The centrepiece of the Labor Party’s campaign for the Gosford By-election is the $100 million Advantage Fund and Job Action Plan, launched by NSW Opposition Leader, Mr Luke Foley, on March 27.
The aim of the plan, according to Mr Foley, was to create jobs and regenerate industry in Gosford.
The Advantage Fund would be used to attract large-scale business investment, and to work with local government and local companies to build on the region’s existing strengths.
It would focus on key economic development areas including: Gosford CBD; Somersby Business Park; and, the West Gosford corridor.
At present, 30,000 people travel out of the region for work each day.
On top of that, unemployment on the Central Coast is 7.9 per cent, well above the State average and 1 in 5 young people are out of work.
Mr Foley said that a Foley Labor Government’s Plan would immediately tackle job projects long overlooked by the Liberals.
The Job Action Plan would provide $10 million, to be matched dollar for dollar by Central Coast Council, for major infrastructure work to refurbish and upgrade regional centres, improve tourism and help the 20,000 small business operators on the Coast.
Labor also pledged to help restore TAFE to give thousands of young people job skills.
“This is a well thought out Job Action Plan to attract jobs to Gosford and the Central Coast so that people have options and don’t have to travel long distances each day just to support their families,’ Mr Foley said.
“This is a $100 million fund to transform lives,” he said.
“Jobs and education are inextricably linked; and we will grow the local economy by supporting local jobs and improving services at every level.
“Our plan is comprehensive, integrated and workable from day one, but just to make sure, we’ll restore the position the Liberals got rid of, a Minister for the Central Coast,” Mr Foley said.
“The Central Coast has a lifestyle envied by many,” Labor’s By-election candidate, Ms Liesl Tesch said.
“But as a teacher, I was saddened to see so many of our young people left without job opportunities and work skills as the Liberals assaulted TAFE at every level.
“We will reverse that.
“This plan is designed to reverse years of neglect, neglect that started the day the Liberals took office six years ago.
“Labor clearly has the interests of Gosford and the Central Coast at heart as this wide-ranging plan makes clear.”
Source:
Media release,
Mar 27, 2017
Maegen Sykes,
office of Luke Foley