Regional Cities New South Wales (RCNSW) has on Wednesday welcomed the 2021-22 State Budget, which includes a range of measures that will help regional cities in New South Wales to grow and prosper.
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Regional Cities NSW Chair and Mayor of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Cr Tim Overall said that the budget will help RCNSW members manage their recovery, build resilience and lay the foundations for a bright and productive future.
"Regional NSW has endured one of the toughest times in history with drought, flood, bushfires, plague and a global pandemic causing heartbreaking devastation and unforeseen challenges," he said.
"Funding allocated to the Regional Growth Fund and Restart NSW is critical to ensure a strong recovery, so our regional cities can continue to be strong service and economic centres."
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Cr Overall said that regional cities play an important role as service hubs providing access to health, education, jobs as well as arts, culture and sporting facilities.
"Investing in our member cities will make sure the people of NSW are offered a liveable alternative to Sydney," he said.
"To accommodate this growth however RCNSW will continue to advocate that housing supply and affordability require greater attention from policymakers if regional Australia is going to be in a position to capitalise on recent population growth."
Investments announced as part the budget (including those that have been made in recent weeks) include:
Regional Recovery and Development
- $79.5 million for the Regional Job Creation Fund;
- $168.1 million for the Regional Growth Economic Activation Fund; and
- $398.4 million to deliver projects under the Regional Growth Fund.
Special Activation Precincts:
- $185.4 million for Parkes;
- $157.5 million for Wagga Wagga;
- $75.0 million for Special Activation Precincts pre-delivery works;
- $25.4 million for future Precincts (including Narrabri, Moree and Snowy Mountains); and
- $5.0 million for Regional Job Precincts to deliver streamlined planning approvals across the State (including Albury).
Cross Border Support:
- $5.0 million for the NSW Office of the Cross-Border Commissioner; and
- $15.0 million from the Cross-Border Commissioner's Infrastructure Fund.
Disaster Recovery and Emergency Response
- $590.4 million for the 2021 NSW Storm and Flood Recovery Package;
- $268.2 million in response to the NSW Bushfire Inquiry; and
- $259.7 million for an expanded Public Safety Network coverage.
Transport
- $549.5 million to accelerate a range of regional transport programs and projects, including Fixing Country Bridges program; rollout of real time tracking on regional bus services; continued planning and delivery of the 16 Cities program;
- $320.0 million to deliver a modern, new Regional Rail Fleet and construct a maintenance facility in Dubbo;
- $250.0 million for NSW Government's Regional Road Transfer and Road Classification Review; and
- $63.8 million for the Fixing Country Rail program.
Connectivity
- $100.0 million for the Gig State project to upgrade digital network infrastructure;
- $50.0 million for the Mobile Coverage Project to deliver improved regional mobile coverage; and
- $47.9 million for the expanded Farms of the Future program which includes constructing and operating Long Range Wide Area Networks.
Education
- $280.4 million to give over 1,000 regional, rural and remote schools improved digital teaching and learning tools;
- $110.8 million for the Regional School Renewal Program;
- $30.0 million for the Regional Roof Upgrade Program; and
- $12.0 million regional TAFE campus ICT facilities.
Health, Aged Care and Community Services
- $900 million for new and upgraded hospitals in rural and regional NSW; and
- $36.4 million to fund 57 mental health Response and Recovery Specialists in regional and rural communities.
Aboriginal Communities
- $156.3 million to for affordable housing for Aboriginal communities.
Tourism and the Arts
- $30.0 million for the Creative Capital program to deliver new cultural infrastructure projects in Greater Sydney and regional NSW.
