Vital community projects in every local government area in regional NSW are under threat, with the Labor government refusing to rule out scrapping the hugely successful Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF).
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh has urged Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty to stand up for local communities and roll out the $90 million in funding that had been set aside by the previous government for the next round of the program.
“Every day we’re reminded of the success of this program, and how it has made a really meaningful difference to the lives of people living in communities across the Coffs Coast,” said Mr Singh, Shadow Minister for Tourism, Emergency Services and the North Coast.
“In the most recent round alone, this fund contributed $797,308 for pool heating upgrades at Coffs Harbour War Memorial Olympic Pool, $350,000 to upgrade the electricity supply at Coffs Harbour Showground and $109,954 for the Girl Guides Sawtell Hall upgrade, to name a few.
“If Premier Minns and Minister Moriarty scrap this program, they’re showing contempt for the people of regional NSW and saying we don’t deserve the same kind of amenities those in the city take for granted.”
NSW Nationals leader and Shadow Minister for Regional NSW Dugald Saunders said the Stronger Country Communities Fund is an important program that provides the infrastructure required to ensure regional communities thrive.
“This program was established by the former Coalition government in 2017, and since then has seen $660 million invested into more than 2500 projects across the bush. It’s been vitally important for regional communities,” Mr Saunders said.
“We know in some cases there are projects that simply wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the funding the former Coalition government invested in this program. If Labor walks away from the Stronger Country Communities Fund it’s letting down every regional community in NSW.”
