The NSW Government is setting the stage for the State’s prosperity, delivering a budget that secures a brighter future for the Cootamundra electorate.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed the 2022-23 NSW Budget which sees continued investment in the seat of small communities, while also locking-in key projects underway across the region.
“This Budget is very welcome and builds on the significant investment we have seen in the Cootamundra electorate over recent years,” Ms Cooke said.
Local highlights include:
- An additional $40 million for the redevelopment of Cowra Hospital, taking the total investment in this project to $110.2 million.
- $1 million for a new CT scanner at Young.
- $6.1 million for Aboriginal Housing.
- $5.1 million for a social housing package, including $3.3 million for new supply, and
- $80 million locked-in for the recently announced Temora Hospital redevelopment.
The Budget also sees continued funding of major works already in progress, including:
- $6.4 million for the new joint-use library and community facility at Young High School.
- $5.6 million for early works of the Wyangala Dam wall raising project.
- $1 million for the Narrandera Fisheries Centre upgrade.
- $5.6 million to commence planning for the upgrade of Sheahan Bridge on the Hume Highway at Gundagai.
- $68.4 million for the planning and construction of overtaking lanes along the full length the Newell Highway, including 10 overtaking lanes in the electorate with four built, five in construction and one in development.
Highlights for regional communities more broadly include:
- $1.3 billion to boost to the Regional Growth Fund, including $250 million to expand the Stronger Country Communities Fund, $220 for the Resources for Regions program and $100 million for the Regional Job Creation Fund.
- $2.4 billion over 10 years to boost the rural and regional health workforce.
- $210.2 million for the Fixing Local Roads and Fixing Country Bridges programs to better support regional councils.
- $163.9 million to bolster biosecurity measures.
- $149.5 million over four years to expand access to, and eligibility for, the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme.
- $46.5 million over four years to substantially expand and enhance Headspace services, ensuring it can reach more young people across the State. This is on top of the $27.0 million previously invested in the service since July 2021.
- $743 million over five years to ensure NSW residents have access to the highest quality care and pain management services for end-of-life care.
- $5.8 billion over 10 years to introduce a high-quality universal pre-Kindergarten year for all children in New South Wales in the year before school by 2030.
- $16.5 billion over 10 years to break the barriers to opportunity for women and help give our children the best start in life including by investing in affordable and accessible childcare and creating a universal year of prekindergarten in the year before school.
- More than $7.2 billion in cost-of-living measures, including the Premier’s Back to School program and new Energy Bill Buster Program.
- $2.8 billion to help more families find a place to call home, including $728.6 million for tax reform to help people own their first home.
- $59 million to support Regional Youth including more Youth Community Coordinators and programs to boost youth employment.
“This is just a snapshot of the investment being made thanks to the NSW Nationals in government,” Ms Cooke said.
“I am very proud to be part of a team working hard to secure a brighter future for the seat of small communities, and I look forward to sharing more details about these Budget announcements over coming days.”
For more information about the 2022/23 NSW Budget please visit: 2022-23 NSW Budget Papers
