Campbelltown MP Greg Warren says he’s extremely concerned for the future of Campbelltown’s precious environment following the state government’s decision to abolish the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.
The environment is now part of an energy and environment ministry, while heritage has become part of the arts portfolio.
“The Liberals’ decision to green light the 136,000-plot cemetery in Macarthur’s pristine Scenic Hills showed exactly how little the premier and her colleagues value the local area’s environment,’’ Mr Warren said.
“I shudder to think how much damage the state government could do to Campbelltown’s environment in the next four years.’’
Mr Warren has called on Premier Gladys Berejiklian to fund several critical projects in the Campbelltown area.
They include the establishment of a koala national park from Appin to Glenfield, a $3 million Macarthur koala care centre, an $18 million multi-storey commuter car park at Campbelltown train station, $100 million for upgrades of Appin Road; air conditioning for every school in Campbelltown and mandated nurse to patient ratios at Campbelltown Hospital.
Save our koalas: MP Greg Warren, Archer the koala and handler Chad Staples.
In a letter he has sent to the premier, Mr Warren says “the needs of the Campbelltown community could not be ignored for another four years’’.
The local MP had secured funding commitment to these projects from the Labor opposition in the lead up to last month’s state election, won by the Liberal and Nationals coalition.
He urged the premier to urgently upgrade Appin Road from a single lane to a dual carriageway and provide a detailed plan to solve the commuter car parking crisis gripping Campbelltown’s train station.
“For eight years Campbelltown residents have suffered while the standard of schools, public transport, roads and health has continued to decline,’’ Mr Warren said.
“Our community cannot and will not tolerate another four years of neglect.
“Appin Road requires a major upgrade, including being reconfigured into a dual carriageway. This will only occur if the state government digs into its coffers to fund the project.
“If the Premier can approve thousands of new houses in the Macarthur region, she can cough up $100 million to fix the notorious Appin Road.’’
