Ryan Park

Today, Shadow Minister for the Illawarra Ryan Park is joined by Labor Candidate for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart to inspect infrastructure in National Parks and Wildlife Service walking tracks along the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area.

Mr Park says walking tracks in the Illawarra and Heathcote areas are in desperate need of upgrading with infrastructure such as walkways, signage and stairways ageing badly and falling into disrepair.

According to Mr Park, walking tracks along the Illawarra Escarpment are popular amongst the local community and are attracting visiting enthusiasts who are seeking walking experiences in the surrounds of Sydney.

The call for investment comes after years of neglect by the Liberal government for national parks infrastructure in the Illawarra and Heathcote areas. Mr Parks says improving walking tracks will protect our natural assets and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors.

Walking tracks in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area are iconic and have the potential to be a significant tourism drawcard for Heathcote and the Illawarra Region. According to Mr Park, Illawarra walking tracks have broad appeal to interest groups locally and nationally, offering a world class walking experience.

Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for the Illawarra Ryan Park:

“Here in Coalcliff at the entrance to the stunning Forest Walk, you don’t have to look far to see the impact of years of neglect by this government towards our national parks.”

“This government has pledged millions of dollars to upgrade walking tracks in national parks in Sydney including the Royal National Park, Port Stephens, Tweed-Byron, on the Macleay Valley Coast and the South Coast. We want our fair share here in the Illawarra.”

“This government has failed to invest in national parks in the Illawarra, depriving us of the resources needed to maintain walking tracks, despite splashing money around in neighbouring regions.”

“Walking in our national parks is a great way to get active outdoors and enjoy time with your family. It is critical to the safety of bushwalkers that the infrastructure is up to scratch, well maintained and fit for purpose.”

NSW Shadow Treasurer, Ryan Park MP, has called on the government to agree to urgent bipartisan action to address the current crisis of the growing wild deer population in the Illawarra.

NSW Labor will introduce real-time monitoring in pharmacies to reduce the number of people dying from prescription drug overdoses – a policy supported by both doctors and pharmacists.

Shadow Minister for the Illawarra Ryan Park has called on the NSW Government to approve Wollongong City Council to be an eligible Council to use the Affordable Housing planning legislation (SEPP 70).

The Berejiklian Government is asking its departments to identify which assets can be sold off, as it pushes ahead with its privatisation agenda and leaves NSW with less money in the long-term.

Shadow NSW Treasurer Ryan Park said we need to be wary of how the Berejiklian government

interprets the detail on the Productivity Commission’s report into the GST.

Opposition Leader Luke Foley has today delivered his Budget in Reply Speech in the NSW Parliament and used the opportunity to again reiterate Labor’s commitment to the Illawarra Jobs Action Plan.

The state government has announced that they will spend $6 billion over the next four years building schools and upgrading existing ones. However not one single project is in the Keira electorate.

The Member for Keira, Mr Ryan Park formally met with Minister for Family and Community Services Pru Goward to discuss his concerns surrounding child neglect in the Illawarra and across NSW.

Shadow Treasurer Ryan Park has accused the Berejiklian Government of continuing its reckless splurge on consultants after contract details revealed an external consultant was hired to develop a ‘strategic plan’ for the Office of Environment and Heritage.