$75 million Resources for Regions Round Eight

THE Deputy Premier and Leader of the NSW Nationals John Barilaro joined NSW Nationals candidate for the Upper Hunter David Layzelle and Singleton Mayor Cr Sue Moore at Singleton Rugby Club to make an announcement on the $75 million Resources for Regions Round Eight for council and community projects.

Mining communities across regional NSW are set to receive a greater share of mining royalties with Resources for Regions Round Eight applications now open for projects that will improve local amenities and infrastructure.

Mr Barilaro along with Mr Layzell in said Round Eight has been boosted to $75 million, which will help deliver even more projects that make a difference to 24 Local Government Areas across regional NSW.

“Round Eight of the Resources for Regions fund will build on the success of the previous round, which provided $50 million for 84 projects that helped create new jobs and stimulated local economies through infrastructure and program delivery,” Mr Barilaro said.

“We know that the mining industry can put extra pressure on local infrastructure in regional towns and this fund is about giving back to these mining communities that contribute so much to the NSW economy.

“You’ve heard me say there is more to come and here it is, another $75 million to fund projects and programs that will ensure our mining communities remain strong for generations to come.

Resources for Regions is a program that provides $75 million yearly to mining communities to improve local amenities such as roads and water. It also supports community resilience programs and social infrastructure such as local childcare centres and sports fields.

Since 2012, through Resources for Regions, more than $345 million has been contributed to 149 projects in mining communities.

Such projects have included the Scone CBD Revitalisation, the White Park Power Upgrade, the Cassilis Village Revitalisation and funding for the Murrurundi Art Gallery and Indigenous Centre business case.

The Royalties for Rejuvenation program, announced last month, will set aside $25 million each year into a future fund.

Mr Layzell says it’s a bold new plan to set aside a percentage of mining royalties in order to guarantee a safer and stronger future for coal mining communities for generations to come.

“Although Resources for Regions and Royalties for Rejuvenation are targeted programs for reinvesting mining royalties into mining communities, the benefits of mining royalties actually flow far deeper than that,” Mr Layzell said.

“In the 2019-20 financial year, the total value of mining production and exports reached $26.3 billion. Coal was the state’s largest export earner at $18 billion,” he said.

“That is $26.3 billion is reinvested into communities for critical infrastructure like hospitals, roads and schools and reinvested into our health and education system, creating safer and stronger regional communities.

“So while our targeted programs like Royalties for Rejuvenation safeguard funding for mining communities, our track record of reinvesting mining royalties back into regional communities runs far deeper than that.

This is just further proof the NSW Nationals in Government deliver for the people of the Upper Hunter and regional NSW.”

Photo: (L to R) Singleton Mayor Cr Sue Moore, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro, Singleton Rugby Club Secretary Cameron Williams and NSW Nationals Candidate David Layzell.