Robert Oakeshott (Lyne, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you; yes, Percy Allen. We have $100 million of infrastructure backlog in one council alone, particularly with respect to timber bridges. The member for Page, who was just in the chair, has a similar concern with respect to Kyogle council. For the North Coast, the land of valleys and hills, on the timber bridge issue we are seeing a lot of failures happen at the same time. We have high growth and a low rate basis, and this issue is just getting pushed onto local government. I have asked before about a Commonwealth timber bridge program of some sort. If it is only in areas where there is high growth and there is a low rate base, that would be something for consideration and advice.

I heard the Pacific Highway issue mentioned. I cannot let it slip by. I have lived through a 2006 commitment date from Paul Keating and John Fahey—standing up at the Tweed holding hands. I have even lived through 1999 as a commitment date and 2010 and now 2016. I would love to hear that firmly locked in. If so, there is going to have to be an increase of funding in the next couple of years to finish the job. The 50 to 60 per cent that is done is fantastic and welcomed. It is making what is left more dangerous, and that does need to be sped up.

There is the issue of aviation at the three airports in the Lyne electorate. We are getting them working together. We are getting general aviation pushed to the smaller disused airports, which is great. The RPTs going into Port Macquarie, in particular, are creating increased pressure. I know that an application that has been put before the department with regard to regional aviation. I would ask for some advice on future direction not only with respect to Commonwealth input into infrastructure at regional airports but also more generally with respect to airport infrastructure in regions throughout Australia. That is it. Thank you.

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