DEVELOPING big-ticket infrastructure projects across the largest seat in the State has been the biggest measure of success for Barwon MP Kevin Humphries in his second term, but there’s one election commitment he hasn’t been able to tick off – daylight saving.
Narrabri Hospital’s $38 million redevelopment, stage two of the Moree bypass – worth $15m and due to be completed in 2016 – and the upgrades of the Walgett and Moree police stations, were major achievements for the Nationals member.
Significant investments in the electorate included $130m for road infrastructure, $16m for Aboriginal housing, and more than $1.8m for teacher housing.
Natural disasters hit the electorate hard, with the 2010 Coonamble floods, 2011-12 major floods affecting the entire North West, the 2012-13 Warrumbungles fires, and the current drought, which has stretched for more than two years in most of the electorate.
“Just about every year, I’ve had a flood, fire or drought and sometimes we’ve had all three at once,” Mr Humphries said.
“Floods historically cause the most damage, but we were able to provide $30m in road infrastructure for natural disasters.”
Daylight saving was the major commitment Mr Humphries couldn’t manage, and he said it was still a work in progress.
“I like daylight saving in summer, but it just goes one month too long,” he said.
“That’s something we’ll continue to push in the next term.”
The next 12 months will be focused on increasing services with more police, nurses and teachers, along with developing the native vegetation laws and creating policy around natural resource management.
With both those issues, property rights will come first, Mr Humphries said.
“Whether its with native vegetation or the right to say no to mining companies, property rights is the number one issue for me in creating those policies.
“We want to solve the issues around mining and coal seam gas, and we’ll continue to work with the community and industry to make sure what happens is safe and that everyone benefits.
“What you can be sure of, is there’ll be places where this industry can go and places where it can’t.”
