Lee Evans MPMEMBER FOR HEATHCOTE

Community Newsletter – June 2016

THE HEATHCOTE HERALDfrom

At this busy time of year, with the federal election just

past, we are all feeling bombarded with information

however I thought this might be the right time to let

my constituents know what has been happening at a

state level in the Heathcote community.

In this edition I would like to draw attention to some

local community groups successful in achieving

funding grants such as the Engadine Gymnastics

Club who were very excited to receive $10,000

through the Local Sport Grant program for an

upgrade of equipment. Also to a local small business

who has been chosen from our “Small Business

Big Impact” Initiative to feature in this issue of the

Heathcote Herald.

As far as infrastructure, the first project in the $300

million Southern Gateway Pinch Point Program

commenced at Alfords Point. The focus of this

program is to free up those southern pinch points

that catch all road commuters in peak hour. I am very

excited that after decades of neglect we will finally

receive some relief on our roads.

The “Eyes on Heathcote” photo competition is

being held again and I encourage all budding

photographers to “get snapping” and submit their

photos of our iconic Heathcote Electorate. The winner

of the competition will have their photo published in

my newsletter and have a print installed in both my

Parliamentary and electorate offices as well as being

invited to dine at Parliament House as my guest.

Finally, the Healthy Heathcote 90 Day Challenge is

at its end and those who participated are reporting

that simple changes in their lifestyle made a huge

difference to their health.

I trust you will enjoy my mid-year Heathcote Herald.

Finally, the Healthy Heathcote 90 Day Challenge is

2016 Local Sport Grant Program

Helensburgh Off Road Cycle Club Ins Purchase club trailer $7,500

Sutherland District Cricket Club Inc Upgrade cricket pitch at Sutherland Oval $20,000

Engadine Dragons JRLFC Upgrade canteen facilities at Anzac Oval $4,500

Helensburgh Tigers RLFC Purchase team uniforms $4,000

Engadine Gymnastics Club Inc Purchase vaulting equipment $10,000

Miranda Australian Football Club Purchase goal post protective pads $2,000

St Patrick’s Cricket Club Purchase training equipment $2,000

Local Sport Grants are a new round of grants for sporting organisations for equipment and capital works. Congratulations to the organisations that were successful this year. The Sports Grants are worth $50,000 in total aiming to increase regular and on-going participation opportunities in sport and active recreation in NSW. The NSW Government is committed to delivering the best infrastructure to the people of NSW and I look forward to seeing the benefits of these upgrades for the community.

Successful applicants for 2016 are:

2016 Community Building PartnershipApplications for 2016 Community Building Partnership Program close on Friday 22 July. I encourage any not-for-profit group looking to fund a project that builds or refurbishes essential facilities for our community to ensure their application is completed.

The Community Building Partnership grants are a great opportunity for the local community to apply for funds for the building, refurbishment or enhancement of facilities for local not-for-profits such as charities and sporting, social and environmental groups.

2015 successful applicants were:

1st Bangor Scouts Replace kitchen facilities $8,000

Waterfall Public School P&C Association Get Out and Play equipment $29,550

Project Youth Inc Cafe Y upgrade $17,000

Heathcote High School P & C Association Heathcote High school gym conversion to community all weather facility $9,272

Civic Disability Services Limited Day program facilities upgrade for people with disability $19,072

Wollongong City Council Installation of DDA Compliant Access for Helensburgh Pool $10,000

Anglican Church Sutherland Improve facilities for people with disability $11,408

KU Sutherland Preschool Undercover learning area $9,623

Helensburgh Cricket Club Inc Cricket Net Development $16,500

Heathdene Community Pre-school Play space and landscape upgrade $32,670

Engadine Preschool Kindergarten Weather and UV Protection for Veranda Area $20,000

Engadine High School P & C Association Support Unit Life skills Room $10,905

Small Business – Big ImpactThe “Small Business – Big Impact” initiative highlights the support many small businesses in the Heathcote Electorate offer in various ways to the local community. They quietly support local schools, community groups and charities and now you have the opportunity to nominate a business that is an integral part of your local community.

“Switched On Mechanical” is a small independent automotive mechanical work shop that has supported our local community time and again. Just in the last 12 months they have made donations of prizes to a number of local groups including:

Helensburgh Tigers Cricket Club, Holy Cross School Fete, Cancer Council Daffodil Day, Otford Public School Fair and the Helensburgh Lions Club Fair to name a few.

Small business is the backbone of our economy comprising 96 percent of all businesses in NSW and employing more than 1.5 million people. The NSW Government established the Office of the Small Business Commissioner to support small business at every stage of the business cycle from start-up to succession planning and every step in between.

For more information contact the Office of the NSW Small Business Commissioner’s Small Biz Connect service on 1300 134 359.

Loftus P & C Grant Woronora War Memorial Grant

Loftus Public School Parents and Citizens Association (P & C) approached me towards the end of last year with a request to support their efforts in upgrading their school’s outdated facilities.

After working closely with Loftus P&C I was able to secure a grant for $30,000 from the NSW Government and was thrilled to present the funds to the Principal Pam Walmsley. My efforts were assisted by the overwhelming support of the local school community who presented me with a petition signed by more than 100 families.

The previous Labor Government left behind a school infrastructure and maintenance backlog liability of almost $1 billion. Since 2011, the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has invested more than $4 billion with a 23 percent increase in capital investment in 2015/16.

During a recent visit to the electorate by Minister for Veterans Affairs David Elliott I introduced him to members of the Woronora River RSL Sub-Branch. They discussed a need for funding to assist with repairs to water damage to the War Memorial. The local community showed their support for the project and I was pleased to secure a $10,000 grant from the NSW Government in support.

Quality Teaching, Successful StudentsBangor Public School has used additional needs-based funding, made possible by NSW signing up to the Gonski agreement, to improve student outcomes. The school received $370,000 in additional needs-based funding in 2014-16.

The funding has been used to develop and prepare individual learning plans and to meet with parents to discuss student goals. The school is also working with Aboriginal elders to support students in school.

The school has used needs-based funding to engage a School Learning Support Officer to support students requiring academic, behaviour and emotional wellbeing assistance.

Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli visited the school recently and commended teachers working closely together to improve student learning. He congratulated the school on the improved results in reading, writing and numeracy achieved by students in Years 3 and 5.

Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli visited the school recently and commended teachers working closely together to

Pam Walmsley. My efforts were assisted by the overwhelming support of

Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters urge our community to replace their smoke alarms

Contact Lee Evans MP Member for HeathcoteA Shops 1 & 2, 17-23 Station Street, Engadine NSW 2233 M PO Box 536, Engadine NSW 2233 P (02) 9548 0144 F (02) 9548 5639 E heathcote@parliament.nsw.gov.au W leeevansheathcote.com.auAuthorised by Lee Evans MP, Shops 1 & 2, 17-23 Station Street, Engadine NSW 2233. Printed by A1 Design & Print, 267 The Boulevarde, Miranda NSW 2228 using parliamentary entitlements.

2015 winning photo by Phil Roberts of Coalcliff Rockpool

The annual “Eyes on Heathcote” photo competition is now open.

I invite residents of the Heathcote Electorate to send in a photograph of whatever you love most about our local area. Winners will be treated to lunch or dinner in the Members Dining Room in Parliament House and a canvas print of their artwork will be displayed in my parliament and electorate offices.

Entries for this year’s competition close on 31 August and the winner will be announced in the next issue of the Heathcote Herald. Entries must be submitted in high resolution (300 DPI) jpeg format and emailed to our office with “Eyes on Heathcote” as the subject. Please include your name, address and best contact phone number. 2015 winning photo by Phil Roberts of Coalcliff Rockpool

2016 “Eyes On Heathcote” Photo Competition

Discussion of proposed 2016 Biodiversity

Conservation Bill with local residents

James Pullin receives his NSW SES Life Member Award

Launch of the Sutherland Shire

Business ChamberBusiness Chamber

Kookaburra Kids receive $10,000

discretionary grant from Minister John Ajaka

Todd Rogers President of the Engadine Chamber

Pleased to sponsor Heathcote High School students Emmett and Caitlin for the 40th Annual Sutherland Shire Mayoral Debutante Charity Ball

Minister for Veterans Affairs David Elliott

presents a grant of $1,500 to Engadine RSL

Sub Branch for the restoration of Waterfall

Station World War I Roll of Honour