New Facilities for Students in the Hunter

 BY CHARLOTTE LLOYD 

The Morrison Government has announced funding for three Hunter schools as part of the Capital Grants Program. 

The successful school applicants of the program are ALESCO Senior College in North Lakes, St Phillip's Christian College, Salamander Bay and St Brigid's Catholic College in Lake Munmorah. 

Each school will be receiving varying funding amounts based on their reconstruction and infrastructure proposals. 

The refurbishments are all set to modernise  schools with up-to-date facilities which is in hopes to help kids thrive in the classroom with high-end learning facilities. 

Among the redevelopments are general learning areas, outdoor breakout areas, and administration and staff amenities, to benefit both students and teachers of the schools. 

Patron Senator for The Hunter Region Hollie Hughes says, 

"This money is going to ensure that where students actually learn and look to the future and come out with the best result, have the absolute best facilities that they can have." 

$3 Million Boost for Regional Football Clubs

 BY SAMUEL BARTLETT

Hunter football clubs have received a share of almost $3 million from the NSW government’s Regional Sports Facility Fund. 

The NSW government committed $50 million to fund regional clubs over two years, helping create spaces and facilities that enable communities to enjoy and take part in sport. 

The state government allocated $25 million to round one for 2020-21, with eight projects associated with Northern NSW Football clubs successful in applications totaling $2,897,553. 

Football clubs in the Hunter Valley, Macquarie and Newcastle zones have been some of the successful applicants to upgrade fields, lighting and changerooms.

Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland says the successful applications reaffirmed their commitment to advocate for regional clubs

He says, “in a number of cases our Community Football team here at Northern NSW Football identified club projects that aligned with various local infrastructure strategies and provided support and access to our consultants to assist our applicants,”

“These types of successful facility projects will help increase participation and accessibility and facilitate quality football experiences in a safe and welcoming environment.” 

Port Stephens Council received $840,000 and $260,000 for upgrades to the King Park Regional Sport Complex and Tomaree Regional Sport Complex respectively.

David Eland says, "there's a huge need for investment, our audit and strategy identifies that there's up to $300 million worth of investment required in facilities, but $3 million is a great start,"

Dudley Redhead United have received $271,000 to install new lights down at Myalls oval which is great news and I know that they've been trying for years to get their second field under lights,"

"Its going to increase that clubs capacity enormously," he says.

Northern NSW Football enlisted the help of consultants to make sure club submissions for grants were the best they could possibly be and Mr Eland says they'll continue to support clubs whenever they can.

"The football community can be assured that every time there is money available, Northern NSW Football will be working with them to apply for it," he said.

Newcastle missing out on $100 million in sports funding

BY JARROD MELMETH

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp is calling on the NSW Government to give a clear definition of where the region stands as a city when it comes to applying for sports infrastructure funding.

The NSW Office of Sport says funding for the Regional fund is available for projects in all 92 regional local government areas, under which Newcastle is not included.

Eligibility for the Greater Sydney Sports Facilities fund includes the 33 local government authorities in Greater Sydney, which also does not include Newcastle.

Mr Crackanthorp described the issue as "an absolute joke."

"Nearly every other local government area in the state is included in either the Sports Infrastructure Fund or the Greater Sydney Sports Facilities fund which is a total of $300 million. But, Newcastle and Wollongong have been left out of that.

"It shows the governments complete contempt for Newcastle by putting it in the Abyss between Metropolitan and Regional definitions, excluding us from all funding options," Mr Crakanthorp said.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp.

Federal Labor Analysis Reveals $12 million Lost In The Hunter

BY JARROD MELMETH

A recent analysis conducted by federal Labor has found the Hunter region lost almost $12 million in funding during the Governments freeze on Financial Assistance Grants.

According to the Government's own estimates, its 2014 budget move to freeze indexation to FAGs cost local communities more than $600 million worth of services and infrastructure over the three years, with the biggest impact felt by councils in regional and remote Australia.

Financial assistance grants are provided by the federal government under the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995 which are distributed among the States on an equal per capita basis. These funds are then dispersed among local governing bodies.

In what was described as a budget repair measure in 2013, the Coalition government froze the grants, which put a strain on spending, forcing councils to tighten their purse strings.

In 2017 the freeze was lifted by Treasurer Scott Morrison but Paterson MP Meryl Swanson says the damage has already been done.

"$12 million for an area like Paterson, means better roads, it means things that we all consider very important in our community, things like recycling and rubbish disposal. All the things that local councils provide for us in our everyday life.

"This is why we need to support local government. We need to ensure that it is properly funded. Local government really is the coal face of government in Australia," Ms Swanson says.

Pictured: Paterson MP Meryl Swanson.

$94 Million Funding Boost for Hunter Schools

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

Public schools across the Hunter are set to receive a whopping $94.5 million in needs-based funding for 2018.

It's part of a record $1.9 billion in Government funding delivered to schools across the state which is an increase of 8% on last year's funds.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald the region has down quite well for itself.

"Cessnock is getting nearly $18 million, Charlestown schools $9.8 million, Lake Macquarie nearly $10 million, Maitland nearly $16 million, Newcastle schools $6.8 million, Port Stephens schools $11.8 million, Swansea schools nearly $11 million, [and] Wallsend also $11 million so I'm particularly pleased that Hunter schools seem to be doing well out of [the funding]."

With the funds, local schools will be able to address the needs of their students and implement new initiatives for their educational benefit.

Scot MacDonald says each school will nominate where they want the funds to be spent.

"But traditionally, they'll go towards things like literacy and numeracy support, teacher training, speech pathologist those sorts of things. The local schools are best at identifying how that funding should be spent."

Belmont High School [Image: BHS]

The Government also announced a $25 million upgrade to Belmont High School earlier this week, with work expected to begin next year.

Though it's currently in the design phase, the project is looking at upgrading the school's administration block, building a new performing centre, technology learning centre, flexible learning spaces, toilets and a canteen.

Hunter Men's Shed receive funding boost

BY MICHAEL COOK

Five Men's Sheds in the Hunter have been granted shared funding of over $18,000 to continue the positive impact they have in the community.

The funding comes from the National Men's Shed Development Programme which offers grants to support groups invest in community projects, training and seminars as well as purchasing tools and equipment.

Those receiving a share of the funding include Wangi, Branxton-Greta, Muswellbrook and Cessnock as well as Lake Macquarie Classic Boat Association.

Federal Member for Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon says grants like this help the Men's Sheds and the community as a whole.

"Men's Sheds have been a great success.

"They are very good for those who are active in the Sheds and are of course doing great work in the community," he said.

Muswellbrook Men's Shed
Source: http://www.muswellbrookchronicle.com.au/story/1409691/gallery-pick-of-the-pics/

Road Funding for Port Stephens

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Five of Port Stephen's worst road blackspots won't be a danger for much longer, with a funding boost from the state government.

As a part of the Safer Roads Program $3 million will be invested into projects like off-road cycleways and widened lanes on Nelson Bay Road, nearly $800,000 into two intersections on Lemon Tree Passage Road and traffic calming devices in a couple of areas.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald says in regional areas, including the Hunter, 254 people have lost their lives on local roads. That's two-thirds of the total road toll for 2016.

"It's really targeted at some of those areas where there's evidence of crashes and injuries and even death. Regional NSW is unfortunately disproportionately represented in terms of road deaths and road injuries."

The five upgrades are:
- $300,000 for off-road cycleways at roundabouts, and widening lanes for more cycleways on a 9.5km length of nNelson Bay Road and east of Marsh Road, Williamtown/Salt Ash
- $795,000 for two intersections on Lemon Tree Passage Road, Tenilba Bay
- $1.65 million to install a two lane roundabout at intersection of Raymond Terrace Road and Seaham Road at Nelsons Plains
- $120,000 to install traffic calming devices, improve road surface with increased friction and improve sight distance at intersection of Shoal Bay Road and Gowrie Avenue at Nelson Bay
- $190,000 to install traffic calming devices to reduce risk of crashes on Foreshore Drive, Port Stephens Drive, Salamander Bay

Scot MacDonald says ironically, the money being used for the projects comes from drivers themselves. 

"Look unfortunately the money comes out of speed camera revenue which is dedicated to going back to safer roads. No one likes to be pinged and pay those fines, but at least if you do get caught and you do pay that fine you understand the money is going back to Safer Roads Program,." he said.

Image ferrovial.com

$96,000 in heritage funding for Maitland

BY JARROD MELMETH

Three of Maitland's historical landmarks are set for $96,000 in upgrades courtesy of the NSW Heritage Grants Program.

The program aims to assist with the delivery of engaging projects that support community groups, to promote, protect and celebrate heritage in NSW.

Walka Water Works has received $40,000 for the implementation of the stage two interpretation plan which will focus on improved access to the site and interpretive experiences for visitors. 

Glebe Cemetery and the Maitland Jewish Cemetery will also share in the cash which will be used for conservation works and improved access at the three sites. 

Image mymaitland.com.au

Labor promise to deliver to the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The State Opposition have today called out the Berejiklian Government accusing it of failing to support the Hunter region in the State Budget.

Labor doesn't believe the region is getting its fair share from the government considering the huge amount it gives to the state as a region through tourism, economy, produce and products.

Among the projects, the opposition says we've been failed on are the Lake Macquarie Transport Interchange, the new Maitland Hospital and the Newcastle Art Gallery expansion project. Labor says the projects were either explicitly excluded from the budget or received only token funding.

To make up for it, Labor have promised long-awaited Hunter projects like these, will be fully funded from a Regional Infrastructure Fund if Labor wins government in 2019. Labor Leader Luke Foley says the funds would come from the sale of the Snowy Hydro Scheme putting 100 per cent of the $4-5 billion sale to regional NSW.

"100 per cent of those funds will go to regional NSW, regional cities like here in the Newcastle area and the broader Hunter region. That means places like the Illawarra, the Hunter, the Central Coast, will be separated from the CBD and Sydney and we will be able to have our own regional funds," said Shadow Treasurer Ryan Park.

He adds,

"I've got to be honest with you, I'm a bit sick of hearing about it because I think it should've been resolved a long time ago. I think governments of all persuasions have let the community down and what I want to make sure we do going forward as the shadow treasurer is getting this issue off the table, get this issue sorted, and get this issue delivered for out community."

Shadow Treasurer Ryan Park Image lithgowmercury.com.au

Exceptional Hunter research rewarded

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

The Hunter's exceptional medical research was today recognised by Federal Assistant Minister for Health David Gillespie who visited the Hunter Medical Research Institute this morning.

The visit came with some gifts including the Hunter Institute of Mental health receiving $5 million in collaboration with the Black Dog Institute and $225,000 in seed funding will be used to help turn pure scientific research being conducted by the Hunter Medical Research Institute into practical treatment outcomes for patients.

NSW Regional Health Partners has also been accredited by the National Health and Medical Research Council as one of Austrlaia's first Centre's for Innovation in Regional Health.

David Gillespie believes the funding will help turn pure research into real medical outcomes for patients.

Federal Assistant Health Minister
David Gillespie

"Well the scientists do pure research and develop really new things but then you've got to translate it into a practical application and that's what we're focusing on with this funding. It's translating pure research into applied treatments."

He also says there are often gaps in treatment options for patients struggling with anxiety and depression, so it's just another area the funding will greatly help.

"Mental health is a big issue in the community, it's been hidden behind closed doors for many years but now people are aware of how common it is, people are speaking up but we need to translate all this research into anxiety and depression and into practical treatments," said David Gillespie.

NSW Government is still Fixing Country Roads

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The state government is still Fixing Country Roads throughout the Hunter region with the third round of funding under the program now open.

A further $100 million is now available for eligible councils to share in for upgrades to roads, bridges and truck washes.

The funding is aimed to go towards projects which local councils believe will deliver significant benefits to local communities. The funding is a part of a $543 million commitment for Fixing Country Roads from Rebuilding NSW.

Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland and Port Stephens Councils are all being encouraged to apply for a share in the funding with applications open until 1 September 2017.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald says country roads need to be streamlined for efficiency to ensure the easy movement of freight in and out of regional areas well into the future.

"From the conversations I've had with council it's always a case of money and proritising and for me it's looking at where the trucks are running at the moment, where we need to have better connectivity for our freight network and where we can get more efficiency around that," said Scot MacDonald.

NSW Budget 2017: What's in it for us?

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Berejiklian government are basking in the glory of a $4.5 billion dollar surplus after Treasurer Dominic Perrotet handed down his first budget yesterday which included millions of dollars in infrastructure and roads funding for the Hunter.

The region will see $49 million dollars for roads, more than $205 million for Newcastle's revitalisation projects and funding boosts for many projects which have already started.

The key highlights include:
- $206.1 million in 2017-18 for Newcastle Light Rail
- $29 million for the New England Highway, Scone Bypass and $23.4 million towards Cormorant Road, Industrial Drive to Stockton Bridge in 2017-18
- $12 million to widen rail underpass for New England Highway, Gowrie Gates
- $5 million for New England Highway, Belford to Golden Highway upgrade planning
- $5 million towards building new hospital at Maitland
- $13.1 million for continued work at Muswellbrook Hospital
- $101.7 million towards 400 beds at Cessnock Correctional Centre
- $75 million in total Restart NSW funding for the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund
- $43 million to remediate Newcastle BHP sites
- $11.8 million for Lower Hunter Freight Corridor

Treasurer Dominic Perrotet Image abc.net.au

But the budget is being labelled by local Labor MP's as "Sydney-centric" and even "mean" with claims many of the announcements aren't announcements at all, but re-announcements of funding and projects everyone already knew.

Newcastle saw $206 million for the light rail and revitalisation of the CBD, and just under $5 million for upgrades to the Hunter Street and Tighes Hill Tafe campuses, but MP Tim Crakanthorp has accused the government of simply recycling old promises.

"I think it's just smoke and mirrors which is what we've come to expect from the budget. It's a very Sydney focused budget from a Sydney-centric government. There are millions of dollars flowing into Sydney but critical infrastructure in Newcastle misses out. We're the second largest city in the state and we deserve better."

At the other end of town in Maitland, the new Lower Hunter Hospital only received $5 million towards what is a $450 million project with the completion date also pushed back to 2024, 13 years after it was promised.

MP Jenny Aitchison has labelled the government as having "no vision for the future" and says the people of Maitland have every right to feel let down by their government.

"They're boasting down here in Sydney about supposedly billions of dollars of surplus but they can only find $5 million for Maitland hospital and they're going to spend $500,000 on a couple of the schools in an electorate which is one of the fasted growing in the state. It's just not fair."

However, Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes has welcomed the news of key investments into roads, rail, education, health and business.

He sees the continuation of funding for Revitalising Newcastle as a massive win to improve travel through the city centre, connect key activity precincts and connect the inner city to the foreshore.

Businesses generally will benefit from the budget as well, largely due to the cutting of red tape across the sector including a $7.5 million investment in the Business Connect Program as well as $96 million to the Jobs for NSW initiative to encourage business investment and growth and stimulate the labour market.

"We're encouraged by the continuation of investment in projects like Maitland's hospital and the revitalisation of Newcastle as well as a number of key projects and programs that link into business. So the continued investment by the government in business connect programs and $96 million for Jobs for NSW initiatives," said Bob Hawes.

Funding Boost for Cooks Hill Surf Club

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

Cooks Hill Surf Club received a boost in funding this morning when they were presented with a $182, 000 cheque from the State Government.

President, Richard Hermens met with Parliamentary Secretary of the Hunter, Scot MacDonald at the Club this morning to welcome the cheque.

He says he's extremely grateful for the funding boost which will go towards a new extension for the club.

"We're very excited about receiving the funds," he said.

"This grant will enable us to continue with the construction of a new club and will enhance our ability to provide a range of activities to the community."

Beach accessibility will be greatly improved once the building is constructed, as well.

"The new building will include a lift which will allow people with limited mobility access through [sic] the building through to the beach."

According to the President, the Club's current toilet facilities are also in desperate need of renovation.

"The disabled toilets that we had were just modified toilets at the bottom of the basement as were the women's toilets," he said.

"The building was actually built in the thirties and women weren't allowed to be members of surf clubs back in those days so it [funding] was very badly needed."

With a new building, the Club will also have more space to train their members in life saving duties.

Cooks Hill Surf Club [Image: Newcastle Herald]

Port Stephens Heritage Funding

BY TYLER FARDELL

This morning, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot Macdonald announced Port Stephen's Council will receive $24,000 for the region's heritage work.

With this funding, residents will be able to apply for small grants to help preserve and maintain local heritage works for the future.

Scot MacDonald says the funding isn't just for particular heritage projects.

"So it will go towards their advisory services, their record keeping and just assisting the community so it's not targeted at a particular heritage asset. this is more for their back office and to support all the heritage work that they do as a Council."

"Our local heritage speaks to our history, so it's important to protect, promote and celebrate it".

The funding has been welcomed by the General Manager of Port Stephens Council, Wayne Wallis, who says without funding, heritage work in the region cannot be done.

"Maintaining heritage items can be costly and as it's been said there's always the pressure to pull down and build something new. It is expensive to maintain these heritage items and the historical significance of that so providing some funding that the residents can use to maintain or restore their own properties it certainly helps to keep those heritage items on the forefront," Wallis said.

The announcement also marks the start of this year's Australian Heritage festival, which runs until the 21st of May.

Scot Macdonald and Wayne Wallis this morning at the funding announcement

Goodbye maintenance backlog in Hunter schools

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The NSW Government is finally tackling the maintenance issues plaguing some of the biggest and most backlogged schools in the Hunter.

The government announced the Hunter will receive $50 million out of a $390 million dollar project for high schools including Rutherford Technology, Irrawang, Cessnock and Hunter River High.

State-wide the estimated backlog of repairs now totals $775 million; the rather large sum down from more than $1 billion under Labor.

"Maintaining school facilities is essential to ensuring our students get the education they deserve," said Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald.

The funding is being given to schools to use for fixing roofing, floor coverings, painting and other maintenance items which will be fixed by December 2018.

"When the school's in good condition you can be proud of the school and proud of your children attending the school, and I think it all just helps good educational outcomes and the Hunter has earnt that as much as anywhere else in the state," said Scot MacDonald.

A boost for the neglected old Newcastle Post Office

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The former Newcastle Post Office is getting a much needed cash injection from the state government.

Under the Heritage Grants Program, the government are giving the Awabakal Aboriginal Land Council $150,000 to go towards stabilising the building.

The building has been in a state of disrepair for some time, and without any stabilising works will continue to fall a part and crumble.

Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Rob Russell isn't even allowed into the building to assess the damage so making it safe for inspections is a top priority.

Without the funding, the building's future was up in the air with no one sure how long the building could go without any form of stabilisation before it would've fallen further into disrepair.

"Primarily what we want to do is just have a look inside and see what damage has been done. We believe that the basement is full of water, we need to find out where that water is coming from, how much structural damage its done so yes there will need to be a fair bit of work done," said Rob Russell.

"This is a very important asset to the Aboriginal community in Newcastle. You can see its been in neglect for some time. This money will be very useful for the community in being bale to repair some of the damage that's been done through that neglect," said Rob Russell.

Scot MacDonald and Rob Russel in front of the Newcastle Post Office this morning.

The Newcastle division of the land council are now looking away from private partnerships for funding, and keeping the building as a community asset.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald says if nothing else the funding will ensure the building can be repaired to stop it from deteriorating any further.

"Looking at it now, and I'm not an expert I should say, you've got to worry that it's getting to a point where it's going to be dangerous for the people who are squatting here, or anybody that sees some sort of future use, so you can see the potential but you can also see if it isn't turned around soon then you will be looking at a dangerous condition," said Scot MacDonald.

"The community want to see this, if not restored to its former glory then at least functional. At least not being an eyesore and it is an eyesore at the moment and I don't know what that path will be."

Dispute over funding for Legal centre

BY TYLER FARDELL

The federal government has come under fire from the opposition over funding cuts to The Hunter community legal centre which come into effect July 1st this year.

Hunter Labor MP's Joel Fitzgibbon, Meryl Swanson and Sharon Claydon have criticised the funding cuts, saying the centre, which offers free legal help to those in need, "could be forced to turn away hundreds of local residents".

In addition the centre's base in Newcastle, the centre has a variety on face-to-face clinics throughout the Hunter, including ones in Cessnock, Port Stephens, Raymond Terrace and Muswellbrook.

In the last year alone, the centre provided more than 4300 people with legal assistance, however more than 13 hundred were turned away due to lack of resources.

"It's fair to say the government's proposed funding cuts will be detrimental to the centre's operation and will equate to more people in desperate need of help being turned away" said Mr Fitzgibbon.

However, the federal government has hit back at the opposition, stating funding for the centre had risen by more than 30 percent over the past six years.

Tanya Plibersek visits St Mary's Catholic College at Gateshead

BY SARAH JAMES

Deputy Leader for the Opposition Tanya Plibersek and Member for Shortland Pat Conroy visited St Mary's Catholic College in Gateshead today to see how Gonski funding has benefited schools.

Schools across the Hunter region have been able to provide specialised support for students as well as employ more teachers under the Gonski scheme.

St Mary's Catholic College is one of two schools in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese which is planning to introduce Years 11 and 12 over 2018 and 2019.

The Director of Schools for the Catholic Schools Officer of the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, Dr Michael Slattery, said this extra funding is needed to provide the required resources, infrastructure and teaching staff needed to expand the school.

According to Pat Conroy, these expansions are being jeopardised by the Coalition Government's plan to cut $140 million in funding schools in the Hunter region.

Schools in the Shortland electorate are to see to miss out on $33 million of funding.

It is feared cuts to funding will result in fewer teachers and less one-on-one attention for students who require extra help with their study.

"This Government is refusing to confirm that it will fully fund years five and six of the Gonski's needs-based funding reforms as they promised to do," said Ms Plibersek.

"Under this Government, every child in every school in every system in every state will lose."

Fears for TAFE administration jobs

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Labelled by critics as an attempt to dismantle the system, the Baird government's TAFE cut announcement has left more than just teaching staff in limbo in the Hunter.

In a plan to save on administration costs, the restructure will see ten independent institutes abolished and replaced with a central entity.

The Public Service Association (PSA), which represents the workers, says the vital assistance students need will be lost as thousands of support staff jobs are cut.

PSA Assistant General Secretary Steve Turner says regional areas like the Hunter will be most effected with these TAFE colleges helping develop young people and re-train those wanting to re-enter the workforce.

"Administrative staff are very important for the running of TAFE, they give students support, they give teachers support, classrooms support. They say they want to improve something and yet they're cutting the very staff that do those improvements."

Under the Baird Government's Smart and Skilled program there are already 86, 000 less students in Government funded vocational providers than in 2014, and additional reforms in 2015 raised fees by up to 81% which also drove students away.

"This is part of an announcement by a minister to try and grapple with the failure of the system that they've rolled out. They've rolled out Smart and Skilled to try and improve TAFE but all its done is put TAFE into contestability with private providers who run a leaner machine who run for profit. You can't put tertiary education into a profit model."

Christmas has come early for Port Stephens community groups

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Community groups in Port Stephens have had all their Christmases come at once, with local council formalising more than $850, 000 in funding for community projects.

Service clubs, environmental groups, sports clubs and church groups were among the successful applicants with the funding enabling them to continue to run events and programs important to the community.

Mayor of Port Stephens Bruce Mackenzie says the local government is rewarding the efforts of the community he couldn't be happier.

"For me Port Stephens is an example of local government working with the people, rewarding the people for their efforts right throughout the length and breadth of the local government area and I'm just so happy that we're in a financial position to be able to do that."

The mayor has raised concerns however, that if the proposed amalgamation with Newcastle goes ahead, the important community groups could be left behind.

"It's probably the last time Port Stephens will be making those allocations to the people and I would imagine that especially if we amalgamate with Newcastle, those organisations will see peanuts in the future where we last night gave them gold because we appreciate the volunteers and the people that put in efforts beyond the call of duty."

It was also announced that the proceeds of the sale of a new housing block at Tarrant Road in Salamander Bay, will also be endorsed to go towards unfunded projects totalling  $660, 000.