Communities suffering under severe drought conditions will benefit from accelerated funding for critical town water projects, as well as other shovel-ready infrastructure projects. Shovel-ready projects that could be funded include regional airport upgrades, activation of industrial lands and CBD revitalisation projects.
The Nationals in Government have committed to a $170 million Drought Infrastructure Package that includes:
- up to $120 million to fast track identified major infrastructure projects
- $30 million on a new groundwater supply for Dubbo
- $8.2 million construction of a second water storage at Nyngan
- $2.2 million to augment bore water supply at Coonabarabran
- $2 million for Albert Priest Channel critical maintenance
- $1.97 million towards the Coolamon Industrial Estate development
Leader of the Nationals, Deputy Premier John Barilaro MP said there is a need to fast track investment in local infrastructure to keep businesses open and jobs in towns.
“Every dollar spent by farmers at their local store helps keep someone employed in that business and a family in town,” Minister Barilaro said.
Funding from the 2019-20 NSW Budget will also extend emergency drought support for farmers.
An additional $185 million will go towards on-farm drought support, including:
- transport subsidies
- waiver of Local Land Services rates
- waiver of fixed charges for NSW Water Licences
- emergency water carting
- waiver of interest charges for Farm Innovation Fund loans
For more information about Drought Assistance packages visit the Department of Primary Industries Drought Hub https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub
