NSW Nationals Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders has welcomed a budget that provides outstanding outcomes for the Dubbo electorate, despite the pressures of COVID-19.
It featured a focus on infrastructure development, health and social issues and assistance for families and businesses to combat the pandemic.
“Despite the pressures that COVID-19 has put on the budget, the fiscal responsibility of the government ensured NSW was in a position to provide a nation-leading response,” Mr Saunders said.
“That has also enabled a budget that allows us to deliver some projects and programs that assist our communities through this tough time.”
Highlights of the budget for the Dubbo electorate include:
• $10.5 million towards the construction of a $30 million carpark at Dubbo Hospital.
• $20.3 million to complete work at the Western Cancer Centre.
• $27.4 million towards the continuation of Stages 3 and 4 of the Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment.
• $9.6 million towards the construction of a $30 million police training facility at the Dubbo Airport precinct.
• $26.5 million for transport projects across the electorate.
• $20 million for the electorate to lead the state in the Rural Access Gap (RAG) program, ensuring schools have the best digital teaching and learning tools.
• $10 million towards the supply and upgrade of social housing across the electorate.
• $5.4 million towards work at the new Mudgee Hospital.
These announcements are in addition to the outstanding projects revealed last week by Mr Saunders and Deputy Premier John Barilaro.
These include:
• $7.5 million towards the construction and ongoing costs of a drug rehabilitation centre in the region, which will provide support for people directly and indirectly impacted by the scourge of drug addiction.
• A combined $22.8 million for a platypus refuge and wildlife hospital for Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
The budget also included programs aimed at making life easier for families and business owners.
These include $120 million to provide free access to community and mobile preschools in 2021, funding towards the cost of free tutoring for children, and a cut to the Payroll Tax rate, an increase in its threshold, and a commitment to review stamp duty on property purchases.
“This is a budget that delivers across a broad range of areas for our electorate,” Mr Saunders said.
“We’re addressing social issues through the rehab facility, we’re addressing business issues through the Payroll Tax reforms, and we’re addressing education through the RAG program and free preschool and tutoring.
“As a government we are trying to make life easier, keep people employed and continue delivering infrastructure that makes our towns and cities the best places to live.”
For more information about the NSW Government’s 2020/21 Budget, please go to budget.nsw.gov.au.
