Big announcement on the cards as PM pencils in visit
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to the Shoalhaven
AN announcement that the Shoalhaven will get its long awaited cancer care centre with a linear accelerator could be made on Friday.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is planning to visit the South Coast on that day, and speculation is rife he will make the announcement.
The Prime Minister’s office confirmed yesterday that a visit to Nowra was mooted for Friday.
Mr Rudd will be in Wollongong on Friday and has pencilled in a visit to Nowra in the afternoon.
The visit has yet to be made definite but the signs are positive.
The Prime Minister is expected to announce the region has been successful in getting funds from the Commonwealth’s $580 million Cancer Care Plan.
Shoalhaven Mayor and chair of the Lions Linear Accelerator Appeal, Paul Green, said he was not aware of the Prime Minister’s visit but would be happy if it was true.
“I look forward to it,” Cr Green said.
Cr Green said he was cautiously optimistic about the pending announcement.
He added he had heard nothing but positive comments about the region’s bid for the cancer care centre.
“I have been told our bid was the best in NSW if not nationally,” he said.
“We deserve this centre.
“It would be nothing short of negligent if we do not receive it.”
The community has backed the region’s bid to get a linear accelerator and raised over $1 million, which will be used to help build the $35.4 million facility.
“Our fundraising efforts have put heart into the equation,” Cr Green said.
Federal Member for Gilmore Joanna Gash said there had always been cross-party support to get the region a cancer care centre.
Mrs Gash said the treatment centre was something she had been fighting to get for years, and she would be delighted if the Prime Minister’s rumoured visit came true and he made the funding announcement.
“[The Liberal Party] said we would get the region a linear accelerator and now it’s up to the Prime Minister to recognise the need,” she said.
Mrs Gash said she had heard the Prime Minister was planning to visit but could not get it confirmed.
The linear accelerator fundraising effort started in June 2004 and last year reached the $1 million mark.
Regular bingo events, support from the business community, events such as the Berry Celtic Festival, Berry Garden Festival and the Mayoral Ball have helped the fundraising tally rise steadily.
Local craft groups have also donated quilts to be raffled.
Donations of $2 or $100 to $25,000 from all over the Shoalhaven have been welcomed by the fundraising committee.