New Agreement to Boost Regional NSW
The NSW Government and Regional Cities NSW today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to guide strategic partnerships between the Government and regional city councils.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro and Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock signed the MoU alongside Regional Cities NSW chair Councillor Col Murray at Parliament House today.
Mr Barilaro said the agreement will foster State and local government cooperation, idea sharing and discussion of emerging issues facing regional cities.
“We’re seeing the delivery of a number of projects across the regions thanks to the $1.7 billion Regional Growth Fund - infrastructure that grows economies and improvements that brighten everyday life in regional towns,” Mr Barilaro said.
“But I know many regional communities are doing it tough and the drought is not likely to break in the foreseeable future, which is why water security and connecting communities are my key priorities.
“We have dedicated Ministers for Agriculture, Western NSW, Water, Regional Youth and Regional Transport, supported by the new Department of Planning, Industry and Environment which will deliver practical solutions for individual towns and cities.” Mrs Hancock said working collaboratively with Regional Cities NSW, the Deputy Premier and the heads of key NSW Government agencies will deliver strong, secure and sustainable communities.
“Our shared commitment to solving challenges and fulfilling the needs of the towns and cities across regional NSW will ensure the solutions we deliver are innovative and serve the interests of individual communities,” she said.
Regional Cities NSW Chair, Cr Col Murray said that building strong regional cities is fundamentally important for building a strong regional NSW.
“Our regional cities are essential hubs that provide access to transport, health businesses, employment and education for those living in our cities as well as those in smaller towns and rural areas” Cr Murray said.
“This new agreement between State and local government is an important step in continuing to deliver for the people of regional NSW,” Cr Murray concluded.