Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, Chris Hartcher said today John Della Bosca had displayed how irrelevant he is as Minister for the Central Coast, after he gained funding for staff, for a fire station that doesn’t exist.

“John Della Bosca was successful in acquiring funding out of the $10.4 million allocated for new staff at Fire Stations in NSW including Kincumber Fire Station – this would have been useful if there was in fact a Fire Station at Kincumber,” Mr Hartcher said.

“Just like last year, the Central Coast has again missed out on critical funding from the Iemma Government to deliver on 2007 election promises – but this time we’ve got money for services that don’t exist.

“To make matters worse, the Minister couldn’t secure funding for staff at the Police Station in Kincumber which was not manned for more than 10 years and is now listed for sale with a local real estate agent, estimated to fetch only $330,000 instead of the $1.2 million it cost to build.

“And Kariong residents have been lied to yet again in this Budget - Budget Paper Number 3, Volume 1, page 8-8 it states, ‘This years program provides for….. a new high school at Kariong’ but there is not a single cent allocated to build a new Kariong High School , a core promise from Labor in the lead up to the 2007 State Election.

“In fact, there is not a single dollar for any Central Coast Schools - it’s a disgrace”, said Mr Hartcher.

“ Central Coast residents have been asking the Iemma Government to provide much needed funding for a radiotherapy unit at Gosford Hospital but again the Minister for the Central Coast , John Della Bosca has failed to deliver any funding for this critical service.

“If only the Government could put two and two together and get four like the rest of us.

“If the Iemma Government sees fit to provide a Ministry for the Central Coast, Australia’s sixth fastest growing region, then provide it with a Minister that will seek appropriate funding for it or sack him and give it to a Minister that will”, said Mr Hartcher.

“The Central Coast has been handed down a Phantom Budget with a Phantom Minister.

“Minister Della Bosca must start demonstrating his commitment to the Central Coast and get his Treasurer to give more, real funding to the Central Coast .”