2pm: And that wraps it up for our rolling budget coverage folks - There'll be more budget information in your editions of The Northern Daily Leader, Namoi Valley Independent, Armidale Express, Tenterfield Star, Glen Innes Examiner, Inverell Times, Moree Champion and Walcha News.
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1.50pm:
The state budget announcement has been described as a "cautious one" from Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian. Read more about it here.
1.30pm:
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has welcomed the 2016-17 NSW State Budget with $56.3million being directly allocated to the Tamworth electorate
Mr Anderson said this continued investment is a real sign that the NSW Government recognises the important role that our region plays in the state economy.
“Prior to the release of the budget I stated that education would play an important role in the further development of our region which is why I am pleased to announce that tenders will go out for the refurbishment of the boarding facilities at Farrer High School and also for a refurbishment of the Gunnedah TAFE campus, as part of our Gunnedah TAFE strategy.”
Other key funded projects within this year’s budget include:
- $1.8million for the Gunnedah Police Station upgrade
- $5.798million for the continuation of the Tamworth Hospital redevelopment
- $2.5million to upgrade the Oxley Highway between Tamworth and Gunnedah
- $1.664million for social housing upgrades
- $4 million for the second Gunnedah overpass
1.20pm: There's reports Gunnedah will receive $1.8 million to fund its new police station.
1.15pm:
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall is obviously very happy about the Armidale Hospital news.
1.10pm:
Gunnedah has been mentioned to take out a share of $57 million for either new or upgraded police stations across the state - we're working on getting a figure for you of how much the town's station will receive.
This just in from roads minister Duncan Gay:
- $6.3 million of upgrades on the Oxley Highway, including completing planning and commencing construction of a second road over rail bridge in Gunnedah
- $46 million for upgrades on the Newell Highway, including realignment works at Grong Grong and Trewilga, building and planning for new overtaking lanes, heavy duty pavement upgrades, planning for a bypass of Parkes, and planning for improvements at Coonabarabran and Dubbo
1PM:
The Oxley, New England and Newell Highways will be upgraded as part of a $2.1 billion boost to upgrade key regional highways.
Meanwhile
Minister for Corrections David Elliott today announced $14.5 million would be spent over three years to expand an early intervention program for young offenders into our region.
Almost 90 per cent of young people who have completed the Youth on Track program have either stabilised or reduced their contact with Police, and 53 per cent reduced their offending after three months.
The 2016-17 Budget will fund the expansion of the program to three new areas - Central West, Coffs/Clarence and New England. It will also fund the continuation of Youth on Track at existing sites in Blacktown, the Hunter and Mid North Coast.
Under Youth on Track, Police and teachers refer young people aged 10-17 who they consider at risk of long-term involvement in the criminal justice system. After an assessment, the young person receives one-on-one case management and personalised assistance.
12.50pm:
More great news for our health network with $17 million towards the new NSW Ambulance Helicopter Retrieval Network which commences in January 2017 and will provide 12 new helicopters and doctors on every flight operating out of bases at Newcastle, Tamworth, Orange, Wollongong, Canberra, Lismore and Bankstown
12.45pm:
And great news for this University city with $26 million allocated towards the Armidale Hospital redevelopment while Inverell Hospital will receive a share of $11 million in capital works projects.
"This funding will allow construction to begin on the $60 million Armidale Hospital redevelopment and planning work on the Inverell Hospital redevelopment," Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has said.
"I'm delighted to see another huge investment in improving the Newell and New England Highways - they are vital freight and tourism links for our region."
12.40pm:
And here's a state wide story map of WHO gets what - we're working on getting you more details of local budget announcements soon.
12.30pm:
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals are getting on with the job of delivering for regional NSW. This year’s Budget continues the investment in the Tamworth Hospital Stage 2 redevelopment, includes funding for a new police station at Gunnedah and helps improve our local schools.” - Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has said of the latest announcements.
Here's a look at where the money will be spend across NSW.
12.15pm:
The announcements are coming thick and fast, here's some of the funding allocations we know about so far.
- $5.8 million in 2016-17 towards Stage 2 of the Tamworth Hospital Redevelopment.
- $4.8 million in 2016-17 to complete the Moree East Public School upgrade.
- $4 million to start construction of the second bridge over the railway line at Gunnedah.
- Commencing the $1 million construction of a new fire station at Parkes with $0.3 million allocated in 2016-17.
- Completing the upgrade of the Narrabri Public School.
- Continuing work on the Gulgong and Nyngan Fire Stations.
- Interchange upgrades at Dubbo, Orange and Tamworth.
11.30am: TWO months on from an eventful Federal budget, budget day has arrived for the state of New South Wales.
As our region waits to find out what will come from today's announcement, our local politicians are keeping tight lipped on if what is in their budget wish lists would be revealed.
For those in the Tamworth electorate, here's what Kevin Anderson hoped would come out of today's announcements: Click here.
Meanwhile Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has his own wishlist for his electorate. Check it out here.
Stay tuned, we'll be bringing you the latest on the budget announcements from our area shortly.