The NSW Budget looks beyond the pandemic to take us from recovery to transformation, creating a better life for Coffs Coast families, according to NSW Nationals Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh.
“This Budget beds down a safe and strong recovery and drives future growth for more jobs and a better quality of life here on the Coffs Coast,” Mr Singh said.
“Just one year on from the deepest recession in 80 years, our finances are in excellent shape and our economy is back to growth. The NSW Nationals in the state government are investing to keep our State COVID-safe and to keep our recovery going, providing more support to help ease cost of living pressures for families, and transforming NSW with real reform.”
Mr Singh said key Budget highlights include:
• $109.5m over four years to develop 25 ‘Safeguards’ – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Response Teams across NSW to provide services to children and teenagers with moderate to severe mental health issues and their families and carers;
• With about 45,000 children enrolled in community and mobile preschools across the State, the NSW Nationals in the state government have committed $150m to ensure they can access these services for free, saving families up to $4000 a year per child;
• A $44m program to make a $100 voucher for swimming lessons available to every pre-school child aged three to six in NSW.
Mr Singh said he is proud the Budget will fund in 2021-22 significant projects which will see the Coffs Coast continue to go ahead:
• $8.4m (as part of a $55.1m project) for a new office hub in Coffs Harbour to consolidate existing tenancies and provide a modern, efficient office space to attract and retain regional government workers;
• $15m (as part of a $20m project) for civil infrastructure and public facilities in the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore precinct;
• $11.5m for a major upgrade to the Coffs Harbour Regional Boat Ramp to increase the size of the ramp, provide more facilities and improve parking options;
• $5.8m to construct a travel lift at Coffs Harbour and a slipway at Tweed Heads;
• $2.2m ($4m over four years) to deliver new and upgraded quality social and affordable housing for Aboriginal communities in Coffs Harbour, Goonellabah, Lismore and Tweed Heads;
• $29m (as part of a $194m project) for the Coffs Harbour Hospital Expansion; (see next page)
• $4m (as part of $5.8m State funding) under the NSW Premier Aboriginal Experience to deliver an Aboriginal ecotourism experience in Coffs Harbour;
• $100m for Coffs Harbour Bypass construction, which will improve safety and reduce travel time (State and Federal funded);
• $4.8m (as part of a $10m Restart package) for Coffs Harbour Airport Enterprise Park;
• $2m funding to Coffs Harbour City Council for the upgrade of Hogbin Drive.
“I will always work hard to deliver the best in health, education, jobs and growth for the Coffs Coast,” Mr Singh said.
