"ISN'T Tamworth worth it?"
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That's the question Tamworth businessman Mitch Hanlon was left asking when he found out the state government slashed its commitment to fund a university in Tamworth, leaving the development $16 million short.
Mr Hanlon has been a driving force behind the campaign, and said disappointment was an understatement.
"Allocating half the required funds is almost as bad not providing any," Mr Hanlon said.
"It seems tokenistic and seems to me that the people of Tamworth aren’t as deserving as our cousins living in the metropolitan cities, the coastal cities or the other inland Evocities.
"I’d like to know why we aren’t worth $43 million. The state government received $4.2 billion from the sale of Snowy Hydro. Surely they can afford the remaining $16 million."
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Everyone from Tamworth mayor Col Murray to New England MP Barnaby Joyce was taken by surprise when the NSW government announced it would provide $26.6 million for University of New England campus - not the $43 million that had been expected.
"I understand the required $10 million from the federal government was close to being allocated today," Mr Hanlon said.
"If so, it seems ironic that state funding is almost halved whilst the last funding link is obtained.
"We are an underprivileged community and being treated like one."
Mr Hanlon said he would now turn his attention to where the missing $16 million would come from.
"That’s a question all stakeholders need to address including the state government," he said.
"I’ll be working with UNE and council to explore options."
Mr Hanlon and the Tamworth university reference group met with Cr Murray at the weekend to discuss a way forward.
"This isn't the end of the campaign. We will find the money somewhere," Mr Hanlon said.