Health infrastructure is set to be one of the major winners for the Dubbo electorate in the announced 2020 NSW budget.
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Funding allocated to health infrastructure projects in the Dubbo electorate will total up over $60 million across the next few years, including:
- $27.5 million in 2020-21 (as part of a $241.3 million project) for the Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment (Stages 1 to 4).
- $20.4 million in 2020-21 (as part of a $35 million project) for the Western Cancer Centre in Dubbo (State and Federal funded).
- $10.5 million in 2020-21 (as part of a $30 million project) for the commencement of the Dubbo Hospital Car Park.
- $7.5 million for the establishment of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Dubbo to treat people that have become dependent upon alcohol or drugs.
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Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said that things were heading 'in the right direction' with regards to health infrastructure in the Central West.
"The big announcement for us was the hospital carpark, that construction will start next year and that's an extra 350 plus carp arks for a hospital that services a very large area of the region," Mr Saunders said.
"We'll have work hopefully being completed soon at the western cancer centre, which has a lot of money going into it."
While the budget will also include a record $16 billion deficit through the 2020 - 2021 period, Mr Saunders said increased spending will ensure job security across all industries.
"Whether it's building hospitals, bridges, roads, or construction of social housing, all of that adds to local jobs, we saw local tenders going to local people to work at the rail maintenance facility recently and that's a very large project," Mr Saunders said.
"This is about guaranteeing a future for all industries in our region."
Along with the construction jobs, an increased focus on white collar professionals and increased police training will hopefully draw more skilled workers and investment to the area.
"I think the ability to attract more professionals, whether teachers or police is there, the new facility out near the RFS, that will provide police training, that work will hopefully start next year at some stage," Mr Saunders said.
"We've got investment in digital technology, our teachers and learning will continue to grow, we're the pilot for a brand new program to make sure digital learning tools are available for all our regional areas."
Mr Saunders said that the ultimate outcome and focus on spending would provide a 'successful outcome'.