The NSW government has launched a website to help keep track of regional government funding, while also highlighting existing infrastructure to those looking to ‘go bush’.
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The website, www.nsw.gov.au/our-regions, which went live on Friday morning and features an interactive map with information on the $16 billion dollars spent on infrastructure in regional areas in the 2017-18 financial year.
The projects include $2.8bn for intercity train fleets, including to the Blue Mountains, $70.2 million for the Mudgee Hospital Redevelopment and $3.3 million for the Macquarie Homestay program.
Major Bathurst projects listed on the website include the $110 million expansion of Bathurst Correctional Centre to create 220 new beds; the new Bathurst ambulance station to be built on Commonwealth Street; and a $2.2 million zone substation refurbishment.
Locals roads projects include the Carrs Creek bridge replacement at Caloola and Beaconsfield Road upgrade.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the website would “put a spotlight on infrastructure in regional NSW”.
“I know there’s often the perception in moving to regional NSW that it’s a bush change or a sea change, but there’s actually serious investment in regional infrastructure to improve these regional cities,” he said.
“We encourage people to take the drive and see what’s out there.”
He said the website was one way to fix the spotlight on the state capital.
“We’re often accused of being all about Sydney, and you flick on the news at night and hear about Westconnex and other issues but not about work done in their own region,” he said.
Snowy Hydro will give us an opportunity to fix those roads, and starting shortly we’ll be looking at that.
- Deputy Premier John Barilaro
The $16 billion includes more than 750 projects in regional NSW including health, roads and schools.
Mr Barilaro said the March 2 announcement of the sale of the NSW government’s $4.1 billion stake in the Snowy Hydro Scheme, and the commitment that the money would be spent in regional areas, would allow for more upgrades to roads.
He said there would be an announcement coming “shortly” regarding a rail transport strategy in the region, while an upgrade to the Bells Line Road through the Blue Mountains was being considered.
“Bells is always on the list of things we’re talking about and looking at and the Snowy Hydro will give us an opportunity to fix those roads, and starting shortly we’ll be looking at that,” he said.