Narracan MP Gary Blackwood’s name will have a lot more meaning for residents in the east of the Cardinia Shire if he’s returned at the 29 November State Election. The Seat of Narracan will take in the towns of Bunyip, Garfield, Tynong and Nar Nar Goon following changes to election boundaries. He spoke to BEN CAMERON about what he’s learnt about the areas so far.
Were there any thoughts of not re-contesting? Or was it a case of unfinished business?
I was always keen to go again. There are some things that I would love to deliver while I have the opportunity. One of those is a new West Gippsland Hospital between Warragul and Drouin, we’re working towards building a hospital on the 57-acre site. It’s a much larger than the current hospital. The current demands on the current hospital is a battle for them to manage.
Big news for areas such as Bunyip, Garfield and Tynong?
Absolutely, the catchment area takes in a lot of that area, there’s currently 1000 babies being born here each year, and some of those do come as far away as Pakenham. We’re lobbying for more funding for a business case on the new site.
What have you learnt about these areas which now come into Narracan?
I have been working with a number of community groups already in that new area like the Bunyip Soccer Club, they’ve got some real desires to have some new change rooms at the grounds. I’ve advanced that case to the Minister for Sport for them and we’ll keep working on that.
Have there been any positive signs they might be successful?
Not anything that I can really hang our hat on at this stage. I don’t want to give people false hope, the real positive signs I’ve seen so far is that I’ve met with the Cardinia Shire on this particular issue as well to make sure that project was one of their key priorities, and it certainly is. They’re certainly ready to co-fund that project on that site. Which gives me a really good position to argue from with the minister, so those discussions have started and if re-elected those discussions will continue.
What is the latest on the potential quarry in North Bunyip? Do you share the residents’ frustrations?
I’ve met with residents a couple of times. I convened a meeting here with people from the department of energy and the residents. I’m happy to advance that case to the Minister at the appropriate time to try and make sure that an Environmental Effects Statement is carried out. But we could be 18 months to two years from that outcome. I share their concern, they’ve been in limbo now for a long time, those residents. It was back in 2009 when they first engaged with the quarry people, I share some concerns with them about the time that’s elapsed since they were first alerted about the proposal. What I’m trying to do is link that group up more formally with the Hanson group, so they can have some meaningful discussion. We’re in the process of trying to bring that together.
What other local issues have come to light?
I’ve met with the committee that manage the Bunyip Medical Centre and they’re keen to expand the centre. They’re about to employ an extra doctor. They need more room. They’re looking to undertake an $80,000 expansion of the centre. They’ve asked if I can help them get some government funding (around $50,000) for that. I’ve written to the Minister for Health and had a response from him and he suggested we look at the Putting Locals First program which is under the Regional Growth Fund which we can explore. As the State Government doesn’t have much responsibility with private medical practices like Bunyip Medical Centre we might be able to make an approach to the Federal Government as well through Russell Broadbent, but we’re definitely pursuing that.
