Mining shires not previously included in the hotly contested Resources for Regions program had Gunnedah to thank for the government’s change of heart, incoming Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said this week.
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Deputy Premier Troy Grant announced during the election campaign the program would be extended to all mining-impacted communities.
Mr Anderson said Gunnedah’s campaigning had changed the government’s mind.
“We put Gunnedah in the Resources for Regions box,” he said.
“We did that – Gunnedah did that.
“Gunnedah played the role in leading the charge to get mining communities in the mix. Gunnedah has done a lot of work.”
Despite its percentage of people employed in mining or mining-related industries – put as high as 50 per cent in some estimates – Gunnedah missed out on the first two rounds of Resources for Regions funding.
The program was established by the NSW government to help provide infrastructure in communities impacted by the mining industry.
The government committed more than $75 million to regional infrastructure projects in the 2013-14 second around of the Resources for Regions program.
Funding was provided for projects including $10.2 million for a new waste water treatment plant in Lithgow, $2 million for developments at Mudgee Airport, and $4 million for the Upper Hunter Tertiary Education Centre.
Over the four years of the program, the government had committed to $160 million in infrastructure funding.
The government has not yet announced the revised criteria for the program.
Gunnedah Shire mayor Owen Hasler said yesterday Gunnedah had campaigned hard to bring about the change.
“We have made it quite clear – especially following the last program when we came in at 11th place [in the shire rankings] that we would be angry if we weren’t going to be included in future programs,” Cr Hasler said.
“It certainly was a result of us lobbying the Deputy Premier with the assistance and support of Kevin Anderson who facilitated meetings and attended them.”
He said he had made similar pleas through the Association of Mining-Related Councils.
Cr Hasler said he awaited the new criteria, and was keen to find out whether the level of funding for each project would be continued.
“We are confident we will meet those criteria, but this all depends on the allocation of money they put in,” he said.
“In the past, about 10 councils have shared in about $170 million, meaning an amount of about $10 million each.
“We would hope that the same sort of amount will be allowed for projects within that program.”
Deputy Premier Troy Grant said during the state election campaign that the criteria had yet to be released, but that Gunnedah would be part of the funding package.
