Chris Minns Announces $15 Million Investment Into The Thornton Rail Bridge Duplication Project

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The state government says it's coming through on it's commitment to ease traffic congestion in Maitland, by investing $15 million into the next stage of the Thornton Rail Bridge Duplication Project. 

It comes with an estimated 7,000 new residents expected to call Maitland home within the next 20 years. 

The funding will be used to kick-off initial planning works to duplicate the bridge, with the hopes of expanding access out to Thornton Road, offering residents a flood-free route during natural disasters. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns was in Thornton for the announcement on Friday, and said community members have been calling out for a quicker, more secure route in and out of Maitland. 

"These are flood-prone areas that need evacuation routes in the event of a natural disaster, and so it's not just a question of ease of mobility and infrastructure upgrades, this is essential in ensuring that you've got a resilient community that can deal with the effect and the threat of flooding in Maitland." 

Community consultation on the project is expected to begin soon, following the funding announcement. 

NSW Premier Chris Minns

NSW Premier Announces $100,000 in Funding Support for Families of the Greta Bus Crash Victims

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The state government is donating $100,000 to help people affected by the Greta bus crash. 

The injection will provide benevolent relief and support to survivors, victims, and their immediate families. 

A fundraiser set up by the Singleton Roosters AFL Club in support of affected locals has so far raised more than $120,000. 

Visiting the Hunter today, NSW Premier Chris Minns said the funds from the government will be put into a Rotary Australia-led fund which will support those in the community who have been directly impacted by the tragedy. 

"We will leave it up to Rotary and their governance process to distribute the funds, but we anticipate they will be used for funeral expenses for those who have passed," Mr. Minns said.  

Rotary expects the fund will raise more than $1 million in total. 

The Premier also took the time to thank emergency service staff and the Australian public for their outpouring of support for the Hunter community, and gave an update on those victims still in hospital. 

At this stage nine patients are in a stable condition at the John Hunter Hospital, two are in a stable condition at Singleton Hospital, and two are in a stable condition at the Royal Prince Albert in Sydney. 

Image: Newcastle Herald