Space and Facilities
- $5,000 for Spring Hill Public School: Upgrading Information and Communication Technology Equipment (ICT) for use by all Students
- $5,000 for Canowindra Public School: Library furniture update
- $5,000 for Eugowra Public School: upgrades to the kitchen and dining facilities
- $5,000 for a shade structure over the St Mary's Catholic School ag plot
- $4,746 for Yeoval Central School: Western Access Program Stage 6 Curriculum Camp
- $4,500 for St Columba's Catholic Primary School, Yeoval: Football Posts
- $4,000 for an outdoor learning space for students with special need at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
- $4,000 for Carcoar Public School: Refurbished Learning Spaces
- $4,000 for Kandos High School's history project of recording veterans' stories
- $3,000 for Scots All Saints College: Sun Protection
- $3,000 for computer equipment for the Manildra Preschool Fundraising Committee
EMERGENCY SERVICES
- $704,000 for post bushfire tree removal on private property
- $150,000 for post bushfire storm water clean-up
- $50,000 for the Bushfire Recovery Centre
- $20,000 for bushfire recovery events
- $10,000 for safer sewer systems
- $16,000 for the clean-up destroyed Clarence council site
- $250,000 for Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience funding for Lithgow City Council
- $5,000 for facilities upgrade at the Illford Running Stream RFS headquarters
- $250,000 for Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience grant for Mid Western Regional Council
- $250,000 for Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience funding for Oberon Council
HEALTH
- An MRI license for Lithgow Hospital
- $5,000 for additional volunteers at Lifeline Central West
- $22 million for the CSU medical school
- $19 million for the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
- $70.7 million for the Mudgee Hospital redevelopment (as State MP)
- $15 million for a new Molong MPS (officially opened 2018)
- $14.7 million for Mission Australia's Benjamin Short Grove Aged Care facility
- $8.28 million for the Lithgow Aged Care expansion and 73 new residential aged care places
- $3 million for a second radiotherapy unit at Orange Health Service
- $2.5 million for an ambulance station in Molong (officially opened 2019)
- $1.24 million for the expansion of Three Tree Lodge and eight residential aged care places
- $1,118,979 for The Orchard crisis accommodation
- $1,060,000 for the headspace outreach service
- $124,000 for the Eugowra Medical Centre redevelopment
INFRASTRUCTURE
- $390,000 for the Rivulet Road Bridge replacement
- $10.9 million for the Manildra Solar Farm
- $8,000,000 for an investigation of fast rail from Syd Parkes
- $2,000,000 for a biomass fuelled boiler at MSM Milling
- $1,864,435 for the upgrade of Carcoar Street and parking at King George Oval, Blayney
- $308,220 for resurfacing Mudgee Airport's runways
- $240,000 for Pedestrian Mobility Access Plan projects across the Cabonne LGA
- $205,100 for the recycled water project and water infrastructure upgrade/tank at King George Oval Blayney
- $180,518 for the Newbridge Showground Pavillion Refurbishment
- $95,091 for power and water infrastructure upgrades at Cudal Showground
- $60,000 for irrigartion systems at Rylestone Showground
- $55,732 for upgrades of the toilets and kitchen at Millthorpe hall.
- $50,000 for a water filling station at Cargo
- $50,000 for a water filling station at Cudal
- $37,562 for the Bathurst Regional Council’s Industry Cluster Activation Program Strategic Plan Project
- $35,182 for Barry Bore Association: replacement of community infrastructure
- $34,262 for increases to water holding capacity at Wattle Flat public reservoir on travelling stock reserve
- $4,725 for wheelchair access at The Glen Museum, Portland
- $4,580 for upgrades, a rain water tank, tools and equipment to the Yeoval & District Men’s shed
- $4,000 for a new memorial wall, garden and flagpole in Newbridge
- $2,750 for a water and toilet facility upgrades at the Panuara Public Recreation Reserve
ROADS & TRANSPORT
- $1,500,000 for an upgrade of Gorman Hill's Road
- $64,000,000 for the upgrade of the Forty Bends on Great Western Highway
- $55,000,000 for the upgrade of the Great Western Highway through the Hartley Valley
- $29,800,000 for the long awaited Dixons Long Point crossing
- $9,170,000 for to complete the Southern Feeder Road project
- $4,875,310 for the upgrade of Campbells Creek Road near Black Springs
- $3,454,000 for road upgrades and new four lane bridge over the Orange to Dubbo railway line
- $2,500,000 for the Bathurst Airport upgrade
- $2,000,000 for the Forest Road Bridge duplication
- $1,525,932 for local road uprades across Mid Western LGA
- $1,500,000 for the Brown's Creek Road upgrade
- $1,420,000 for the upgrade of Clergate Road
- $1,370,000 for the replacement of the Gundy Creek Bridge
- $1,363,500 for roads upgrades including sealing Hartley Vale Road
- $1,293,770 for local road upgrades across Cabonne LGA
- $1,280,000 for Blayney Street Overbridge Replacement at Newbridge
- $1,248,559 for local road upgrades across the Bathurst LGA
- $1,100,000 for the upgrade of Glen Davis Road in the Capertee Valley
- $1,100,000 for the Ponto Falls Road upgrade
- $796,800 for local roads upgrade in Lithgow LGA
- $765,000 for an upgrade of Sofala Road at Peel and Wiagdon
- $745,000 for Browns Creek Road Bridge Replacement
- $720,809 for local road upgrade across Orange LGA
- $700,000 for Bangaroo Bridge Replacement
- $700,000 for the Burrendong No 2 Bridge Replacement
- $700,000 for the Terrabella Bridge Replacement
- $644,950 for St Germain’s Bridge Replacement
- $620,041 for the Gundy Creek Bridge replacement on Renshaw McGirr Way
- $584,514 for local road upgrade across Oberon LGA
- $581,860 for the replacement of Howards Bridge
- $537,301 for Newbridge Road upgrade
- $537,300 for local road upgrades across Blayney LGA
- $500,000 for a new taxiway, flood mitigation works and taxiway lighting at Bathurst Airport
- $460,000 for upgrades to The Escort Way near Eugowra
- $395,500 for new overtaking lanes on the Cargo Road
- $395,500 for new overtaking lanes on the Cargo Road
- $307,500 for the replacement of Goodiman Bridge near Goolma
- $307,500 for the replacement of Goodiman Bridge near Goolma
- $289,557 for reconstruction and sealing of Bathurst St, Perthville
- $201,000 for the Piper’s Flat Road and Range Road Intersection upgrades, Wallerawang
- $174,085 for reconstruction and widening of Houses Lan, Dunkeld
- $165,000 for Coombing Creek Bridge Replacement (also known as Felltimber)
- $136,591 for the Hen and Chicken Lane upgrade
- $75,000 for an upgrade of the dangerous Mitre/Lambert Street Intersection
- $70,500 for an upgrade of George Street (between Howick Street and Russell Street)
- $62,000 for an upgrade of Willow Drive from Ilumba Way at Kelso
ACHIEVEMENTS AS THE STATE MEMBER FOR ORANGE
HEALTH
- 24 hour rescue helicopter for the Central West - Under Labor, Wollongong was given a 24 hour rescue service despite being a 10 minute flight from Sydney. Few issues raised such universal passion across the region, campaigning both publicly and privately, working with the communities of the Central West, groups such as the CWA, local councils, medicos and fellow MPs (Troy Grant and Paul Toole), to present a petition of over 30,000 signatures to Parliament to make it happen. Not only was a 24 hour service delivered, but a new larger chopper is on the way. The service has already save dozens, if not hundreds, of lives across the Central West. It was one of the most significant achievements in my first term of office.
- Second radiotherapy machine at Orange Hospital - It was outrageous that people from Western NSW had to either travel to Sydney for radiotherapy or choose not to be treated. Worked with local medical practitioners and the community to deliver a second machine for Orange that services the whole region. Again, a vital treatment that has saved many lives across the Central West.
- Construction has started on the new Molong MPS, with a NSW Government commitment for a new Ambulance Station as well, ending years of uncertainty over health services at Molong.
- Helped save the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health in Orange with $16 million in funding.
- New emergency department at Wellington Hospital – before the 2011 election there was great community angst about security at Wellington Hospital and its ageing Emergency DepartmentNew emergency department at Wellington Hospital – before the 2011 election there was great community angst about security at Wellington Hospital and its ageing Emergency Department
- Lobbied for a new hospital at Mudgee - $60 million election commitment, with planning now underway
- If country hospitals close, country communities can die. It’s that simple. No issue symbolised Labor’s neglect of the bush more than the closure of Gulgong Hospital in 2010. The whole town turned out to protest its closure.
AGRICULTURE
- Subsidies for orchardists for fruit bat netting (and hail netting) – finally ending the yearly battle between farmers and the fruit bats!
- Central Tablelands Local Land Services – created with the help of neighbouring MP – Paul Toole
- Stopping cold Labor’s plans to sell and subdivide the Orange Ag institute
- Burrendong Dam cold water pollution project
TRANSPORT
- Wellington to Dubbo bus service – for decades Wellington was effectively isolated from its largest neighbour
INFRASTRUCTURE
- Almost $54 million in water security pipelines around the Central West
- Millions for the raising of Suma Park Dam Wall at Orange
- Feasibility study for a new dam at Cranky Rock near Canowindra
- Millions of dollars in funding for our local public reserves, including a new pavilion for the Orange Showground)
ROADS
- $16 million for the cope and Ulan Roads near Mudgee
- $40 million for the upgrade of the Mitchell Highway between Orange and Molong at Guanna Hill – residents have been pushing for this upgrade for over 30 years. After years of pestering NSW Roads Minister Duncan Gay and literally sitting outside his office urging him to “feed the goanna”, the work is now underway
- $2 million for overtaking lanes on the Cargo Road
- New bridge on the Cargo Road (old bridge had been there for more than 70 years)
- The paving of Main Road 353 – Wellington’s link to the Golden Highway had been dirt for years – it was Wellington’s biggest road priority and we delivered
- Concerned parents and communities were crying out for these extremely dangerous roads from Gulgong and Mudgee to the mines to be made safe. Through working collaboratively with local residents and the council, a community campaign resulted in a petition of over 11,000 signatures presented to the NSW Parliament and $16 million in Resources in Regions funding for the upgrades
COMMUNITY
- Three new domestic violence refuges for Orange – Orange unfortunately has some of the highest rates of domestic violence in the state. Worked with Orange’s Domestic Violence Working Group to secure NSW Government funding for three domestic violence safe houses in Orange.
- Securing $4 million in Payroll Tax Rebates to help keep Electrolux open
- Following the announcement that Electrolux would close, spearheaded a massive Electrolux re-training program – completed by 400 employees
- Fought for and delivered $6,000 Payroll Tax Rebates to hire ex-Electrolux worker
- $3.4 million Aboriginal Learning Centre at TAFE in Orange
- Wellington Courthouse Audio Visual Link
- Located just north of Mudgee, The Drip consists of the magnificent Great Dripping Wall formed of sandstone that towers over the Goulburn River. Just before the 2011 State election, the State Labor Government sold this iconic piece of bushland to a coalmine without telling anyone. When the deal ultimately became public, it proviked local and international outrage. After a long and arduous campaign, the mine and the NSW Government were finally able to reach an agreement for The Drip to be declared a National Park in 2015
EDUCATION
- $2.5 million for new classrooms at Catherine McAuley Catholic Primary School in Orange – the single largest grant given in recent times for an upgrade