From the Office of the Mayor
Lithgow Mayor Maree Statham has welcomed the Federal Budget's attention toward regional Australia but called for real and urgent on-the-ground action in Lithgow.
Mayor Statham said, "The budget announcements spoke of unlocking growth prospects for industries and businesses, growing regional communities and capitalising on existing and emerging opportunities. These are noteworthy objectives which we agree with, but we are looking for more than words and long term programs."
"Our community is most interested in real, local outcomes as a matter of some urgency. Lithgow Council has been making this request of the Australian Government for some time now because we need to diversify our local job and investment opportunities beyond mining and power generation. "
Mayor Statham added, "I firmly believe that in Lithgow we can demonstrate on-the-ground action as promoted in the government's budget announcements. Look at the observations out of the Covid pandemic of the past few years and current events in Ukraine. We need to increase sovereign and local manufacturing because we cannot rely on world markets. I am told that we also need to enhance our national security. In Lithgow, both of these needs can be met. Let me tell you how."
"Thales has long been a major industry in this town. They have employed and skilled thousands of locals. They are highly specialised manufacturers. They are aspirational to grow their presence in Lithgow and employ more local people. Coinciding with this ambition, we have a national government that is committed to more regional development and local jobs, as well as enhancing our defence capabilities."
"When you purchase goods and services in Lithgow the jobs and the wages contribute positively to the local economy. Lithgow Council has adopted local purchasing policies for this reason. We see this as a positive investment."
"I call on the Australian Government to "walk the talk" within their budget announcements by investing in Lithgow's advanced defence industry manufacturing capabilities thus creating real and long term local jobs."
