NSW member for Murray says the NSW Budget will increase the gap in living standards between Sydney and rural NSW. The NSW government delivered their 2020-21 budget Tuesday and according to Helen Dalton, there is little 'of substance' to revive small towns in the Riverina and Far West.
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"This should be called the Sydney budget, as it offers billions for Sydney projects," Mrs Dalton said in response to Tuesday's budget.
Mrs Dalton said the Budget is papered with recycled promises that make the government appear like they're delivering for regional NSW.
"The budget papers even highlight $500,000 for the Narrandera to Tocumwal Railway Line Activation," Mrs Dalton said.
"That's old money, spent on a feasibility study two years ago. They've kept that study secret and done nothing to re-start this vital rail line."
Rural NSW has been 'devastated by water mismanagement', COVID-19 and border closures, Mrs Dalton stated and expressed fears that young people will continue to leave Western NSW for Sydney without valuable investment in rural towns.
"The Government promised much-needed infrastructure across the Murray region," Mrs Dalton said.
"But they've just re-cycled previous announcements and allocated very little funding this year."
Mrs Dalton said there's almost nothing new for the Murray region.
"The government says it's spending $48 million in the Murray electorate, but more than 95 per cent of that is on the Echuca-Moama bridge, promised years ago."
Griffith will receive $13 million for the new Griffith Base Hospital and new allocations have been made to the Moama Police station and Coleambally teacher housing however, Mrs Dalton said there was no mention of support for the TAFE learning centre in Griffith.
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