Housing, education, health and critical road and energy infrastructure are at the heart of the New South Wales Budget, according to Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey.
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"The region has been through enormous challenges over the past few years, and this budget offers support, stronger services, and strategic reform," Ms Pavey said.
"These projects and initiatives reflect the needs of the people of our region and will help encourage our communities to develop, grow and improve."
Projects that have been allocated major funding include:
- $56.4 million for a four-day Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk which will increase access and attract an extra 200,000 visitors to the region.
- $41 million for Restart NSW Fund and Projects
- $2.5 million to refurbish the heritage section of KDH for Community Health
- $506,000 for Regional Job Creation Fund
- $375,000 for Aboriginal Housing
- $201,000 for Social Housing
"The NSW Government is also committing to funding projects that protect our iconic coast and estuaries and support stronger coastal communities and industries.
"There is also $156.3 million for the regional road network, matched by the Commonwealth Government, to strengthen long-term resilience for regional communities with a priority on supporting those on the NSW North Coast.
State-wide announcements include:
- $20.9 billion to address biosecurity in primary industries sector and the social and environmental amenity of the state.
- $16.5 billion over 10 years to break the barriers to opportunity for women and help give our children the best start in life including by investing in affordable and accessible childcare and creating a universal year of prekindergarten in the year before school.
- More than $7.2 billion in cost-of-living measures, including the Premier's Back to School program and new Energy Bill Buster Program.
- $2.8 billion to help more families find a place to call home, including $728.6 million for tax reform to help people own their first home
- $408 million to fast-track elective surgery delayed by the pandemic.
- $883 million will be spent over the next four years to attract and retain staff in rural and regional NSW by transforming the way health clinicians are incentivised in the bush.
- A major boost to fire management in national parks through a $598 million investment and in addition $315.2 million over the next four years to complete the recommendations of the NSW Bushfire Inquiry.
- An additional $93.7 million to deliver the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy to prepare for the impacts of climate change and capture new investment opportunities.
- $28 million Farm Forestry package to bolster on-the-ground support for producers, drive innovation and promote best practice in sustainable farm forestry businesses.
- The expansion of the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) with the NSW Government investing an additional $149.5 million.
- $401 million in additional funding to prioritise Closing the Gap and other projects that improve outcomes for Aboriginal people across the state.
Note: The above information has been supplied by Ms Pavey's electorate office.