Archives: Media Releases

LOCAL SPORTS GET FUNDING BOOST

Congratulations to the 10 organisations in the Cronulla electorate that have been successful in the 2020/21 Local Sports Grants program. The grants will support these organisations – and their terrific teams of volunteers – to increase participation, provide training, purchase equipment and improve facilities.

Grant recipients:

  • Caringbah Redbacks Football Club (new goals)
  • Cronulla Golf Club (water chillers around the course)
  • Cronulla Seagulls (facilitation of training and purchase of club shirts for new coaches)
  • Cronulla Sharks Netball Club (uniforms for junior players)
  • Cronulla Triathlon Club (online coaching training programs)
  • Kurnell Outrigger Canoe Club (uniforms and paddle equipment)
  • Port Hacking Dragon Boat Club (paddle oars, PFDs and modification to two canoes)
  • Port Hacking Open Sailing Club (new support vessel for junior training)
  • South Cronulla Bowling and Recreation Club (new shade structures around the bowling greens)
  • Southside Malibu Club Cronulla (funding to host the Spring Classic Malibu Longboard Surfing Competition)

FURTHER PLANS FOR SUTHERLAND TO CRONULLA ACTIVE TRANSPORT LINK UNVEILED

The NSW Minister for Transport and Roads today unveiled an outline of the proposed route for the Kirrawee to Caringbah section of the Sutherland to Cronulla Active Transport Link (SCATL). The SCATL project is funded entirely by the NSW Government.

With the first stage of the project (1.3 kilometres from Sutherland to Kirrawee) already open, the proposed route will pick up near Kirrawee Station on Oak Road and continue to Gymea, Miranda and Caringbah, promising more direct links to local facilities and better connectivity to the existing cycling network.

After careful consideration, the preferred route to the north of the rail corridor was chosen because it offers users more direct connections to some of our key education, health, retail, employment and recreational facilities, which in turn delivers transport benefits and helps the local economy.

The ability for pedestrians and bike riders to join and leave the cycleway at more destinations was also a significant factor in determining the route, with the out-of-corridor design allowing users to join and leave the link as they like. An in-corridor route would have limited entry and exit points.

Like Stage 1, the vast majority of the pedestrian and bicycle path for Stage 2 will be off-road with 65 per cent of the route designed as a shared, off-road path and 30 per cent of the link a separated pedestrian and bicycle path. There will also be upgrades at intersections and priority crossings at side streets.

More detailed plans for the project will be on public display in the second half of 2021. Community feedback will play an important part in the planning approval process.

Subject to planning approval, construction of Stage 2 is expected to start late 2021 and be progressively opened from mid-2022.

The community is invited to have their say with community consultation beginning 19 April and running until 9 May. For more information head to https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/sutherland-to-cronulla-active-transport-link

FUNDING FOR CRONULLA SCHOOLS

A further six schools in the Cronulla electorate will receive funding under tranche 2 of the NSW Government’s $120 million Metro Renewal Program.

The Metro Renewal Program provides a government co-contribution of between 50 to 80 per cent for school infrastructure improvements to high priority schools in metropolitan areas.

This program, in addition to providing timely economic stimulus, is ensuring students can flourish in a great learning environment.

The project priorities are determined by the schools so that the funding delivers maximum benefit for their students.

The NSW Government is investing $7 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver more than 200 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

Tranche 2:

  • Caringbah North Public School (carpark upgrade)
  • Caringbah Public School (new covered walkways)
  • Kirrawee High School (toilet upgrades)
  • Kurnell Public School (COLA and shade structures)
  • Laguna Street Public School (new covered walkways)
  • Woolooware Public School (carpark upgrade) 

Tranche 1:

  • Burraneer Bay Public School (playground upgrade)
  • Caringbah High School (construction of new COLA)
  • Cronulla High School (hall upgrade)
  • Cronulla Public School (update of communication system)
  • Yowie Bay Public School (admin upgrade)

 

CATHY MASON NAMED CRONULLA LOCAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Kirrawee resident and long-time Rotarian Cathy Mason has been named Cronulla Local Woman of the Year for 2021.

This award is deserving recognition of Ms Mason’s generous community service over many years, both locally and overseas.

Cathy is an inspiring volunteer and an asset to our local community.

When you look at the numerous projects Cathy has led or supported over the past 24 years, you get a clear sense of how many people’s lives she’s influenced for the better.

Among other roles, Cathy has previously served as President of the Rotary Clubs of Gymea and Caringbah; Chairperson for Rotary’s Police Officer of the Year Awards; Director of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards; PR & Marketing Manager for the Sutherland Shire Relay for Life; and she was instrumental in establishing Rotary’s ‘Adopt-A-Town’ program in 2018 to support communities impacted by natural disasters.

Now in their tenth year, the NSW Women of the Year Awards shine a spotlight on some of the state’s most inspirational and influential women.

Past winners of the Cronulla Local Woman of the Year Award have been leaders in medicine, health and community advocacy and sport.

NSW Women’s Week is an opportunity to honour the many gifted and strong female leaders in our community.

And speaking of strong women, Cathy Mason sets the bar high – and I mean that quite literally, because she happens to be a champion weightlifter in her age division.

It’s terrific to hear of Cathy’s efforts to encourage more mature women to take up health and fitness and grow their self-belief.

Recently dubbed the “Weightlifting Granny”, Cathy’s love for the sport has led to her becoming a qualified referee and volunteering at many competitions, including the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Congratulations, Cathy, on your wonderful achievements!

Previous recipients of the Cronulla Local Woman of the Year Award are Margaret Corbett OAM (2020), Shirley Smith (2019), Kate Fitzsimons (2018), Alison Todd (2017), Jen Armstrong (2016), Megan Barnes (2015) and Dr Karen Crawley (2014). 

Find out more about the NSW Women of the Year Awards and the finalists at women.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/women-of-the-year.

$110 MILLION CONTRACTS SIGNAL GOOD NEWS FOR TRAIN TRAVELLERS

Train customers in Sydney’s south are a step closer to more frequent and reliable services after the NSW Government signed $110 million worth of new signalling contracts.

The deal with Siemens Mobility Pty Ltd will deliver the first digital signalling on Sydney’s rail network, between Sutherland and Cronulla, allowing drivers to receive information directly into the train cab rather than looking at fixed ‘traffic light’ signals outside.

It might sound like a minor change but it’s going to make a huge difference to the way our rail network operates.

While traditional signals have served Sydney well for decades, they are fixed at set locations and limit the railway from operating at its full potential. This technology allows the track and train to talk to each other continuously.

That means trains can run closer together, safely, and once installed across the network, will allow services to run more reliably. It will also mean when an incident happens, the network can recover more quickly.

Construction between Sutherland and Cronulla will start this month with the new system due to be ready for operations in 2023.

The work forms part of the NSW Government’s $5.3 billion More Trains, More Services Program.

As part of the program, Sutherland Shire commuters can look forward to a 30 per cent increase in services on the T4 Line, with extra services from Cronulla, Waterfall and Hurstville.

NSW GOVERNMENT FUNDS BURRANEER BAY PUBLIC SCHOOL OVAL PROJECT

Burraneer Bay Public School’s playing oval has undergone an impressive transformation, helped by a $200,000 grant from the NSW Government.

Cronulla MP Mark Speakman yesterday joined school community representatives to cut the ribbon and declare the freshly resurfaced field officially ‘open’.

“It was terrific to see the students enjoying their revamped oval,” Mr Speakman said.

“This project will benefit Burraneer Bay Public School students for many years to come.”

Mr Speakman said 248 projects across NSW were funded as part of the My Community Project program. He congratulated the school’s P&C on preparing a strong application and strong online community support.

P&C President, Craig Bulmer, welcomed the funding, saying the new facility will be enjoyed by the whole school community.

“We are so excited with the new oval – the kids just love it,” Mr Bulmer said.

“Thanks to Mark Speakman for all your support on this fantastic project.”

NSW GOVERNMENT ACCELERATES DREDGING WORKS IN PORT HACKING

The NSW Government will spend $2.5 million to fund dredging work in the Port Hacking’s main navigation channels, Cronulla MP Mark Speakman announced today.

The channels are used daily by the Cronulla to Bundeena ferry service and hundreds of recreational and commercial vessels.

“This safety issue has dragged on far too long. The local council has refused to make any contribution, unlike other councils along the NSW coast, which has been very frustrating,” Mr Speakman said.

“I’m grateful that the current NSW Transport Minister has listened to Lee Evans and me and stepped in to bypass the council and resolve the impasse.”

Mr Speakman said the dredging of the channel would make navigation on one of the Shire’s most popular boating areas “easier, safer and more enjoyable”.

Cronulla Ferries owner Carl Rogan is optimistic the dredging will make a big difference for boat owners and operators.

“This is fantastic news for all users of Port Hacking. From a safety point of view and ease of navigation the proposed dredging will assist all mariners,” Mr Rogan said.

Mr Speakman said the NSW Government is committed to providing access to key coastal locations, river entrances and local waterways through improved navigation for commercial and recreational vessels.

The last major dredging work in the Port Hacking channel was carried out in 2012. The new work is expected to be completed this year.

FIRST DESIGNS FOR KAMAY BAY FERRY WHARVES AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT

Transport for NSW is inviting interested members of the community to information sessions about the proposed reinstatement of ferry wharves at La Perouse and Kurnell.

Feedback received on the initial designs for the two wharves and associated infrastructure would help inform the final design, to be released later this year.

Four sessions will be held on site to give an opportunity for the community to review the initial designs, pose any questions and provide feedback to the project team.

This feedback will be considered by the project team and used to inform the final design and the Environmental Impact Statement which will be placed on public exhibition later this year.

The proposal includes infrastructure to support the operation of each wharf, reconfigured car parking and drop off zones, landscaping, wharf furniture, utilities and lighting.

Last year, Transport for NSW received positive feedback, including from the local Aboriginal community, other stakeholders and potential ferry service operators, which has all informed the current conceptual designs on display.

The project is part of a joint NSW and Australian government commitment, which received an additional $16 million boost in NSW maritime stimulus funding in late 2020 to bring the total funding commitment, including for construction, to $34 million.

A ferry service operated between Kurnell and La Perouse from the 1890s until 1974, when severe storms damaged the wharves. 

Reinstating these wharves will enable the return of a ferry service, support tourism including local whale watching charters, and provide safe access for recreational vessels.

The face-to-face sessions will be held at La Perouse on Wednesday 24 February between 5pm and 7pm and Saturday 27 February between 10am and 12 noon on the lawns in front of the La Perouse Museum.

The Kurnell sessions will take place on Wednesday 17 February between 5pm and 7pm and Saturday 20 February between 10am and 12 noon in the park near where the monument track meets Captain Cook Drive.

Construction of the wharves is expected to take about two years once all planning approvals are in place.

Community feedback can be provided via the project ‘Your Say’ page https://yoursay.transport.nsw.gov.au/kamay-ferry-wharves. For more information visit https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/kamay-ferry-wharves/index.html

NEW INTERN DOCTORS FOR SUTHERLAND HOSPITAL

I welcome the new intern doctors who are launching a new phase in their careers at Sutherland Hospital.

Sutherland Hospital’s new starters are among more than 1,000 intern doctors starting across NSW this year, the largest intake of any state or territory in Australia. South Eastern Sydney Local Health District is receiving 105 new intern doctors.

The new doctors who have started their internships will be entering a training program with networked hospitals throughout the state.

This year, NSW offered a record number of 1,041 intern doctor positions, which is an increase of 35 per cent since 2011.

Of these, 150 interns belong to the Rural Preferential Recruitment scheme, where interns undertake the majority of their training in rural hospitals.

The intake into this rural scheme has doubled since 2012, and aims to encourage interns to work in rural hospitals once they finish their training.

Interns are medical graduates who have completed their medical degree and are required to complete a supervised year of practice to become independent practitioners.

The NSW Government is investing $2.8 billion over four years in a record workforce boost of 8,300 frontline hospital staff, including 5,000 nurses and midwives, with 45 per cent of those for regional and rural areas.

MORE BUS SERVICES FOR ROUTE 987 CRONULLA TO KURNELL

I am pleased to announce that the Route 987 Cronulla to Kurnell bus service will double from 11 January, with around 70 extra weekly services being added to the current timetable.

The Cronulla to Kurnell route will see improved service frequency every day of the week, including extended hours particularly in the evenings.

The priority is to encourage more people out of their cars and onto public transport by providing more frequent services that gives more choice and flexibility around when people travel.

Currently there are service gaps during off-peak periods of up to 90 minutes on weekdays and four hours on weekends. The improvements will address this with a more consistent service offering across the board.

From 11 January 2021:

– Customers will have a service every 30 minutes in peak AM and PM periods, with services every 60 minutes in off-peak. 

– The first trip departs from Cronulla rail station at 5.45am and the last departs at 8.30pm. 

– Saturday services will depart Cronulla rail station from 7am, with a service every 60 minutes until the last trip at 8.00pm. 

– On Sundays, the first trip will depart at 7.45am, with a service every 60 minutes until the last trip at 6.45pm.

Since 2011, more than 38,000 additional weekly bus services have been delivered in NSW, including over 1,000 in the Sutherland Shire region.

The new timetable commences on 11 January. You can plan your journey from 28 December at www.transportnsw.info