Press Releases
Wednesday 16th August 2006
Artificial Reef Group (CCARP) To Meet With PM
The Central Coast Artificial Reef Project (CCARP) is set to meet with Prime Minister John Howard to on Wednesday 23 August. CCARP is lobbing for the HMAS Canberra to come to NSW and the Central Coast, a move supported by both local Federal MP’s, Ken Ticehurst and Jim Lloyd.
Spokesperson for CCARP, Sue Dengate said. “Both Jim Lloyd and Ken Ticehurst support the ship coming to the Central Coast and next week’s visit by the Prime Minister is a perfect opportunity for our local members and CCARP to argue our case.”
“It has been almost a month since the State Government submitted a business case which was requested by the Defence Minister. However, other states were also asked to submit, so we are worried that this ship will go elsewhere.”
“We already know that if the ship is gifted to NSW that it will come to the Central Coast, that’s on the public record in State Parliament.”
“We are obviously anxious to know what’s happening, we hope the Prime Minister will support Ken Ticehurst and Jim Lloyd and give the Ship to NSW.”
“Both Victoria and Western Australia have registered interest, but these State’s have already received ships.”
“Victoria were given a submarine and half a million dollars in Federal funding five years ago and they still haven’t bothered to do anything with it, and now they want another one!”
“Western Australia has already been gifted two ships and both are operating as dive sites off the Western Australian coast, to get another one would just be greedy.”
“Therefore, as NSW is the only state that hasn’t been gifted a ship, the fair decision should be that the Central Coast is the recipient of this wonderful ship.”
Central Coast residents should write to the Defence Minister Brendan Nelson (Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600) to make sure the ship comes to the Central Coast.
“The more support we can gather the harder it will be for the Federal Government to say no to the people of the Central Coast.”
For further information or to arrange an interview, please call Sue Dengate on: Ph. 0417 028286
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