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MEDIA RELEASES PETER DRAPER INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR THE ELECTORATE OF TAMWORTH Independent Candidate for the electorate of Tamworth Peter Draper has been very active within the electorate since announcing his intention to contest the upcoming NSW State election in March next year. Peter has been door knocking in Gunnedah, Werris Creek, Nundle, Kootingal, Walcha and Tamworth to meet as many people as possible prior to the election. Peter has also been attending a range of meetings and community events, and attended the Christmas meeting of the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce last week. Having spent so much time on the road recently, one thing that has become very apparent to Peter is the unsatisfactory state of many parts of the road system throughout the electorate. Peter has written to the Hon Carl Scully in his capacity as Transport Minister detailing areas of concern that have been raised during his travels. Funding to rectify the roundabout at Gunnedah, to replace the bridge at Nundle, to seal Topdale Road above Port Stephens cutting and complete works to Manilla Road in Tamworth are among the areas of concern raised in the submission. Peter has raised concerns over inadequate staffing levels within Workcover in our region with the Hon John Della Bosca as Special Minister for State. The local Workcover office has lost an Inspector due to incapacity, and another Inspector is regularly relieving in other areas of the State. This leaves only one Inspector available, and if this Inspector is ill, or on annual or long service leave, the electorate no longer has immediate coverage. While appreciating that an Inspector from another region can be used to cover such contingencies, Peter is concerned that this will simply disadvantage the other region. He has received reports that of some 40 Inspectors allocated to the Northern Region (of which three are designated to our local area), 13 are currently unavailable due to disability, stress leave, illness, long service or relief duty in other areas. Peter is very concerned that funding for the Gunnedah South Primary Schools hall has been withdrawn since the last by-election. When Independent member Tony Windsor was representing the electorate, the NSW Government indicated that funding would be made available for the hall, but this no longer appears to be the case. This issue has been ongoing and needs resolution. Peter has written to Education Minister the Hon John Watkins expressing his concern over the current situation and his support for the Gunnedah South School communities fight to obtain an essential facility. Peter welcomes community input into any issues of concern, and can be contacted at "Emerald Grove", Fishers Lane, Dungowan, by fax on 67694186 or on mobile 0417 290376. He encourages interested people to contact him with any queries or concerns. |