Tuesday, 29 June 2018
Budget delivers for Inverell Hospital, Police Station & water pipeline
HOSPITALS, police stations, roads, schools, agricultural research and water infrastructure will see unprecedented levels of funding across the Northern Tablelands, thanks to a record-breaking 2018-19 NSW Budget, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced today.
Mr Marshall said a capital spend of almost $259 million over the next 12 months, surpassed last year’s record spend of $220 million in the electorate.
“This is record-breaking funding – never before has the Northern Tablelands experienced a funding package like this,” Mr Marshall said. “More than a quarter of a billion dollars has been allocated for projects in the Northern Tablelands.
“From our largest towns to our smallest villages, this budget will fund projects that will build and renew infrastructure, provide new and enhanced services and make life easier for residents across the Northern Tablelands.
“We have the money we need to better our hospitals, invest in schools, secure water infrastructure, invest in roads around the electorate, build community facilities, upgrade youth resources, support agricultural research and development and improve police facilities.
“This is all due to our proactive local councils and their communities working together and being persistent in lobbying government for their fair share for these important projects that will enhance our region.
“Full credit goes to the community, they have earned this result today.”
Some of the key projects that have been funded in the Northern Tablelands include $55 million for Inverell Hospital Stage One and Two, $12.375 million for the Guyra to Malpas Water Pipeline, $8.52 million to start the knock-down-rebuild of the Inverell Police Station, $2 million for Moree PCYC and $2.1 million for the Glen Innes Glasshouse Facility.
There’s also $60 million in new roads funding as well as ongoing money to start construction on Armidale Secondary College, the first new high school to be built in our region for half a century and the best in all of NSW.
“This Budget has also delivered the Payroll Tax relief businesses have been crying out for and a $200 million dollar investment in preschool funding for three-year-olds,” Mr Marshall said.
“Schools around the State will get much needed air-conditioning infrastructure and the drought package was also extended.
“I am also delighted with the 100,000 free apprenticeships the government will offer, which many in our region will take advantage of.”
“$259 million is a staggering amount and the Northern Tablelands deserves every cent. It is our time to grow and thrive, and I can’t wait to see the avalanche of new projects we can start thanks to this record funding.
“The Northern Tablelands is a vital driver of the state’s cultural and economic landscape. This record $259 million budget will help move our region forward – and I’ll ensure we keep that momentum going across the next 12 months.”
Some of the budget highlights for the Northern Tablelands include:
- $65 million to build a new 1,500 student high school in Armidale, Armidale Secondary College;
- $60 million to fully fund both stages of the Inverell District Hospital redevelopment;
- $8.52 million to build a new 24-hour Police Station in Inverell;
- New Service NSW to be built in Moree;
- $12.38 million to construct the Malpas Dam to Guyra water pipeline;
- $5 million to upgrade Aboriginal Housing in Moree and across the Northern Tablelands;
- $2.1 million to upgrade the Glen Innes DPI Agricultural Research Station;
- $2 million to upgrade Moree PCYC;
- $1.66 million to upgrade social housing across the Northern Tablelands
- $60 million to fund road upgrades across the Northern Tablelands, including:
- $26.7 million to commence construction of the Newell Highway heavy duty pavement upgrade between Mungle Back Creek and Boggabilla;
- $10 million for major safety improvements, including audio-tactile line marking and shoulder sealing, on New England Highway between Uralla and Armidale;
- $1.28 million for heavy duty pavement on Newell Highway, north of Moree;
- $1.55 million for pavement repair on Waterfall Way near Wollomombi and Metz (east of Armidale);
- $3.5 million to seal first section of Main Road 507 (Carrigan Road) between Boomi and Mungindi;
- $4.62 million dollars for pavement repair on New England Highway at Tutts Gully, University Farm, Guyra, south of Armidale and Stonehenge, south of Glen Innes;
- $743,000 for draining improvements on Gwydir Highway at Gibraltar Range, east of Glen Innes;
- $950,000 for pavement repair on Gwydir Highway near Inverell;
- $2.5 million for Newell Highway overtaking lanes in Moree Plains Shire;
- $59,000 for the upgrade of Heber and Auburn Streets intersection in Moree.
- $44 million in Restart NSW funding for the Northern Tablelands, including water supply projects at Biniguy, Ashley, Moree and Bundarra;
- $626,000 to provide community transport and support to aged people and those with disabilities in Uralla Shire;
- $3.27 million to Inverell Shire Council for road maintenance;
- $1.76 million to Moree Plains Shire Council for road maintenance;
- $1.95 million to Gwydir Shire Council for road maintenance;
- $1.53 million to Armidale Regional Council for road maintenance;
- $1.22 million to Uralla Shire Council for road maintenance;
- $607,000 to Glen Innes Severn Council for road maintenance;