NSW Treasurer Mike Baird paid a whistle-stop visit to the Hastings last week to see firsthand where some of the government’s money is being spent.
One of his stops was at the Tacking Point Lighthouse, where the Port Macquarie Sunrise Rotary Club is spearheading an ambitious list of improvements, which includes a new pathway, signage and seating.
The NSW Government awarded Rotary a grant of $29,616 for the work currently being carried out as well as a further $28,400 for the next stage of the project. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is also contributing funds, and some of the labour is coming through a Wesley Employment-run work-for-the-dole scheme.
During his visit, Mr Baird also met with members of the Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce and volunteers of the iKew Centre at Kew which received a $14,500 grant to improve toilet facilities at Kew.
He also called in at the new Ocean Club Resort at Lake Cathie and had morning tea with some of the new residents.
Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said this was the Treasurer’s fourth visit to the Port Macquarie electorate in less than three years.
“I thank Treasurer Baird for taking such a strong interest in the Port Macquarie electorate and would welcome him back anytime,” Ms Williams said.
“The Treasurer is always very keen to see firsthand how the tough economic decisions being made at a State level are translating on the ground.”
Ms Williams said on a state-wide level NSW was performing well and the runs were on the board to prove that.
“Just last week the ABS National Account figures were released which saw the NSW economy is now the best performing economy in the country on both a quarterly and annual basis,” she said.
“NSW has posted the strongest demand growth on a yearly basis of all the states for two consecutive quarters and is well above the national average.”
The State Government funds for the Lighthouse and iKew projects were both made through the Community Building Partnership program and Mrs Williams urged local community organisations to start preparing applications for the next round of grants.
“The 2014 round of Community Building Partnership grants will open in June this year with another $300,000 available to local community organisations and local councils to consider applying for funding,” she said.
For more information about the project visit www.sunrise-rotary.org.au and click on Future Projects.
