As Member for North Sydney, Joe Hockey works closely with the community to improve services for local residents.  A large part of his work is assisting individual residents and local businesses with federal issues such as immigration, social security, aged care, taxation, superannuation, small business and Medicare.  Joe also supports local community organisations – like local sporting clubs, seniors groups, services assisting those in need or veterans’ organisations.

By working with and for the community Joe has been successful in delivering results for the North Sydney electorate.  Some of his recent activities include:

Protecting Sydney Harbour’s foreshores

The former submarine base HMAS Platypus at Neutral Bay will become a great community asset on the Harbour foreshore as a result of Joe’s efforts.  He convinced the Australian Government not to sell the site for housing but instead to transfer the property to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.  The Trust will soon commence decontamination of the site and the preparation of plans to open it to the public.

Better Schools

North Sydney is home to many of Sydney’s best public and private schools.  Joe works closely with local principals and parents for our schools.  He has helped ensure more funding for local schools such as over $2 million from the Investing in our Schools program and federal funding for new classrooms at Lane Cove West Public School and North Sydney Boys High.

Fighting to protect our local heritage

Joe has supported residents fighting to ensure the protection of our local heritage.

In 2007 Joe worked with the Friends of Graythwaite to develop a Commonwealth proposal to save this site from the NSW Labor government’s plans to sell what is one of our area’s most significant heritage estates.  The plan was a breakthrough in efforts to save Graythwaite.

Joe has also worked with Hunters Hill Council to save the historic Priory in Gladesville.  As a result of the campaign to save the Priory the property has now been transferred to Hunters Hill Council to become a great local community asset.

Protecting our Local Environment

Joe works with local Councils and the community to secure funding for local environment projects.  For example, Joe helped gain grants for Bushcare Groups working in Boronia Park and at Cremorne Point and funding to recycle water at the North Sydney Community Centre. 

Improving Local Health Care

Joe has campaigned for a better deal for the Royal North Shore Hospital.  He has also worked to secure better medical services such as through Medicare funded MRI services at the Mater and for a new $3.5 million P.E.T. scanner for Royal North Shore.

Helping Volunteer Groups
The North Sydney electorate is home to many volunteer organisations that work to help the community. Joe has worked hard to secure grants for many of these organisations to support their efforts. For example, he recently announced support for 15 volunteer groups to assist them buy equipment that will improve their service delivery.

Lane Cove Tunnel Filtration

Joe has campaigned for the full filtration of the Lane Cove Tunnel.  He has been working with local Councils and the community to try and convince the State Government to reverse its opposition to filtration so that local residents are not affected by Tunnel emissions. 

Even the small things make a difference…

No problem is too big or small for Joe Hockey.  When residents of Huntleys Point came to him asking for improved mail services, Joe convinced Australia Post to install a new post box in the suburb so that residents do not have to walk long distances to lodge their mail.  A new Post Box was commissioned in early 2005.