AN ambulance took an agonising 45 minutes to reach Harrington and treat a heart attack victim last weekend.
This was one of the distressing stories told at Wednesday's community forum in Harrington, arranged by the Nationals candidate for the Port Macquarie state by-election, Leslie Williams. Harrington lies at the southern end of the Port Macquarie electorate, where a by-election takes place on Saturday, October 18.
A young mum from Harrington told the 35 people at the forum that last weekend's incident involved a neighbour.
Twenty minutes after calling an ambulance, when it hadn't arrived, a desperate second call was made, the caller being told the ambulance had not even left Taree at that stage. The total time before help arrived was 45 minutes, it was claimed.
"The young woman became quite emotional as she relayed the story to the meeting, and it made a lot of others emotional too," Ms Williams said.
"The need for an ambulance presence in Harrington was one of the main issues from the community," she said.
The other major concern was motorist safety at the Harrington Road-Pacific Highway intersection, where there are growing calls for an overpass.
The forum was held in the Harrington Community Hall with just over two weeks to go before the by-election. Ms Williams is one of 11 candidates for the seat vacated by Rob Oakeshott when he moved into the Federal political sphere.
Among Ms Williams' guests on Wednesday were the shadow minister for roads Duncan Gay, shadow minister for primary industries and road safety Andrew Fraser, shadow minister for lands John Turner, parliamentary secretary for rural health Jenny Gardiner, duty member for Port Macquarie Melinda Pavey and Greater Taree City mayor Paul Hogan.
Mr Fraser raised a 'first response' program as a possible interim measure to the ambulance issue as it continues to be debated at a higher level.
"It was pointed out that Harrington has a number of people trained in first aid, resuscitation etc, by the Crowdy Head Surf Club, and these might be able to be called on as a first response in case of emergencies.
"It would certainly be better than nothing," Ms Williams said.
The meeting had before it a letter from the newly appointed NSW roads minister Michael Daley advising that overpasses would be included in the Pacific Highway upgrade for the small villages of Moorland, Johns River and Kew.
"While these communities are deserving of such amenities, the question might be asked 'why not Harrington?'," Ms Williams said.
"The letter from the minister points out that an overpass is considered not warranted at the Harrington intersection yet.
"But that begs the question 'when will it be warranted?"
Dredging of the river entrance and backwater at Harrington was again a hot topic among the community, as was direct access to waterways by the general public, particularly the elderly.
Those attending were encouraged to watch for the release shortly of the Draft Management Plan for the new Harrington State Park, and to make submissions.
Ms Williams reassured the community members that if elected, she would consider it a privilege to serve her constituents in the southern part of the electorate, who are sometimes overlooked by the sheer weight of numbers from the bigger centres like Port Macquarie.
"I come from a smaller community myself and I know what it is like to play second fiddle to larger towns, but if elected I would be readily available to everyone.
"I would plan to visit Harrington on a regular basis and make myself available, say at the community hall, for anyone who wants to talk with me."
She described Wednesday's forum as "a good starting point".
Ms Williams and other candidates will have the chance to talk with Harrington area residents at a Meet the Candidate night next Wednesday at 8pm at Harrington Bowling Club.
At least eight of the 11 candidates have indicated they will attend the forum, organised by Harrington Resident Action Group.
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