AT THE time of writing, we are awaiting the details of a promised budget for the regions. I certainly hope by the time you are reading this that it is the case. Investing in our regions make so much sense from an economic point of view over the long term; and also demonstrates a willingness to see beyond the oft used acronym of NSW standing for “Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong”.
Sometimes it can be difficult for groups like ours, and our representatives in the bush, to make the case for significant investment in the regions. On a purely headcount basis, the larger metropolitan areas will always win. There is no question that there are areas of metropolitan NSW, such as Western Sydney for example, that also need significant infrastructure and funding in order for the area to thrive; but making funding decisions based on head counts alone misses the bigger picture and only takes a short-term view.
Many of our members would say that in their local area, road building, maintenance or repair has fallen below an acceptable standard. We hear that this is often because Roads and Maritime Services grant funding is based on a 50/50 split between state and local governments, regardless of location or a council’s ability to raise their own source revenue. We do become concerned that there is no recognition of the issues of distance and the associated additional costs, seasonal increases in traffic volumes or availability of an appropriately skilled workforce. Perhaps even more galling is the fact that the state priorities don’t even mention regional roads. The focus, put forward in the government’s own priorities, is very clearly on congestion around Sydney, despite significant investments already having been made beyond this area. We know there is money promised for regional roads, significant money, via the sale of poles and wires; but the rollout needs to be expedited and government needs to reframe its infrastructure priorities.
It is important that the investment is strategic. There are some areas of rural NSW that have lost key industries or whose population has naturally gravitated towards a larger regional centre. We need to look closer at these areas and develop a plan to create jobs and a feeling of community within. Roads, education facilities and hospitals are very important and should be funded as needed; but at a time when the government has funds to invest, we should also be looking at other initiatives to improve cultural experiences and facilities for tourism. All of these pieces come together to make a rural town great. To that end, we welcome the announcement of the $100 million regional cultural fund.
We have said before telling people simply to “move” doesn’t cut it. What is needed if we are to be really serious is deliberate and strategic investments made with a longer term view. For myself, I want to see the regional, rural and remote areas of this state be more than just places people CAN live, but places people WANT to live.
- CWA of NSW state president Annette Turner.
