The NSW government has announced the 2022-23 Budget, offering steadfast support for families and businesses to help the Dubbo electorate continue to grow.
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This budget takes the lessons of COVID-19, fire and floods, and builds on a decade of responsible economic management to deliver a brighter future for our region.
Some highlights for our region include:
- $8.5 million to continue delivery of the $306.3 million Dubbo Health Service redevelopment (Stages 1 to 4, car park and Cancer Centre;
- $8 million to continue construction of overtaking lanes between Narromine and Dubbo on the Mitchell Highway;
- $6 million upgrade to biomedical equipment across the Western NSW Local Health District to improve reliability and ensure better care and outcomes for patients in major hospitals and smaller rural communities;
- Almost $10 million to continue our investment in social housing across the Dubbo electorate;
- $7.8 million to commence construction on the Rawsonville Bridge;
- $31.7 million for the new purpose-built office hub in Dubbo, to accommodate 650 workers from across government agencies, improving cross-agency collaboration and service delivery across western NSW;
- $32.8 million to commence construction of the new Dubbo Bridge on the Newell Highway over the Macquarie River, Dubbo (State and Federally funded);
- $399.1 million in capital expenditure ($835.6 million over four years) to continue delivery of a new modern Regional Rail Fleet to replace the ageing XPT, XPLORER and Endeavour trains and construct the new purpose-built Mindyarra Maintenance Centre in Dubbo;
- $23.8 million for the construction of the $35 million NSW Police Dubbo Regional Education and Training Centre;
- $17 million to enhance the Visitor Experience at Taronga Western Plains Zoo - including $7.9 million for the Platypus Visitor and Education Centre.
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ALSO MAKING NEWS:
- CYMS downs Dragons in intense top-of-the-table battle that lives up to the hype
- DNA program hoping to solve Australia's missing persons cases to visit town
- VRA treasurer a finalist in NSW top emergency service awards
- Emus continue dominance over cross-town rivals thanks to Lions' 'pretty crap' first half
Early last week I had a quick look at the new Cardiac Cath Lab at Dubbo Hospital with Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor - the Cath Lab is now open, and welcomed its first patients on Wednesday, June 8.
Chronic diseases, like coronary disease, are a major concern in Western NSW, and remain one of the leading causes of death in the region.
This brand new service will improve access to life-saving cardiac care for the local community, as well as for patients in more remote areas of the region who will now be able to receive care in a more central location.
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Families in the Dubbo electorate are set to save thousands of dollars a year on childcare costs, thanks to the NSW government's $5 billion landmark investment over the next decade to expand access to high quality, affordable care.
Under the reforms, a middle-income family living in our region with two children in childcare is expected to save around $7,800.
Improving the affordability and accessibility of childcare is a once in a generation economic reform - this will benefit hundreds of families in our community that will be able to better balance work and family responsibilities.
