NSW Nationals Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey has announced the 2020-21 NSW Budget will continue to deliver funding for a range of much-needed infrastructure projects and community programs.
“Delivering the infrastructure projects our community need continues to be a priority with $14.1 million in capital works funding and $6.1 million in new capital works,” Ms Pavey said.
“Over the past few months housing has been an issue for those most vulnerable in our community. Today I can announce $6.1 million for social housing in Oxley.
“This investment will provide a safety net for those in need and help create a real chance to real and lasting change for individuals, families and our communities.”
Ms Pavey also said that capital works in projects in progress included Macksville Hospital $5.89 million, Kempsey’s prison bed capacity program $4.69 million and Wauchope Public School upgrade $459,000.
“Oxley will also benefit from a share in accelerated funding for Fixing Local Roads with a total of $312 million to repair, maintain and seal the roads our communities use every day across NSW,” Ms Pavey said.
“Kempsey’s Maria River Rd was an example of how we are investing in better local transport projects and over the coming weeks there will be more local road upgrades announced, supporting future growth.”
This year’s Budget also allocated $108 million towards the Fixing Country Bridges program to replace old timber bridges.
“Fixing Country Bridges continues to be one of the hallmarks of the NSW Nationals in the state government,” Ms Pavey said.
“These investments and projects will not only make journeys safer, faster and more reliable – they will also create jobs as part of the NSW Government’s plan for a prosperous, post-pandemic economy.”
Oxley also received $921,000 through Boating Now Round 1 and 2.
Other local projects delivered in the Budget include:
• $12 million for safety, traffic and pavement improvements on the Waterfall Way
• $2.6 million for a range of projects under the Regional Cultural and Stronger Country Community Funds
• $1.16 million for continue construction of Wauchope Railway Station upgrade
• $100,000 for construction of shared cycleways at Gregory St, South West Rocks
• $2.18 million for Watt Creek Cycleway
• $5 million for Valla Employment Lands
• $1.17 million for Long Flat Sewerage Scheme
• $6.63 million for Stuarts Point Sewerage
• $1.29 million for Bielsdown Bridge Replacement
• $280,000 for North of Hastings River, timber bridge replacement
• $500,000 for replacement of Lanes Bridge, Bowraville
• $655,000 for Dangar Falls – Track the Waterfalls
• $2.8 million for sealing of Point Plomer Road, Crescent Head
• $1.68 million for Stuarts Point Foreshore Revitalisation
• $8.75 million for Kempsey Waste Water Treatment Plant
• $11.2 million for Sewering Coastal Villages
The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund also delivered $11.28 million to Kempsey Shire Council to help deliver the Macleay Valley Skydiving Adventure Park at the Kempsey Regional Airport and $3.6 million to Nambucca Shire Council for a Coastal Protection Wall at Main Beach.
“The NSW Nationals in the state government are boosting the transformational Regional Growth Fund with a further $300 million, bringing the fund’s total to $2 billion, to continue delivering grass roots projects across the regions,” Ms Pavey said.
State-wide announcements include:
• To aid recovery and resilience across regional NSW we are also investing $639.2 million in bushfire recovery activities, $217.2 million in COVID-19 support and a further $88 million to help farmers rebound from drought.
• The government has launched a public consultation period seeking opinions on a plan to overhaul the centuries-old stamp duty tax scheme and inject as much as $11 billion into the state’s economy over four years.
• Payroll tax will also be overhauled, with the rate to be reduced from 5.45 per cent to 4.85 per cent, which will deliver businesses savings on average of $34,000 a year.
• NSW will spend $500 million to give to every adult resident four $25 vouchers to spend on entertainment and eating out.
• Grants of up to $5,000 to help women return to the workforce.
• There will be $337m over 2021 school year for more tutoring in public schools.
• Parents will be offered up to15 hours of free preschool pre child each week.
For more information about the NSW Government’s 2020/21 Budget, please go to budget.nsw.gov.au.
