Right to farm. Tick. Drought. Tick.
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But when it comes to infrastructure and telecoms the State Government is below average on delivering its election commitments.
It's been 222 days since the state election and a review by NSW Farmers' of the Coalition's election promises show they have delivered on many commitments but there were still areas "left wanting".
So NSW Farmers has recognised the progress of the Coalition's election promises overall, and while some areas still need work, they have given the government a 66 per cent mark.
The Land put it to NSW Farmers' president James Jackson on how he ranked the Coalition on its election pledges.
Right to farm/farm trespass:
The government is making this a priority and we've had good input into policy development to date. Right to farm is more than just addressing farm trespass.
Infrastructure/telecoms:
We are unaware of progress on the $500 million project for timber bridges and local roads, which are two projects that would help economic stimulus for NSW in the current drought so I would encourage them to expedite this and get the money out there. There has been no announcements yet on starting date for the Great Western duplication.They are, however, on track with the $37m wild dog fence extension. Deputy Premier John Barilaro has been consulting with communities about how the $400m for telecommunications in regional areas should be spent. It's a terrific spend because telecommunication is critical but we would like some rubber on the road for the black-spot program.
Drought:
The government has expanded the Farm Innovation Fund, which has allowed a greater diversity for infrastructure and on-farm support. They have increased the loan amount from $250,000 to $1m and they have increased the drought transport subsidy and committed $5m for emergency water. They have given us everything we asked for. I wouldn't give the Federal Government that sort of rating, they are missing in action.
Advocacy:
A Western Regional Minister and the fresh milk and dairy advocate has been appointed. But action on the agriculture commissioner is behind the eight-ball. This role will be critical to developing the broader planning piece around right to farm.
Water:
Funding for the Wyangala Dam has been increased from $650m that was promised at the election to $1m and they have added the Dungowan Dam. So those projects are on course to be shovel ready for next year. Having said that water infrastructure is found wanting to towns. While they didn't promise water for all of our towns at the election, there is still a big gap on what they should do. We haven't seen a long-term strategy to make sure water is available right now for drought affected regions.
Young farmers:
They have appointed a Regional Youth Minister, established a regional youth task force as well as the Office of Regional Youth within the Department of Premier Cabinet. The government has also committed $50m in the next round of the Stronger Country Communities Fund, to projects that support young people.
Government response
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the Coalition was on track to deliver all election commitments, most which had already been funded and delivered in just six months.
At the top of that list, Mr Barilaro said was drought support and water security but since since the election, the crisis around drought and water security had worsened.
He said the government had rolled out $95.72m in transport subsidies to help meet the cost of transporting fodder, water and stock as well as $18.73m to donate fodder to farmers.
The government has delivered $449.57m in loans to farmers and eligible businesses from the Farm Innovation Fund and Drought Assistance Fund Loans.
He added they had a mandate to build dams with money on the table to increase water storage across regional NSW as well as introducing legislation to remove unnecessary speed bumps in this process so they can start building dams in the next two years.
Mr Barilaro said they had passed historic legislation enshrining farmers Right to Farm, giving them freedom from the abuse of vigilantes who want to shut down legitimate industries.
The $500m face-lift for NSW's iconic timber bridges is on track with the first round of applications opening early 2020 while fixing local roads will open for applications in the coming weeks.
List of coalition election commitments
Note: A list of the commitments, when they were announced and an update from the government to whether it's been delivered.
- Protecting our farmers' right to farm (announced February 5 2019): On track. The Fresh Milk and Dairy Advocate was appointed September 5. The Government has confirmed the Agricultural Commissioner will be appointed once the Right to Farm Bill passes parliament. The Ag Commissioner will spearhead the second component of the government's Right to Farm agenda, which focuses on planning issues and protecting prime agricultural land.
- Supporting our true green army - Landcare (February 1, 2019): On track. Funding allocated. Detailed announcement to come shortly.
- Who'll keep the dogs out? (February 26, 2019): The wild dog fence is on track with planning underway.
- Young people in regions to get a voice at cabinet table (February 24, 2019): Young people from across NSW have today been inducted as the members of the NSW Government's inaugural Regional Youth Taskforce that will give regional youth a voice in Government. It was announced October 12, 2019.
- Extra funding takes NSW farmer safety to the skies (February 27, 2019): This has been delivered and the rebate is available now.
- Helping households cut power bills with clean energy (February 10, 2019): Up to 300,000 households across NSW could save hundreds of dollars on their power bills thanks to a no-interest loan provided by the NSW Government to purchase solar-battery and battery systems.
- $30 million for regional community energy fund (February 27, 2019): The Regional Community Energy Fund (RCEF) is a part of the NSW Government's $30 million Regional Community Energy Program, an initiative under the NSW Climate Change Fund. The program is designed to improve the reliability and affordability of energy for regional NSW communities. The fund will support renewable energy and storage projects owned or led by communities in regional NSW that are 'shovel ready' or in progressed stages of development.
- Wyangala Dam gets Snowy Hydro boost (February 24, 2019): The NSW Government has committed $650 million to raise Wyangala Dam wall with an additional commitment from the Commonwealth government.
- Securing our precious water supplies (February 24, 2019): The NSW Government has today introduced historic legislation to fast track critical water infrastructure to ensure drought-stricken communities will not run out of drinking water.
- New agribusiness precinct to create more aerotropolis jobs (March 4, 2019): The Department of Primary Industries, in collaboration with the Western City and Aerotropolis Authority, is examining what a world-leading agribusiness precinct might look like in Western Sydney, as part of the NSW Government's commitment to the City Deal.
- More boots on the ground tackling rural crime (February 7, 2019): There are two new rural crime investigators being deployed to southern NSW in a bid to combat stock theft, trespassing, illegal hunting and firearm theft. One will be placed in Goulburn with the Hume Police District while the other will be located in Griffith with the Murrumbidgee Police District.
- Expanding the Farm Innovation Fund (February 13, 2019): This fund has been expanded to $1 billion.
- $400 million for faster mobile and internet coverage in regional NSW (February 24, 2019): The NSW Government has committed $400 million to eliminate mobile black spots, boost data connectivity and Increase coverage of the connectivity needed for agribusinesses to use agricultural technologies. We are building two data centres in regional NSW (Wagga Wagga and Dubbo). The NWS Government is about to complete a two week road show through regional and remote areas to get a deeper understanding of the biggest priorities and problems that regional communities face.
- $250 travel card for seniors living in regional and rural NSW (February 22, 2019): Card will be rolled out from January 1, 2020.
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
