Poor public transport, crime and poverty in Maitland’s western suburbs were three issues business operators and residents raised with Labor candidate for Paterson Meryl Swanson this week.
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Georgina Grine from McKeachies Corner cafe organised the meeting with Ms Swanson who said she would take on board the concerns of western suburbs residents and act on them if elected at the July 2 federal election.
Ms Grine has been asking customers about their concerns in their neighbourhood and said she received good feedback from them regarding many issues.
Ms Grine said the suburbs of McKeachies Run and Aberglasslyn were fast growing and in dire need of improved public transport.
“My son goes to Maitland High School and if he wants a bus to school he has to go to a stop along the New England Highway. Public transport is a pretty big issue up here,” she said.
She also said petty crime in the west was a growing problem and suggested more activities for the area’s youth.
Ms Grine said a story in Fairfax Media this week about the growing number of people in Maitland who need help feeding their families and to pay for utilities also alarmed her and said more government funding needed to be channeled into organisations like Maitland Neighbourhood Centre.
Another business operator at the meeting, The Bradford Hotel’s general manager Justin Harris said he also saw a need for more public transport and the development of more sporting fields for the area’s youth.
A former detective, Mr Harris agreed crime such as vandalism was an increasing problem, however he said local police can only stretch their resources so far.
“We realise that some of these issues are state related but Ms Swanson was very receptive, happy to listen and took everything on board,” Mr Harris said.
“There is a problem in the west with a lack of infrastructure.
“The area is growing quickly and we need more sporting fields, better transport links and government backing for those families who are finding it hard to make ends meet as a result of retrenchments,” Mr Harris said.
