12 June 2012

Western NSW a Big Winner in 2012-13 Budget

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will provide a massive investment in Western NSW infrastructure and services in the 2012-13 Budget, Minister for Western NSW Kevin Humphries announced today.

Mr Humphries said that through this Budget the NSW Government is continuing to provide the funding that will ensure the future growth and prosperity of many Western communities.

“The substantial funding for Western NSW is recognition of the contribution this vital region makes to the State’s economy and in this Budget we are returning to the regions their fair share of funding,” Mr Humphries said.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals were elected with a commitment to make regional NSW number one again and through this Budget we are securing the future of our Western communities with a significant investment in local education, health, roads and primary industries.”

Mr Humphries said the NSW Government’s second Budget continues to provide desperately needed funding for many Western NSW hospitals, including:

• $28.8 million to continue the joint State and Commonwealth funded Wagga Wagga Base Hospital Redevelopment at an estimated total cost of $270 million.
• $23.6 million to continue the development of the joint State and Commonwealth funded New England/North West Regional Cancer Centre, at an estimated total cost of $40.7 million
• $17.7 million to begin work on the Stage 2 Redevelopment at Tamworth Hospital at an estimated total cost of $220 million;
• $12.5 million to continue the joint State and Commonwealth funded Stage 1 and 2 developments at Dubbo Base Hospital at an estimated total cost of $79.8 million; and,
• $6.9 million to complete the new Multipurpose Service at Gulgong at an estimated total cost of $7 million.

“The Western region will also benefit from more nurses, with $2.7 million for the Hunter New England Local Health District to employ approximately 43 more nurses and $534,000 for the Western NSW Local Health Districts to employ approximately 8 more nurses,” Mr Humphries said.

“We will continue to provide investment into improving access and services in mental health, with a further $5.9 million recurrent funding for the continued staged opening of the Orange Mental Health Service, $3.2 million recurrent funding to provide more sub-acute mental health services at Dubbo and $3.2 million recurrent funding to provide more sub-acute general rehabilitation, geriatric and mental health services at Broken Hill.

“We are providing significant investment to improve Western roads, including $5.9 million for resurfacing and sealing works on the Silver City Highway and $2.5 million for works on the Cobb Highway.

“We are getting on with the job of fixing the Newell Highway, with $4 million this year for overtaking lanes.

“The NSW Government continues its reform of disability services, with $31.3 million allocated to expand and improve accommodation for people with disabilities in Moree, Inverell, Wagga Wagga, Orange, Tamworth, Albury, Dubbo, Parkes and Bathurst.

“We are making our communities safer, with $7.3 million for the construction of Moree Police Station, $3.5 million for the construction of Walgett Police Station and $5.8 million for Parkes Police Station.

“There is significant investment in corrective services and juvenile justice, with $9.6 million for the completion of the redevelopment of Riverina Juvenile Justice Detention Centre, $6.9 million for the upgrade of Armidale Courthouse and $2.6 million for the design and planning of a major expansion of Wagga Wagga Courthouse.

“The NSW Government has allocated vital funding in Primary Industries to deliver important services and programs for rural and regional communities across the State, including $21 million for the construction of the Macquarie River to Orange water supply pipeline (subject to planning approval), and   $2.9 million for the construction of the Mudgee sewerage project.

“Furthermore, Western NSW has been allocated $1.17 billion in recurrent funding for schools, a share in $376 million in funding to provide bus services to regional and rural areas of NSW, and $2.3 million to expand radiotherapy services for patients living with cancer.”

Mr Humphries said the 2012-13 Budget continues the process of rebuilding Western NSW after years of neglect that occurred under the former Labor Government.

“The benefits for Western NSW in having a Minister represent the region at the Cabinet table are evident in the huge investment that is being delivered into vital services and infrastructure in this Budget,” Mr Humphries said.

“Coupled with the excellent representation the dedicated and passionate Western Liberals and Nationals MPs provide to their electorates, we have made significant progress in making regional NSW number one again.”