Heffron Budget News

Ms Keneally said Heffron wins a healthy share of the record $12.5 billion being invested this year in schools, hospitals, roads, transport and other vital infrastructure as part of the Government’s record $45 billion budget.

“This Budget meets the Government’s election commitment to improve and expand the public services working families rely on,” Ms Keneally said.

“Our local community will benefit from the acquisition of 260 new buses for the Sydney metropolitan and outer metropolitan areas in 2007/08, and planning for the Easy Access upgrade of Sydenham Station.

“We will further benefit from the $4 million committed in 2007/08 to conduct investigations on identified pinch point corridors including the Princes Highway in Tempe/St Peters.

“The Iemma Government will also invest $13 million for the supply of new public housing and upgrading of existing public housing in the Heffron electorate.”

Other projects being supported include:

• $1 million for feasibility work to begin for the upgrade of Redfern Station;
• More than $1 million into improving City West community housing;
• $ 2.3 million to upgrade the Cooks River Rail Yard; and
• $1.9 million to improve child and adolescent mental health inpatient services at Sydney Children's Hospital.

“The Iemma Government will fund key capital works projects worth almost $50 billion in the four years from 2007-08,” Ms Keneally said.

“This is a massive 56 per cent higher than the previous four years.

“The increase is driven by investments in new and upgraded schools and TAFE colleges, health and hospital facilities, roads and public transport and the assets of power and water utilities.

Ms Keneally said that the Government’s sound financial management and strong balance sheet meant it could increase spending on vital services for our community.

“Our record investment is creating and sustaining local jobs and improving the economic strength of the local area,” Ms Keneally said.