NEWS Of The Area’s coverage of local concerns continues this week following a meeting with the Tomaree branch of the Labor Party.

Labor’s Tomaree branch president Heather Letham said that their last meeting involved discussions around candidates for the September council elections.

“We have a combined branch representative Municipal Committee who will be making recommendations on candidates who we will support,” Ms Letham said.

“Branch members work hard throughout the year especially during elections.”

Labor’s Tomaree Branch sees funding cuts to services as one of the biggest challenges facing local residents.

Ms Letham said Nelson Bay road was a particular concern.

“The branch wants to highlight the growing problems and capacity on sections of the NSW Government controlled Nelson Bay Road, Ms Letham said.

Apart from “adequate funding for roads and schools”, Ms Letham, the branch is also “vigorously opposed” to high rise developments in Nelson Bay.

Ms Letham said that local issues were always high on the agenda at a State, Federal and local level.

“We target local issues . . . that affect our residents including support to mental health forums, aged care forums, support to the Yacaaba Centre, and Williamtown contamination issues.”

Sensible development and building heights, funding to save koala habitats and condemnation of Centrelink’s debt recovery system were other areas of focus.

The party has been active on the Nelson Bay Peninsula since the mid 1960s.

The branch meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Nelson Bay Diggers.

Heather Letham has been president for the past three years.

 

By Jo FINN