2023 NSW Budget benefits: School upgrades, Operation Wattle…

As we approach 2023, the NSW Budget has placed the state in a strong position for continuing growth and the delivery of vital infrastructure and services. From upgrading our local schools to improving access to childcare and creating more open space, the current budget is full of great news for the people of Manly and indeed the entire Northern Beaches. I am particularly proud of the strong investment in preventing domestic violence and supporting vulnerable women.

It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the massive $2.3 billion investment in our environment. Locally, that means a record investment in clean oceans and upgrades to local National Parks. As Environment Minister this financial year’s budget puts the environment front and centre. I am excited that local capital works expenditure includes:

• Over $6m to upgrade Manly Vale and Village Public Schools
• $5.4m to complete the Manly Young Adolescent Hospice
• $4.3m to demolish the old Aquarium and build a new public open space 
• $55.4m for improvements to the North Head Sewerage Treatment Plant to remove odour and improve capacity.

Relief for young families to retirees

The NSW Government understands that many households are finding it difficult to make ends meet in the current economic environment. Rising interest rates, increases in fuel and energy prices as well as higher costs for food are delivering challenging times. In response, the NSW Government is offering more than 70 rebates and vouchers to help save on everyday costs and more.

For young families there are $100 vouchers for Active Kids, Creative Kids and for children 3 to 6 years so they can learn to swim. There are $500 vouchers for before and after school care for primary school children but act quickly. The vouchers need to be redeemed by 31 December for services to 30 June 2023. For our seniors there are more than 60 rebates for pensioners and over 30 rebates for self-funded retirees.

To find out how you can benefit, I encourage you to visit to the Service NSW website and click on the ‘Savings Finder’. The site provides a wealth of information and can even personalise your search.

Entry upgrade to North Harbour Reserve

I am pleased to have secured funding for widening the northern entry and stairs to North Harbour Reserve from King Avenue, Balgowlah. Northern Beaches Council has called for tenders with the project to also include landscaping. It is hoped work will commence early in 2023.

North Head

As Member for Manly and Minister for the Environment and Heritage it was great to catch up with students from Balgowlah Heights Public School to help with an important conservation program on North Head. Operation Wattle is organised by Ashlea Zivanovic, consultant ecologist of Clontarf in collaboration with the Department of Planning and Environment and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The program involves replanting a threatened species of Sunshine Wattle which naturally grows on North Head. For the botanists among us, it is Acacia Terminalis subspecies Eastern Sydney. I look forward to seeing it thriving once more on our magnificent headland.