Gunnedah will be putting in for its share of Resources for Regions money following an assurance it can still apply for the heftier funding next year.
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Gunnedah Shire mayor Owen Hasler told this month’s council meeting he had sought an assurance from NSW Regional Development Minister John Barilaro that if Gunnedah was successful this year, it could still apply for the big money next year.
“This funding has consisted of $208 million in the previous two rounds,” Cr Hasler told council.
“There was a relatively small amount available for 2015-16 of only $32 million.
“I asked Mr Barilaro, ‘will there be more next year – significantly more’?”
He said he was told that due to the 3 per cent of funding through Restart NSW, there should be significant funding in future years.
Gunnedah Shire Council has been an outspoken critic of the Resources for Regions fund in previous years, when it was not eligible to apply for the money which is aimed at communities impacted by mining.
The council has lobbied with the Association of Mining Related Councils to have the process changed.
The NSW government has now opened applications to any community affected by mining.
Cr Hasler had also been concerned that the NSW government was putting emphasis on funding for projects that went across more than one shire.
He said this would mean joint applications with neighbouring councils, leading to another level of negotiation.
But Cr Hasler told council he had been assured applications by individual councils would not be disadvantaged.
He was also told that if Gunnedah was successful in obtaining funding through Resources for Regions, it could still apply for a share of the bigger money next year.
“Gunnedah Shire Council will make a submission for 2015-16 Resources for Regions funding emphasising how we are impacted by mining activities,” Cr Hasler said.
“The staff are already in the process of putting this together by the due date of April 14.”
Cr Colleen Fuller welcomed the change in guidelines.
“I think we are one of the oldest mining areas in the region and we didn’t get one cent in 14 years,” she said.
“I think it’s about time we got some money.”
In 2014-15, $80.2 million was spent on eight projects including the Broken Hill Civic Centre ($5.1 million), renovation of Maitland’s High Street ($9.9 million), and a $20 million upgrade of the Muswellbrook Hospital.
Gunnedah was not eligible to apply for funding because most of the mines in the area are just outside the shire boundaries, although many workers live in the Gunnedah area and mines use the roads.
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has said the wider application process was good news for Gunnedah.
“Mining is an important contributor to the NSW economy, but it puts extra pressure on community infrastructure and services,” Mr Anderson said.
“Previously Resources for Regions was only available to local government areas that had a mine located within their boundaries however we know that mining has an effect on surrounding communities as well which is why I fought to have the program expanded.
“Now towns like Gunnedah have an opportunity to access the funding where they previously couldn’t.”