LABOR candidate for Bega Leanne Atkinson has hit the campaign trail, embarking on a three-day “listening tour” of the electorate last week with Heffron MP Ron Hoenig.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Atkinson and Ms Hoenig hosted an energy forum in Batermans Bay on Friday, which followed a community forum in Eden and two in Bega.
Ms Atkinson said her aim was to get a “pulse” for the community and find out what the local issues were.
The forum came after Ms Atkinson and Mr Hoenig met with Eurobodalla Shire Council general manager Catherine Dale and mayor Lindsay Brown on Friday morning.
Mr Hoenig said the most important message to come from the community at the forums was that people were not being listened to.
“The unemployment, the lack of economic investment, the lack of a government that actually cares about their future, they’re all major significant things that this area needs and they’re just not being listened to,” he said.
In regards to Labor’s action plan, Mr Hoenig said there was a range of activities that needed to be addressed.
“Firstly, cruise ships arriving in Eden - it is a substantial important economic investment that’s needed,” he said.
“We’re talking about three-and-a-half thousand passengers stepping off a ship to visit the Far South Coast, that will generate jobs.
“Creating export markets for the fishing industry is a significant thing that can be achieved right here.
“Expanded marinas for pleasure craft are not just for boat owners, but they generate considerable work for mechanics and for electricians and others, and that requires expanded, not closures, of TAFE courses for local people.”
Ms Atkinson said communities had been receptive to having an MP taking the time to listen to their concerns.
“Some people were saying they’re concerned now that the current member flies in and flies out, a number of people have said they haven’t seen him in some time and that he isn’t really taking the time here,” Ms Atkinson said.
“They’ve really appreciated having a senior member of NSW Parliament and spending significant amount of time and meeting with a whole range of stakeholders, not just coming on his own portfolio of energy and ports, but being available to talk to people about the TAFE issues, the homelessness. “That’s significant and I think that’s something that doesn’t ordinarily happen.”
Ms Atkinson was keen to talk about the state of the Princes Highway, and said it appeared there were no shovel-ready projects for improvements between Batemans Bay and Eden in the recent State Budget.
She said the state of the highway, described by Mr Hoenig as a “death trap”, was a missed opportunity for places like Batemans Bay.
“You could be attracting people here for shopping,” Ms Atkinson said.
“Whenever I’m coming from Tathra up this way, I like the idea of coming up to Batemans Bay, getting a nice seafood lunch, coming shopping and making a day of it, then I worry about driving back on that road at the end of the day.
“It’s important for the community to have a road that they feel safe on, but it’s also important to have a road that attracts people to this town.”