There was an unusual focus on the regions in the NSW Budget handed down today.
Regional Minister Tara Moriarty said Tuesday’s budget was part of a plan to provide better services to people regardless of where in the state they lived.
“This budget is a blueprint for how we will build a better NSW and strengthen regional communities,” she said.
More than 3.2 million people already live in regional NSW, and the government wants more to move, pouring money into infrastructure to support extra homes and services.
The state will chip in $85 million, combining with local council contributions for a total investment of $201.9 million, for fast-tracked infrastructure in growth areas.
New and upgraded schools around the regions will receive $1.4 billion, including $4.2m for upgrades at:
- Armidale City Public School
- Ashford Central School
- Woolomin Public School
- Tamworth High School
- Niangala Public School
- Tenterfield High School
- Rocky River Public School
Elsewhere, $15 million in improvements to airstrips and $5 million in economic development support for Indigenous businesses and organisations will come out of the fund, which will receive an extra $50 million.
The budget also allocates $196.5 million to continue the redevelopment of regional hospitals including Moree, Gunnedah and Glen Innes. $274.7 million is being invested to boost staffing at new and upgraded hospitals including at Glen Innes.
A whopping $44.5b has been allocated to road building and repairs in regional areas, particularly for flood damaged areas. In the New England and surrounds this includes:
- Roads and infrastructure to better enable transport of Renewable Energy Zone components will receive $128.5 million for upgrades;
- $92.5m to continue construction on the Newell Highway Heavy Duty Pavement Program including the provision of five additional overtaking lanes between Narrabri and Moree
- $868.4 million for New England Highway upgrades including construction planning work for the Goonoo Goonoo Road upgrade in Tamworth; and,
- $21.3 million for safety improvements on Waterfall Way.
Other funding includes a record invetment in TAFE, boosted investment in domestic violence services, $200 million for improved digital connectivity, $13 million targeting feral pigs and pest management amid funding aimed at other biosecurity threats, and $80,000 to expand community transport services in the Liverpool Plains.
And the Rail Trail people will likely be claiming some kind of victory in the issue that never ends, with another $80,000 set aside for an adaptive bike trail.
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