[Greens-Media] Greens seek funding boost for Penrith community transport scheme

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE - 31 May 2010 - Penrith candidate Suzie Wright and
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon

Greens seek funding boost for Penrith community transport scheme

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon and Penrith by-election candidate Suzie Wright
are calling on the NSW government to boost funding for the
not-for-profit Great Community Transport scheme which assists people
with disabilities, the frail aged and their carers to get to and from
hospital, medical and other appointments in the Penrith and Blue
Mountains regions.

This morning Ms Rhiannon and Ms Wright met with Manager Helen Walker
and Chairperson Ann Murray to listen to their concerns and plan a
campaign to boost funding (photo available on request).

Greens candidate for the Penrith by-election Suzie Wright said,

“Penrith suffers from a transport drought and the Great Community
Transport service is starved of funding.

“The rough terrain in some of our suburbs means access to transport is
really difficult for people who are frail aged, using a wheelchair or
living with a disability.

”Volunteers, who often use their own vehicles, are the lifeblood of
this community transport scheme and rising fuel costs risks leaving
volunteers out of pocket. This is leading to dwindling numbers of
volunteer workers.

“With an aging population the demand for flexible and innovative
transport solutions is growing while funding has failed to keep pace.

“Without smart solutions like local community transport which uses
small vehicles and buses, many in our community can’t meet medical
appointments or engage with their community,” Ms Wright said.

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said,

"The Greens will be campaigning both in and outside of Parliament to
increase funding to this community service which gets people with
disabilities, the frail aged and their carers to medical appointments,
the shops and other essential places.

“The transport scheme, run by volunteer and paid staff and servicing
250,000 residents, receives a grab bag of funding from NSW departments
including health, transport, aging and community services.

“Funding for this valuable service has recently dried up while an
ageing population is seeing greater demand.

“Programs funded by HACC are key to people being able to stay living
at home. They help people stay out of expensive hospitals and nursing
homes, increasing their quality of life and saving taxpayers money,”
Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information
Lee Rhiannon – 0427 861 568
Suzie Wright – 0468 832 356
www.nsw.greens.org.au/penrith



-- 
Lee Rhiannon
Greens NSW MP
0427 861 568