Port Stephens MLC, Catherine Cusack has replied to Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington’s claim funding for an upgrade to the Tea Gardens Police Station had been slashed from $1M to $117,000 next financial year.
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Ms Washington has incorrectly told her community only $117,000 was allocated in the recent budget for the Tea Gardens Police Station upgrade, Ms Cusack said.
“Ms Washington has muddled up the $117,000 allocation for planning and design with the actual $1M project cost.”
Projects are cash flowed over time, Ms Cusack said.
So the money in the first year is just the funds needed for that part of the project, she said.
For Tea Gardens Police Station the rest of the money will be paid to contractors early in the next financial year when the project finishes, she said.
“(Ms Washington) is confusing, bewildering and alarming her own constituents with incorrect information.
“The Tea Gardens Police station issue is particularly frustrating.
“First we had false claims the station was closing – which upset the community.
“Ms Washington’s next step was to say she saved the police station - even though it was never under threat.
“Your local police and the station are valued, secure and the upgrade is going ahead as promised.”
