Treasurer and Member for Bega Andrew Constance said the 2014-15 Budget would boost infrastructure and services in the South East, with funding to continue upgrades to the Princes Highway and increased spending on help.
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Mr Constance delivered the Budget in Parliament today, and said after three years repairing Labor’s mess, the NSW Budget is powerfully positioned to deliver the services people are right to expect.
“When we came to office in 2011 – NSW lagged on all economic fronts,” Mr Constance said.
“We were lagging on jobs growth, productivity, housing approvals and business confidence.
“In three short years we have seen NSW rise again to become the powerhouse of the nation – we are growing three times the rate of Queensland and Victoria, housing approvals are at their highest levels in over a decade and the unemployment rate is the second lowest in the nation.”
Mr Constance said the 2014-15 Budget included funding for the following projects in the Bega electorate:
Roads:
• $1.8 million to continue planning for the realignment of the Princes Highway at Dignams Creek
• $5 million for the widening of bridge over Bemboka River on Snowy Mountains Highway
(Bridges for the Bush)
• $20 million for Kings Highway safety works (over three years, including $4 million already announced, to be completed by 2016)
Health:
• $911,000 to continue works on the new $2.9 million Bega Ambulance Station;
• $72.5 million to continue works on $187.1 million South East Regional Hospital;
• $1.6 million to relocate the Eurobodalla Renal Dialysis and Oncology Clinics at Moruya;
Disability Services:
• $1 million for completion of a five-bed villa model in Bega
• $1 million for completion of 5 x 1 bed villas in Batemans Bay
Environment:
• $517,000 allocated in 2014-15 to complete the re-roofing of the Montague Island Light Station residences. The project was commenced in 2013-14 with $500,000 allocated in the first year.
The Bega electorate will also get a share of the $61 million for Local Land Services to deliver services and advice to farmers, landholders and communities across rural and regional NSW, including:
• $600,000 for installation of new floating pontoons (stage 2) at Bermagui Boat Harbour, and upgrade of piled moorings at Sinclair Cove.
• $200,000 to complete design for repairs to the mooring jetty and working jetty at Bermagui Harbour.
• $100,000 to upgrade the unloading wharf at Narooma.
• $180,000 for Bega Valley water supply Bega pipeline construction as part of the Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is also supporting businesses to grow with a further reduction to WorkCover premiums, with employers to benefit from an average premium rate reduction of five per cent,” Mr Constance said.
“This is on top of the average 12.5 per cent rate reductions delivered in 2013.
“We’re also providing $100,000 in additional funding for the Bega electorate through the Community Building Partnership program. This will allow more community groups and councils to receive funding that will provide positive social, recreational and environmental outcomes in the local community."
