The NSW government has vowed it is "getting on with the job" of rebuilding essential services after one year in power.
When asked how he planned to convince regional and rural NSW that a Labor government would represent their needs, Premier Chris Minns said his government would continue to deliver for the "people of NSW, no matter where they live or who they vote for".
Mr Minns said there had been $3.8 billion announced for regional health facilities, $1.4b for regional schools and $1.8b in new investments to strengthen regional NSW, in the government's first budget handed down in September.
Some of the announcements Labor has made in the past year (full list at theland.com.au), include a new regional emergency road repair fund delivering $390 million directly to regional councils for urgent road and pothole repairs.
In the education funding breakdown there will be a new primary school for Nowra and Albury, new high schools for Googong and Bungendore and upgrades to Murrumbidgee Regional (Griffith and Wade High campus) and Yanco Agricultural High Schools. In regards to health, there will be a $3.8b to upgrade facilities in Ulladulla, Bathurst and Albury Wodonga.
"I know that NSW does not thrive if our agricultural industry and regional communities are not thriving. I am committed to continuing to invest in and work with our regions to make sure that happens," Mr Minns said.
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said the day Labor was elected in NSW, was the day the bush was left behind.
Mr Saunders said after axing vital programs like the Regional Seniors Travel Card, Resources for Regions and the Stronger Country Communities Fund, he was not surprised that families felt "neglected and let down".
"Every time Labor takes a dollar to the city, it is robbing our residents of much-needed support," Mr Saunders said.
"We are experiencing an escalating regional crime crisis, where people don't feel safe in their own homes, and the Premier is still refusing to give regional residents a voice.
"If people don't feel heard, they can't feel hopeful, and a lot of bush communities are feeling that right now."
Since forming government one year ago the NSW government has made the following announcements:
BIOSECURITY
- Passed the Biosecurity Amendment (Independent Biosecurity Commissioner) Bill 2023, enabling the establishment of an independent Biosecurity Commissioner. And engaged an interim Commissioner (fulfilling a key election commitment.)
- Established the states first Feral Pig Coordinator and invested $13 million in a Feral Pig Management Program
- Expedited the delivery process for the NSW Border Wild Dog Fence, following the failure of the former government to deliver since 2019.
- Committed $95 million over the next four yeas to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program. This is $80 million more than committed to under the former government.
- $31 million to support beekeepers, horticulture and cropping industries affected by the Varroa mite outbreak
- $21 million investment in the future for Clarence prawn fishers and farmers to respond and recovery from White Spot.
WATER
- Established the $250 million Drought Ready and Resilient Fund
- Mitigated the risk of over allocation by reducing floodplain harvesting areas in unregulated water sources by up to 40 per cent. This followed, community consultation, multiple independent expert reviews and recommendations from the 2021 Select Committee Inquiry.
- Released the NSW Alternatives to Buybacks plan, to minimise the exposure of NSW regional communities to water buy backs.
- Released the Namoi Regional Water Strategy to pave the way for a safer, more secure and sustainable water supply for Tamworth and the Namoi over the next 20 years.
- Saw Walgett successfully switch to river water, for the first time since 2020
- Enshrined public ownership of Hunter Water in the constitution to protect it from future privatisation.
- $12.5 million Regional Leakage Reduction Program
RURAL CRIME
- Announced a $26.2 million package of reforms and initiatives to support community safety. This included Legislative reform; a place-based response in Moree; Broader regional crime prevention initiatives
- Addressing the shortfall in police numbers by paying Student Police Officers while they study at the Goulburn Police Academy.
