Thursday, 6 August 2020
FIVE local councils in the Northern Tablelands are in the running to unlock millions of dollars in State Government funds to improve parks and public spaces, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today welcoming the announcement of the $250 million NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program.
As part of the State Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan, local councils which focus on speeding up development assessments for projects that deliver jobs and housing will be eligible for funding for parklands, town squares and main streets.
Mr Marshall said this was an opportunity for Armidale Regional, Uralla, Glen Innes Severn, Moree Plains and Tenterfield Shire Councils to make something good out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Public Spaces Legacy Program is like a game show which no one can lose,” Mr Marshall said.
“All these councils have to do is show the Department of Planning how they will accelerate important local projects, improve assessment timeframes and then deliver, and its pay day for their communities.
“By prioritising development applications that will create jobs and encourage development, Armidale Regional Council could find itself with the top prize of $3 million, while for each of the other smaller local government areas there is $2 million up for grabs.
“This is the time for councils to instigate positive change for their communities, by not only cutting red tape but delivering parks and public places which make their towns and villages more liveable for residents.
“Every job created by speeding up the development process is a win in a rural town during this difficult period, and so really there is no losing with this scheme.”
Councils which adopt a Local Acceleration Program have between 1 September 2020 and 30 June 2021 to improve their activity.
This new program is only available to the 68 councils currently participating in the e-planning system.
For more information about the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program and to see if your council is eligible visit www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/publicspaceslegacy