NEWLY-appointed NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has declared the wealth of the government will be shared equally across the state.
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The statement is meant to ease the concerns of rural and regional voters, who often say their needs always come second to those of their metropolitan counterparts.
But country voters have heard this all before and will remain sceptical until they see progress.
There are plenty of opportunities in the Tamworth electorate for Ms Berejiklian to live up her promise.
A number of projects have stalled and are waiting on the state government to provide funding.
Barnaby Joyce announced the federal government would provide $8.5m for Tamworth’s Northern Inland Sporting Centre of Excellence. However, the development still needs about $4.25m from the NSW government before it can be given the green light by Tamworth Regional Council.
Werris Creek is in desperate need of a new water treatment plant. Despite Quipolly Dam sitting a near capacity, Liverpool Plains Shire Council has been forced to implement level one water restricts for the town, to ease the burden on the outdated plant, which was built in the 1930s.
Once again, the federal government has put $10m towards the project, and council is ready to fork out several millions, but until the NSW government matches the federal government’s contribution, the development is on hold.
Gunnedah’s second rail overpass has been waiting four years for state government funding. In that time it has blown out from $16m to nearly $60m.
Ms Berejiklian said local infrastructure will be one of the three pillars of her government, along with housing affordability and a strong economy.
She clarified local infrastructure to mean infrastructure for all, “not just the mega projects of Sydney”.
She said she knew how much it meant to a country community when their dirt road was transformed into a bitumen one or when a new ward was added to the local hospital.
And it sounded like she really meant it – but will she back those words with action?
Her government has a $7.4 billion war chest – which she can claim some credit for due to her time as Treasurer – so she has the means and ability to fulfil her promise.
