The NSW Nationals in Government have announced plans to fast track vital infrastructure projects in regional NSW to help local industries, councils and communities rebuild and recover from the impacts of drought, bushfire and COVID-19.
Many of our regional communities have felt the full devastation of bushfires and drought and we are now faced with the economic impacts of a global pandemic.
The NSW Nationals have secured more than $100 million of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 stimulus package to go toward regional projects including the expansion of plantation nurseries to boost production, infrastructure repairs in state forests, the rebuild of local showgrounds, and vital upgrades to regional hospitals, courthouses and Aboriginal housing.
NSW Nationals Leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the stimulus package was great news for regional communities who were continuing to do it tough as a result of recent events.
“The NSW Nationals in Government are responding to the needs of regional communities and this funding will help to protect jobs, support business, upgrade infrastructure and support the regions’ most vulnerable,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Our communities have done it incredibly tough over the past few years with the worst drought on record, unprecedented bushfire and now COVID-19 taking its toll, so it is important communities the government gives them the backing they deserve to get them through this difficult period.
“This funding will also protect vital jobs and production in forestry areas badly impacted by bushfire and deliver essential upgrades to almost 170 showgrounds around the state, where our local agriculture sector gathers to showcase produce and achievements.”
