Greens candidate for Dubbo Matt Parmeter has backed a $1 billion package for regional NSW announced by his party, but others have criticised the package for being too radical and detrimental to the economy.
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Mr Parmeter said the Greens would raise an additional billion dollars across four years for regional NSW by bringing in a 2 per cent levy on coal royalties and 1 per cent levy on minerals royalties.
The money would be used for projects that would improve electricity and water efficiency, assistance for the agriculture industry and waste reduction.
"This includes developing the renewable energy sector in inland NSW to capitalize on our strengths - land and sunshine. We can get jobs and industry from this sector, and do so in a long term, sustainable way," Mr Parmeter said.
"There are funds for infrastructure projects.
"There will be funding for sustainable agriculture, which will experience turbulence due to climate change. Funding for research and development, funding for marketing."
Mr Parmeter said there was a responsibility on government to ensure Australia profited from its natural resources.
"We only dig up our mineral resources once; so we want the money invested to bring benefits to ourselves, and our children and grandchildren."
However, Labor candidate Stephen Lawrence said he felt the Green's policy was too aggressive in pushing for renewable energy instead of current technologies
"This Greens policy is based on their desire to rashly move too quickly towards renewable energy," Mr Lawrence said.
"This will mean job losses, higher electricity prices and economic damage that we can't afford.
"I support a reasonable, careful and sustainable shift to renewables that protects the economy and doesn't worsen cost of living pressures for families in the electorate."
Mr Parmeter said the Renew Regional NSW fund was designed to lure people from Sydney to increase the population of regional areas and keep them viable.
"The relocation of government departments and agencies, as well as incentives for private business to set up in regional locations, can help provide a viable critical mass of activity and specialisation," he said.
"The Greens' long-term vision for NSW is encouraging the relocation to and sustainable economic activity in medium-sized cities and towns, connected by high-speed broadband and good land and air transport links."
Independent candidate Colin Hamilton said he broadly supported the idea of levies on coal and minerals and said he too was determined to make more use of renewable energy.
"I do believe our resources are going too cheap and we need to benefit more from them but it would depend on whether it was possible for the state to implement that," he said.
Mr Parmeter said he was proud the Greens had been able to find more investment without resorting to the sell-off of electricity, a proposal the Greens are strongly opposed to.