RCNSW WELCOMES FIRST BUDGET FROM NEW MINNS GOVERNMENT

Regional Cities New South Wales (RCNSW) has welcomed funding for regional New South Wales (NSW) allocated in the State Interim Budget today.

Cr Mathew Dickerson noted the government’s commitment to improving health and education outcomes in the regions via improved conditions for the workforce as well as broader services and important facilities.

“We also welcome the government’s commitment to addressing housing affordability challenges in our member cities and look forward to working with the government on this continuing crisis,” Cr Dickerson said.

The Government has also established for the first time a new $350m Regional Development Trust that will support:

  • Sustainable regional industries, including emerging and engine industries;

  • Aboriginal economic development and enterprise;

  • Community infrastructure and capacity building; and

  • Improving regional service delivery.

"RCNSW acknowledges the Government’s commitment to establish a Regional Development Trust and welcomes the associated $350m in initial funding," Cr Dickerson remarked.

"RCNSW will be advocating for a seat at the table for Local Government as part of the announced Advisory Council,” Cr Dickerson said.

"Local Governments in regional NSW should be seen as an engaged advisor and partner for State Government to invest in regional NSW," he explained.

The budget highlights for regional NSW included:

Regional Housing

  • $100m for regional infrastructure projects to unlock housing;

  • $70m to accelerate delivery of social, affordable and private homes primarily in regional NSW as part of a debt financing arrangement;

  • $60m for Landcom to deliver around 100 build-to-rent homes on the South Coast and Northern Rivers, targeting 20% affordable rental housing;

  • $35.3m to Services Our Way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing support including in Coffs Harbour and New England; and

  • $10m for a social housing Modular Housing Trial.

Regional Education

  • $769.3 for 100 new preschools at public school sites across the state, including Albury;

  • $40m for not-for-profit early child education in regional and high growth areas; and

  • $220m for new and upgraded regional schools including a new Googong High School and upgrades to Jerrabomberra High School.

Regional Health

New Initiatives:

  • $438.6m for 500 regional paramedics;

  • $20,000 (up from $10,000) to incentivise healthcare workers to move to regional NSW; and

  • $4m to address regional health service gaps and implement the recommendations of the Rural Health Inquiry.

The Budget also allocated:

  • $538m for construction of the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital;

  • $200m for the development of the Bathurst Hospital Redevelopment; and

  • $250,000 for a feasibility study into future services planning for the Yass Hospital.

Regional Roads and Transport

  • $390m Regional Emergency Road Repair Fund; and

  • $334m for Regional Roads Fund (approx. $242m in new investment).

Energy

  • $804m in additional funding for Renewable Energy Zones including those in the Central West, Orana and New England.

Water

  • $217.5m for the Safe and Secure Water Program to support regional towns dealing with town water supply, quality and safety risks;

  • $6m for planning to improve water security for Tamworth; and

  • $5m for the Northern Rivers Watershead Initiative (Tweed, Brunswick, Richmond and Evans Rivers Catchments).

"RCNSW notes that this is the Government’s interim budget and we look forward to working with the State Government on our priorities as they work toward the next budget cycle” Cr Dickerson concluded.
 

Edwina Blackburn