NSW Nationals Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey announced the 2021-22 NSW Budget will continue to deliver funding for a range of much-needed infrastructure projects and community programs.
“Delivering the infrastructure our community needs continues to be a priority with $8.9 million in capital works funding,” Ms Pavey said.
“We have allocated $14.1 million to continue safety, traffic and pavement improvements on Waterfall Way and another $1.8 million to complete intersection improvement works on the Oxley Highway at Wauchope.
“These investments and projects will not only make journeys safer, faster and more reliable – they will also create jobs as part of the NSW Nationals in the state government’s plan for a prosperous, post-pandemic economy.”
Ms Pavey also said capital works projects in progress include South West Rocks High Performance Centre $2.5 million, South West Rocks Police Station $1.5 million and Kempsey Sports Precinct $10 million.
“The Bowraville Recreational Club development will be underway soon, so too the Bellingen Memorial Hall $3.3 million, Bowraville Health One and Bellingen Sewer Scheme $11 million,” Ms Pavey said.
“Delivered projects include Wauchope Public School upgrade, Nambucca CLC $8 million and $6 million for the Long Flat Sewer Scheme.”
Ms Pavey said Oxley has benefited recently from accelerated funding for Fixing Local Roads Round 2 with a total of $8,445,777 million to repair, maintain and seal the roads our communities use every day across the region.
“This funding means upgrades to Gleniffer Road, seal the Kempsey-Armidale Road, improve roads around Macksville CBD, and provide for the Bago Road-Cameron Street extension – these are examples of how we are investing in better local transport projects and supporting future growth,” Ms Pavey said.
In addition, $52 million was allocated towards the Fixing Country Bridges program to replace old timber bridges in Oxley.
“Fixing Country Bridges continues to be one of the hallmarks of the NSW Nationals in Government and this funding will upgrade 113 bridges in Oxley,” Ms Pavey said.
Oxley also received $101,000 through Boating Now Round 2.
Other Budget expenditure includes:
• Restart NSW Fund Programs and Projects for Oxley $56 million
• $465,000 for a range of projects under the Regional Cultural and Stronger Country Community Funds
• Bushfire Industry Recovery Package $10,000
“The 2021-22 NSW Budget takes the next step, looking beyond the pandemic to take our State from recovery to transformation, creating a better NSW for your family and your future,” Ms Pavey said.
“We are investing to keep NSW COVID-safe and to keep our recovery going, investing in you with more support to help ease the cost-of-living pressures for families, and transforming our State with real reform for the future.
NSW will post a slimmed-down 2020-21 deficit of $7.9 billion – well below the $16 billion which was forecast in November. There is a forecasted return to surplus of almost $500m by 2024-25 with public sector workers to receive up to a 2.5 per cent pay rise over four years.
State-wide announcements include:
• $44 million for vouchers to help children aged three to six learn to swim
• $50 million for Mobile Coverage, which will invest in infrastructure and emerging technologies to deliver improved mobile coverage across regional NSW
• $47.9 million for an expanded Farms of the Future program. This is in addition to the $400.0 million Regional Digital Connectivity program.
• $109.5 million to create mental health flying squads for youth
• $50 million to treat severe neurological disorders.
• $36.4 million to support mental health in the bush
• $21.6 million for heart patients
• $8.6 million for movement disorders (Parkinson’s)
• $7.7 million for treatment of behavioural issues in regions
• $490 million to incentivise electric vehicles
• $380 million for renewable energy projects.
• $80 million for trails and bike tracks in national parks
• $64 million to implement the Future Ready Regions strategy
• $28 million to research and develop bushfire resilience
• $67 million to upgrade racetracks in regional NSW
• $16 million for the Surf Club Facility Program
• $90 million for domestic violence survivors
• $57 million to help rough sleepers get homes and support
• $12 million to scale up adoption and guardianship of vulnerable kids.
For more information about the NSW Nationals in the state government’s 2021-22 Budget, please go to budget.nsw.gov.au.
