The Minns Labor Government is investing $8.8 million into four Western and Far West NSW projects with funding from the Government's Regional Development Trust to promote economic growth and employment creation.
This is part of the Minns Government's plan to drive Western NSW's economic development and support job creation based on need and for projects that are ready to go.
Together with the co-contributions from the four successful applicants, these projects will inject up to $20.5 million of investment into the region.
These four projects will see Western NSW benefit from business infrastructure that will drive further economic benefits.
- $5 million - Critical Airport upgrades for Broken Hill
- Broken Hill City Council will increase the maximum strength and weight capacity of its tarmac and taxiway to accommodate larger planes.
- The improvements provide vital access to flights for business, education, essential goods, and health and emergency services for Broken Hill and surrounding areas.
- The upgrades will also boost tourism opportunities and contribute to long-term economic and sustainability goals for the region.
- Broken Hill City Council is providing a co-contribution of $1,000,000 towards the total project cost of $15.5 million and is working to secure the additional funding required before construction will commence.
- The Council is required to secure all necessary approvals and the additional funding within 12 months to enable the project to proceed.
- $1.8 million - Develop an on-Country cultural centre promoting native food tourism and education
- The Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council will develop the Narrabri Cultural Food Production, Education and Tourism Initiative.
- The centre will be a barn style air-conditioned shed with storage, landscaped gardens, bathroom facilities, seating for 100+ people set amongst three hectares of established native food gardens and river vegetation used for native food demonstrations.
- The project will allow for partnerships with local businesses to manage a commercial kitchen offering native paddock-to-plate training and opportunities.
- $1.24 million - Infrastructure upgrades to enhance the visitor experience at White Cliffs Caravan Park
- The project will see Central Darling Shire Council deliver essential replacements and upgrades at the White Cliffs Caravan Park including roads, caravan sites, solar power, signage, fencing and new landscaping.
- The upgrades and improvement will ensure that the caravan park is fit for purpose for the long-term and continues to add to the White Cliffs visitor economy.
- $799,999 - Fund Royal Far West to place eight allied health assistants in schools
- The project will provide funding for eight trained healthcare workers (Allied Health Assistants) to be placed in schools located in Wilcannia and Broken Hill to support developmentally vulnerable children.
- Over an 18-month period Royal Far West will also work with schools to train them on how to incorporate the Allied Health Assistants into their teams.
This funding is part of the NSW Government's approach to delivering sustainable and strategic investment with a focus on priorities that make a real difference to regional communities.
Investments from the Regional Development Trust are reviewed by the Regional Development Advisory Council, an independent body appointed by the Minister for Regional NSW to ensure regional communities are at the centre of government decision making.
Further announcements regarding other successful projects from the Regional Economic Development and Community Investment Program will be made in the coming months.
For more information, go to: nsw.gov.au/regionaldevelopmenttrust
Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
"This funding will create jobs, boost local businesses and improve services for communities in Western NSW as part of the Minns Government's plan to invest in smart projects that deliver long-term benefits.
"Funding to support upgrades at the Broken Hill Airport will mean bigger planes can land, helping locals stay connected to essential services and giving tourism and business a real boost.
"The White Cliffs Caravan Park is a key part of the local visitor economy, and these upgrades will make sure it will be well-equipped for years to come.
"Putting Allied Health Assistants into remote schools in Far Western NSW will give developmentally disadvantaged kids the support they need to thrive, so they can better engage with their communities and local opportunities.
"The new cultural food centre in Narrabri delivers another unique experience and place of interest for visitors and locals who can get to better understand and see local Aboriginal knowledge and food. Demand for this form of on-Country travel experience and training is growing and it's shown to also strengthen local communities."
Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:
"All of these initiatives are extremely welcome.
"Health and early intervention through Royal Far West for young people to assist in overcoming developmental issues in the Far West, maintaining cultural links with indigenous food production in Narrabri with a tourism angle, upgrading visitor infrastructure to encourage more people to visit and stay longer in White Cliffs, are all incredibly important in supporting local economies and communities.
"The airport upgrades in Broken Hill are something for which we've been advocating for a long time alongside Broken Hill City Council. The Mayor Tom Kennedy is absolutely correct, we now look to the federal government to supplement this funding for the ongoing viability of Broken Hill airport, allowing the vital work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service to continue and for larger aircraft with more passengers and cheaper fares to service Broken Hill.
"I will be heading to Canberra soon to talk to the federal minister about their contribution to the upgrades and many other projects.
"I want to thank the Minister Tara Moriarty and the NSW Government for this funding and look forward to further announcements and seeing these projects delivered."
Broken Hill Mayor Tom Kennedy said:
"This grant will provide an important platform from which to seek Federal financial support to make much-needed upgrades to our runway.
"Council has been pursuing Government funding for airport upgrades for many years, so it's great to see the level of support we've received from the NSW Government in contributing $5 million to the project and we thank the Premier and Minister for their support.
"There's going to be a significant increase in demand for air travel in the coming years as major mining and energy projects ramp up in the region, along with the tourism demand and it is critical that Broken Hill's airport infrastructure can handle that growth for the betterment of the region."
Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) CEO, Lynn Trindall, said:
"I am over the moon with this funding, it will assist us in designing and building a cultural education centre where young people can learn about bush foods, medicines and the protection of cultural heritage sites.
"We know many people haven't been taught about this and the funding gives us so many opportunities and we are so grateful.
"We are also looking forward to developing a commercial kitchen which will provide training opportunities, food and future pathways for our community."
Central Darling Shire Council Administrator, Bob Stewart, said:
"The upgrades will benefit the Caravan Park by making it an even more attractive destination and will also boost visitor numbers and create economic development and employment opportunities across the Far West, including supporting First Nations tourism at the nearby Mutawinji National Park.
"We also hope to see economic benefits flowing through to the economy with an increased number of visitors shopping locally in White Cliffs and the surrounding towns."
CEO of Royal Far West, Jacqueline Emery said:
"One of the most important outcomes of this project is creating real jobs in local communities. By training and employing Allied Health Assistants in far western NSW, we're building a skilled workforce that supports children, families and schools - right where they live.
"This funding helps us train and employ Allied Health Assistants in far western NSW schools, so children can get the help they need, close to home. It's a practical, community-led solution to a long-standing problem."
