Ensuring job security is one of the most important things we can do. I announced last year a $50 million North Coast jobs package.
There is a group I have established to get Businesses to move to our region and look at ways to use this funding.
This will not only bring jobs to our community but will also bring money.
The Jobs Package is also open to our local businesses which are looking to grow and employ more local people.
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The duplication of the Pacific Highway reached another milestone this week when I announced the tender for the new one-kilometre-long bridge over the Richmond River at Broadwater.
The duplication between Ballina and Woolgoolga is a huge project and will greatly improve the safety of motorists, and provide about 900 indirect jobs and another 2500 indirect jobs.
These wages will go directly into our community.
To make sure local people get the lion’s share of these jobs, I have asked the Roads and Maritime Service to give me regular updates on the number of locals who have secured work on the highway.
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I will be attending the induction of Rev. Robert Griffith as the new Senior Minister for the Lismore Mission on Sunday.
Rev. Griffith, who is currently in Yamba, is married to Michelle, has five adult children and five grandchildren.
I would like to welcome Rev Griffith to our community.
