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Resources for Regions program to provide ECEC services in mining communities
Freya Lucas
Dec 03, 2020
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Work to deliver $50 million worth of projects and programs that improve the lives of people in mining communities, including through the creation of early childhood education and care (ECEC) facilities across regional NSW will soon get underway, via round seven of the NSW Government’s Resources for Regions program.
84 individual projects in 24 mining related Local Government Areas will be funded by Resources for Regions round seven, New South Wales Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro announced recently. As well as ECEC services, projects being funded include new and upgraded infrastructure such as roads, water and sewerage systems, resilience community programs and social infrastructure such as sports fields.“I listened to the needs of mining communities and organisations and took action and the revamped program is funding a broader range of projects and ensures all mining-affected towns are guaranteed a fairer share of funding,” Mr Barilaro said.
Alongside the successful 2020 projects, $75 million will be available for new projects through Resources for Regions round eight in 2021.
“Every year our mining towns make a significant contribution to the NSW economy, but we recognise that this success can put extra pressure on local infrastructure,” he added.
“From roads across the Hunter and Central West, to upgrades to airports at Cobar and Narrabri, this program has made a real difference to the lives of people in mining communities, but there’s still plenty more to do.”
The Minister hopes the investment will not only help to create new jobs and drive economic growth, but also deliver lifestyle improvements and enrich the wellbeing of communities “for generations to come”.
Resources for Regions round seven is part of the $2 billion Regional Growth Fund, designed to support growing regional centres, activate local economies and improve services and social and sporting infrastructure for regional communities.
More information about the Resources for Regions program is available here.
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