Dec2013_NEWS from SEATH HOLSWICH MP
State Member for Pine Rivers
Christmas Greetings
My family and I would like to take this opportunity to wish the readers of the Dayboro Grapevine a very happy Christmas. I hope you each enjoy the festive season and that you have the opportunity to spend time with the people who really matter in your life. It has been my pleasure to serve our community again in 2013 and I look forward to another fantastic year in 2014.
Office Hours – Christmas/New Year
The Pine Rivers Electorate Office will be closed from close of business Friday 20th December and will re-open on Monday 6th January. During that time, if you need to contact the office, we will still be checking emails periodically, so please email me at pine.rivers@parliament.qld.gov.au
Mount Mee Road
A number of people have recently contacted my office raising concerns about the reconstruction project on Mount Mee Rd. I appreciate that residents have been living with constant roadworks and temporary traffic signals for nearly three years.
By way of background, the Department of Transport & Main Roads (TMR) North Coast Region experienced damage to more than 200 sites on over 20 roads as a result of natural disaster events between 2010 and 2012. A further 200 sites required emergency repairs in 2013 with a number of sites requiring additional repairs.
Work to reconstruct sites damaged in 2011 on Mount Mee Road was completed in May 2013. Reconstruction works involved stabilisation of slopes, pavement and culvert replacement, drainage repairs, and protection of the slopes and drainage channels.
However, Mount Mee Road was again affected by flooding and heavy rainfall in early 2013 with slope instability near Ocean View Road.
Designs for long-term repairs on roads impacted by the 2013 flood events are being finalized and all tenders will go to market by the end of the year. Construction should start in the second quarter of 2014.
Due to the sheer complexity and number of damaged sites across the state, work is being undertaken over several years, which I appreciate can be frustrating for those who use Mount Mee Road.
In addition to the current work required on Mount Mee Road, I met recently with staff from TMR and Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning to discuss the long term needs of both Mount Mee Road and Dayboro Road.
In early 2014 I will be undertaking extensive community consultation to determine the greatest needs along both these roads. I will then be working with the departments to put together a long term prioritised action list that I can use to fight for additional funding for these roads. I hope you will provide input to that process.
Whilst the inconvenience will unfortunately be a reality for some time yet, the end outcome will be a significantly improved road.
‘Take My Seat’ Wheelchair Challenge
The ‘Take My Seat’ Challenge was an initiative of the Spinal Injuries Association to raise awareness and funds for their work. I spent half a day navigating the Brisbane CBD in a wheelchair in order to truly understand the difficulties associated with spinal injuries and using a wheelchair for mobility. This was an eye-opening experience because the tasks that challenged me most were the ones that I ordinarily consider straight forward and barely give a second thought. Trying to pull a door open towards me and then manoeuvre through the door made me feel completely helpless and reaching across the counter at a newsagency to purchase a chocolate bar was a major effort.
The benefit for an MP in taking part in experiences such as ‘Take My Seat’, and the reason I have committed to regularly spending “a day in the life of” various sections of our community, is that it has given me a new understanding of some of the issues that need to be addressed in Pine Rivers.
In recent weeks I’ve had a couple of issues raised with me concerning local accessibility issues. Having now having undertaken the ‘Take My Seat’ challenge, I would certainly welcome local residents contacting me about local accessibility issues that need to be addressed.
As a community we have a responsibility to consider the accessibility needs of everyone in our community. I know the ‘Take My Seat’ experience will help me to be able to better represent those members of the Pine Rivers community who don’t have the luxury of only spending half a day in a wheelchair, but for whom a wheelchair provides mobility every single day.
To read my full opinion-piece on this rewarding experience, please visit my website and subscribe to my regular newsletter.
Ph: 3205 6779
Facebook: facebook.com/SeathHolswichMP
