INFRASTRUCTURE: 1a. the basic structural foundations of a society or enterprise; a substructure or foundation. b. roads, bridges, sewers etc, regarded as a country’s economic foundation.
From the Australian
Concise Oxford Dictionary
It has become the buzz word in the lead up to the Maitland City Council election.
Most of the 57 candidates have highlighted the need for more “infrastructure” in the growing Maitland local government area, promising that, if elected, each will lobby the NSW Government to ensure the city gets its share.
A bypass road, public transport, the completion of the third Hunter River Crossing – all State responsibilities – are high on the wish lists of potential councillors.
But Maitland MP Frank Terenzini has challenged candidates to consider local infrastructure under their own responsibility.
He said about 80 per cent of inquiries made to his office were about the upkeep of parks, playgrounds, footpaths and local roads.
“Every day of my life as an MP, I hear the word infrastructure,” he said.
“I’m growing a little tired of aspiring politicians using the word. It’s a buzz word.
“Let’s put out a challenge to candidates to come up with ideas on local government infrastructure.
“Instead of focusing on State issues, what are they prepared to do to look at that side of things?”
Mr Terenzini said the State Government allocated about $50 million to Maitland in this year’s State Budget.
Plans for the city include a new hospital.
“Let’s go through it, and let’s go back to what has happened in Maitland since John Price was the member,” he said.
“We’ve got government departments, we’ve got the Weakleys Drive overpass under construction, there’s money for the third river crossing, there’s a $10 million expansion of Maitland Hospital, there’s an expansion of pre-school places, we have contributed to Maitland Regional Art Gallery, we are upgrading Morpeth Bridge, we have had a police restructure, we’ve allocated $300,000 to Maitland Public School and we are upgrading the science labs at Maitland High School.
“We’re also contributing to a $1 million transport study so that the Maitland bypass will get serious attention.
“Yes, in a growing area there are always things to do.
“But we’re covering all the areas of roads, health, police and schools.
“I think Maitland is getting good attention from the NSW Government.”
A spokesperson for Premier Morris Iemma agreed the Government was well aware of the needs in Maitland.
“The Government recognises Maitland is one of the fastest growing areas in NSW (and) that’s why we’re investing in infrastructure to cope with that growth now and into the future,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“For example, the $10 million expansion of the Maitland Hospital emergency department, which was approved by the council (last week), $10 million this year for the third river crossing to ease traffic congestion and $3 million this year to provide a new water main to Thornton North.
“The challenges Maitland faces regarding growth and congestion are being addressed by the government working closely with the council and the community.”
Maitland City Council city strategy manager Monica Gibson said planners were continually measuring the services and infrastructure required to serve growing areas.
“We have been responsible and forward thinking when it comes to infrastructure,” she said.
“We have been able to look at and set parameters for new infrastructure.
“For example, section 94 plans (from developer contributions) will provide new infrastructure as the population is growing so when it comes to local infrastructure we have quite a sound platform.
“But we don’t have a strong role in establishing schools, or more beds for hospitals.
“We are pro-active in identifying those and speaking to the government department responsible for getting them, but ultimately it lies with the State Government.”
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