Editorial
The utter contempt the NSW Berejiklian Government shows our region is getting beyond a joke.
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Seriously, even though Wollongong is the third largest city in NSW, this mob would struggle to find it on a map if we pointed it out to them.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, accompanied by the Member for Kiama Gareth Ward, called into the region earlier this week and the local media were called upon with half an hour's notice to fawn at his feet in what was a glorified photo opportunity at a local ice cream shop. Puh-lease. Perhaps come back again soon Treasurer and we'll tell you exactly what you can do with your waffle cone.
On Friday, the NSW Planning Department announced 24 projects worth $5.3 billion around the state to be fast-tracked to stimulate the economy. This comes after an earlier round which announced another 24 projects worth $7.5 billion. Not one of those 48 projects is in our region.
Look we get Wollongong has been a safe Labor seat, but that doesn't make our economy any less important or our people any less worthy.
We are expected to cry tears of joy at a long-awaited bypass that benefits a large part of this state and there was $300 million announced for South Coast trains this week, albeit they'll be a year late.Thanks a bunch.
All this while the plans for a redevelopment of the Shellhabour hospital - a redevelopment this community had to fight tooth and nail for - gathers dust without even a clear indication of where the hospital will be built.
All this while we have a regional entertainment centre, which is this Government's responsibility, falling apart at the seams and causing the region national embarrassment when the roof leaks during a live broadcast of a sporting contest.
Wollongong's Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery admitted his reaction to Friday's announcement was "That'd be right - what's new?"
Treasurer, next time you are in our region, bring your wallet and spare us the photo opportunities, we'd prefer some genuine action for this community instead.
