Federal Budget delivers $13.6m for Alstonville bypass

The long-awaited Alstonville bypass has received a $13.6 million kick-start in the first Budget handed down by Treasurer Wayne Swan.

Other local winners in last night’s Budget include Lismore and Grafton hospitals, the Ballina bypass project, and Southern Cross University.

Member for Page Janelle Saffin says that in its first Federal Budget, the Rudd Government has delivered on its election commitments to Page.

The 2008-2009 Budget includes:

$13.6 million to start work on the $90-million Alstonville Bypass on the Bruxner Highway.

$100m brought forward in 2008-2009 for Ballina Bypass on the Pacific Highway

$18 million to help upgrade the operating theatres and emergency department at Grafton Base Hospital

$7 million over two years to fast track radiotherapy services at Lismore Base Hospital. $8million already committed to this project.

$2 million for the Yamba Sports and Recreation Centre

$3 million for Casino Community Centre

$2 million for Casino town centre revitalisation

$1 million for South Grafton CBD revitalisation

$125,000 for upgrade of Grafton Saleyards

$200,000 for Lismore Homeless Shelter

$250,000 in recurrent funding for the Northern Rivers Business Enterprise Centre.

A new one-off $5.2-million grant to Southern Cross University, Lismore, from the Higher Education Investment Fund.

The other election commitment of $2.22 million in family support programs in Lismore was announced last month.

Ms Saffin says this is a good news Budget for the electorate, with major funding for hospitals, roads and infrastructure to meet the challenges of this fast growing region.

The Budget also provides promised funds for  family programs, small business support, the Lismore Homeless shelter and local flood management planning.

“I said during the election campaign that my commitments for Page would be delivered, and they have been,” Ms Saffin said.

“This Budget makes it clear to the people of Page that they are no longer being ignored.

“After 11 years of neglect under the Coalition, there is a lot of work to be done and Wayne Swan’s Budget provides the funding for vital projects can now get under way.”

The only remaining election commitment for Page  is the  $5 million promised for the Grafton GP Superclinic, which is expected to be delivered in the 2009-10 budget after the consultation and planning process.

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