Archives: Media Releases

KIRRAWEE HIGH SCHOOL CADET FIREFIGHTERS GRADUATE

Fourteen students from Kirrawee High School have today successfully completed the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Secondary School Cadet Program.


The cadets have completed an eight week course that has given them skills which will last a lifetime.


The program is a great way to introduce young people to the important role volunteer fire fighters play within communities.


As well as examining fire behaviour, the students have been taught essential fire safety techniques and gained an appreciation of the work emergency services volunteers face every day.


The cadet program also offers students the opportunity to experience firsthand the commitment and camaraderie that comes with volunteering.


This is the fifth year that Kirrawee High School has offered the NSW RFS Secondary School Cadet Program to its students.


The school provides support to the program by supervising the cadets during training.


It is this ongoing support from the school’s Principal Paul Owens, the teachers and staff that help to make the program such a success.


The benefits of volunteering are enormous and it is inspiring to see our next generation getting involved.

 

 

 

 

SUTHERLAND SENIORS GET ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY

Local seniors will be supported to remain active and engaged in the community through two innovative projects being funded by the NSW Government in the Sutherland Shire.

The Ring o‘Roses project has received $24,500 through the Liveable Communities Grants program. Ring o’Roses aims to reduce social isolation experienced by older people and people with disability. The Ring O’Roses team, comprising people with disability, support workers and older volunteers, will collect unused flower arrangements and these will then be delivered to aged care facilities.

Ring o’Roses was a good example of the unique projects supported by the Liveable Communities Grants program.

Programs like these make the Shire a more inclusive, accessible and enjoyable place to live in later life.

In addition, Sutherland Shire Council has received $60,000 for The Loneliness Project, which will see volunteers visit older people and spend time building connections with them. Sutherland Shire Council will work with community partners BeConnected Community Services Inc., 3Bridges Community, and Gymea Community Aid and Information services to create these programs and to reach seniors so they can participate in these programs.

This project will promote wellness and wellbeing for older people through active participation and enhancing social networks.

The NSW Government is supporting projects like these so residents are supported to stay engaged with friends, family and the wider local community as they grow older.

Both projects have secured funding through Round Three of the NSW Government’s Liveable Communities Grants, with 25 programs receiving a share of $1.2 million this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STAGE 1 F6 EXTENSION UPDATE

Stage 1 of the F6 extension, between the new M5 and President Avenue Kogarah, will allow drivers to bypass 23 sets of traffic lights and save up to 15 minutes on each journey.

 

Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced it’s now fully funded and open for community feedback.

 

Following this round of community consultation, an Environmental Impact Statement will be completed and exhibited. The Government is targeting tendering and procurement to be underway next year.

 

The stage 1 design includes connection tunnels to facilitate the F6 between Kogarah and Loftus, which is in development.

 

For further information visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/f6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE TRAIN SERVICES FOR T4 ILLAWARRA LINE

The number of trains which can run during the morning and afternoon peaks on the T4 Illawarra Line and T8 Airport Line will be increased, following the NSW Government’s $880 million investment in technology improvements to modernise the Sydney Trains network.


Five more trains an hour will operate during the peak on the T4 Illawarra Line from Cronulla, which is an increase of up to 30 per cent in capacity.


The T4 Illawarra Line and T8 Airport Line are the first beneficiaries of these signalling upgrades, which will be rolled out across the network – significantly boosting capacity and reliability for all train customers.


These upgrades will be delivered in stages with services coming online progressively from the early 2020s.


The technology improvements will also allow for eight more services an hour on the T8 Airport Line at the International, Domestic, Mascot and Green Square stations, meaning trains at least on average every four minutes instead every six.


Over the next 10 years the T4 and T8 program will deliver:

  • More services that will reduce wait times, meet demand and provide more seats for long distance customers.
  • Faster travel times for customers through digital train control technology and upgraded rail infrastructure, creating more opportunities for express trains.
  • Improved reliability and reduce customer impacts from incidents.

Since coming to Government the NSW Liberals & Nationals have added an additional 30,000 public transport services.

 

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REPORT NOW ONLINE FOR NEW AND EXTENDED CLEARWAYS ON TAREN POINT ROAD

The community engagement report is now available online for new and extended clearways on Taren Point Road between Captain Cook Bridge, Taren Point and Kingsway at Caringbah.

Clearways will be installed as part of the NSW Government’s $121 million Clearways Program, which aims to reduce delays and congestion by maximising use of existing road space.

In November last year, Roads and Maritime Services informed businesses, the community and key stakeholders of new weekend and extended weekday clearways on Taren Point Road between Captain Cook Bridge at Taren Point and Kingsway at Caringbah.

Feedback was requested on proposed alternative business parking arrangements on Box and Kumulla Roads to offset business parking removed from Taren Point Road once the new and extended clearways come into effect.

Roads and Maritime has listened to all feedback received and will be progressing with the new and extended clearways on Taren Point Road, with some minor changes.

Between Captain Cook Bridge and The Boulevarde/Captain Cook Drive, the extended weekday clearways will operate in both directions from 6am to 7pm and the new weekend and public holiday clearways will operate in both directions from 9am to 6pm.

Proposed clearways between The Boulevarde/Captain Cook Drive and Kingsway have been changed. The existing weekday clearways will be extended to operate in both directions from 6am to 10am and from 3pm to 7pm, but not on weekends.

To further improve efficiency at the intersections of Taren Point Road with The Boulevarde/Captain Cook Drive and Kingsway, Roads and Maritime will be introducing additional parking restrictions to provide additional lane capacity to improve traffic through these intersections. The parking restrictions will also support the weekday clearways operating in both directions from 6am to 10am and from 3pm to 7pm on this section of Taren Point Road.

The new and extended clearways, including the additional parking restrictions, are vital to keep motorists moving through this key arterial route safely and efficiently.

For more information and to view the Community Engagement Report visit rms.nsw.gov.au/clearways.

Roads and Maritime is finalising the alternate business parking with council and once this has been approved, the community will be updated and provided with a timeline for installation.

QUICKER AND SAFER TRAVEL THROUGH TAREN POINT ROAD AT THE BOULEVARDE AND CAPTAIN COOK DRIVE AT CARINGBAH

Motorists will soon experience a quicker but safer journey through Taren Point Road at The Boulevarde and Captain Cook Drive at Caringbah.

The NSW Government is carrying out the work as part of the $100 million Congestion and Safety Program which aims to reduce congestion and improve safety throughout the State.

Roads and Maritime Services will be making improvements to the intersection of Taren Point Road, The Boulevarde and Captain Cook Drive at Caringbah.

The high number of vehicles turning right from Taren Point Road into The Boulevarde is resulting in congestion.

Work to reduce this congestion involves widening Taren Point Road to provide an additional right turning lane which will allow more southbound vehicles to travel through the intersection during each traffic light phase.

Work includes realigning the north-western corner of the intersection to allow for the road widening as well as relocating and widening the existing pedestrian crossing and kerb ramps on The Boulevarde.

The existing utilities on the south-western corner of the intersection will be replaced along with the existing foot path and fencing.

Work will include altering two signalised pedestrian crossings on Taren Point Road at the northern and southern ends of the intersection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW CARINGBAH AMBULANCE SUPERSTATION

I joined Health Minister, Brad Hazzard and Shire MPs today on a site visit to the new Caringbah ambulance superstation.


The Caringbah superstation, due to be completed by the end of this year, is another step in ensuring our community receives the best possible medical care when they need it the most. The superstation will complement the recent $62.9million redevelopment of Sutherland Hospital.


The superstation is one of nine superstations being constructed under the NSW Government’s $150 million Sydney Ambulance Metropolitan Infrastructure Strategy program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$50,000 IN GRANTS TO LOCAL SPORTING CLUBS

I am delighted to announce that local sporting clubs in the Cronulla electorate will receive funding under the NSW Government 2017/18 Local Sport Grant Program.

The program provides an opportunity for local sporting clubs to access additional resources to deliver infrastructure projects and services to our community. Sporting clubs in the Cronulla electorate to receive a share of the $50,000 funding are:

  • Sutherland District Cricket Club Inc – $13,221 for Tonkin Oval playing surface upgrade
  • Cronulla Sharks Boardriders Club – $5,000 for uniforms and equipment
  • Sydney South Hockey Association – $5,000 for  hockey goals
  • North Cronulla Junior Boardriders Club – $4,999 for uniforms and equipment
  • Cronulla – Sutherland District Junior Rugby Football League Incorporated – $4,000 for safety fencing along storm water channel
  • Cronulla Sutherland Kayak Club – $4,000 for paddles and shade tent
  • Sharks International Water Polo academy – $4,000 for uniforms and equipment
  • Wanda Surf Lifesaving Club Inc – $3,500 for community surf carnival
  • Cronulla Sailing Club – $2,300 for uniforms and equipment
  • Cronulla Sutherland Water Polo Club – $2,000 for coaching development and pathways program
  • Woolooware Golf Club Limited – $1,980 for sport trainer courses for affiliated clubs

The program provides grants of up to $20,000 towards projects that support grassroots sport and improve participation rates.

Projects that are eligible include upgrades to local amenities or improving access to facilities, training programs and community events.

The next round of funding is expected to open in late 2018. For more information visit: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/localsport

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Missing Link of Woolooware Bay Shared Pathway Opens

Woolooware Bay Shared Pathway is now officially open to the public with ‘Stage 6’ connecting the Shorebird Reserve and Atkinson Road at Taren Point.

 

The NSW Government provided $2 million in funding for the project. I am delighted that this missing link to the Woolooware Bay Shared Pathway is now complete.

 

This will improve pedestrian and cycling safety thanks to a separate pathway that avoids heavy vehicles and traffic in the Taren Point industrial area.

 

Woolooware Bay Shared Pathway forms part of the 43.6km long Botany Bay Trail that facilitates safe walking and cycling around Botany Bay.

 

I am pushing extremely hard to progress the development of the Sutherland to Cronulla Active Transport Link, a shared pathway linking our town centres, schools and recreation spaces that will form the backbone of the shire’s cycling network and regional links.

 

Stage 6 has also resolved complex environmental issues in the area, including: land remediation; heritage list conservation; mangrove, saltmarsh and aquatic ecology protection; and the protection of migratory and endangered shorebirds and their habitat.

 

 

ROBERT LOVELL NAMED 2018 CRONULLA SENIOR OF THE YEAR

I am delighted to announce Robert Lovell as the Cronulla Senior of the Year for 2018.

 

Mr Lovell has made an outstanding contribution to Kurnell Public School over many years.

 

Mr Lovell has been a longstanding volunteer at school events, as well as contributing to maintenance of school grounds. Mr Lovell runs garage sales and stalls, assists with school fundraising efforts, drives the minibus, mows the school lawns, and marks out tracks for sports carnivals.

 

Mr Lovell is also a life member of North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club and former President of Kurnell Community Sport and Recreation Club.

 

This award is deserving recognition of Mr Lovell’s tireless efforts and generosity.

 

I congratulate all the finalists for the Cronulla Senior of the Year and thank everyone who took the time to prepare and submit a nomination.

 

The other finalists were:

  • June Allen – volunteer work at Burraneer Bay Public School
  • Helen Douglas – 20 years’ service at Engadine Preschool Kindergarten
  • Ron Hoffmans –  ongoing work with community radio station 2SSRFM; at 97 years old, Australia’s oldest current radio announcer
  • Bruce Lucas – volunteer work at St Phils Church Caringbah
  • Sue Shoebridge – volunteer work with 3Bridges Community Early Years Support Service
  • Colin Tasker – ongoing support of Port Hacking Open Sailing Club; commodore since 2005.