LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin welcomed a responsible NSW Budget, that importantly addressed the historic neglect of social housing supply and frontline health worker accommodation, and which incentivised GP clinics to bulk bill more than 70 per cent of patients.

“Lismore has been identified as a possible future location for some of the 120 new health worker dwellings, which may include building new accommodation, refurbishment of existing living quarters and possible purchase of suitable properties such as motels,” Ms Saffin said.

“In Opposition, I successfully lobbied to keep the former Laurel Lodge in Lismore in public ownership, and had it repurposed as social housing units, so in Government, I’ll strongly advocate for our fair share of this Budget’s record investment in new housing, including public housing.

“If GP clinics across our electorate take up the Government’s new Bulk Billing Support Initiative (once legislated) it will help keep them viable, help reduce cost-of-living pressures on patients and take the pressure off hospital emergency departments.”

Ms Saffin said she was pleased to see that the Budget had allocated funding to help deliver on some of her key election commitments.

These included:

• $3 million towards her $5-million election commitment supporting Resilient Lismore’s ‘Repair to Return’ program, formerly known as the ‘Two Rooms Project’.
• $5.5 million to continue safety improvements on the Bruxner Highway.
• $1 million to start planning for a major upgrade of the Alphadale Crossroads intersection on the Bruxner in Lismore City LGA.
• A $3.1 million grant to Tenterfield Shire Council to complete the Mount Lindesay Road upgrade between Legume and Woodenbong.
• $4 million in grants to Kyogle Council towards improving flood immunity of the Clarence Way between Sandilands and Bonalbo.
• $2.55 million in grants to Kyogle Council towards a major program to replace the LGA’s remaining 30 timber and composite bridges.

“I look forward to seeing these much-needed projects, among many others, roll out,” Ms Saffin said.