Hundreds of millions of dollars in government funding will flow to Barwon in the next 12 months in an “unprecedented” NSW budget result, Barwon MP Kevin Humphries said.
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Mr Humphries said the budget result was far better than he could have expected, with money flowing for a wide range of projects including water security, roads, education, community organisations and transport.
He said there was almost $270 million for the electorate from the Restart NSW programs, and a further $4.7 million from Rebuild NSW.
There was something in the budget to benefit everyone in the Barwon electorate, Mr Humphries said.
Funding for Broken Hill’s 270-kilometre pipeline has been allocated. The total project was worth $500 million, with the and the government has said the pipeline will be operational by late-2018.
It was the key project for the far west, but other big water projects included $9.9 million for water treatment in Cobar, $5 million for a twin pipeline between Cobar and Nyngan, $5.5 million for treatment plant and reticulation network at White Cliffs and almost $1 million to secure water supply at Cumborah.
For health projects, primary healthcare provider Lightning Ridge HealthOne will get $5 million and Broken Hill Integrated Health Facility gets $3.9 million.
Road projects are also a big percentage of Barwon’s budget allocation. Eight bridges will be upgraded across the electorate and millions will be spent on the highways including $8.8 million for the Cobb Highway, $5.4 million for the Newell Highway and $6.3 million for the Silver City Highway.
Lightning Ridge will also benefit from $742,000 for upgrades at Lightning Ridge Airport.
Mr Humphries said it wasn’t just infrastructure that was being carried out that would benefit the electorate.
He said farmers were big winners with duties on livestock and crop insurance being dropped as of January 1 next year, and he estimated that it would save farmers $330 million over the next four years.
Other programs announced on Tuesday including the active kids rebate, which provides parents of school aged children with a $100 rebate to cover sporting fees, will also have a big impact in Barwon, Mr Humphries said.
Lightning Ridge, Nyngan and Walgett will get Service NSW centres, which offer Roads and Maritime Services and provide a number of other government functions.
Mr Humphries said he expected more to come for Barwon from other funding sources including the $1 billion Regional Growth: Economic Activation Fund and $100 million Regional Cultural Fund.
