Ballina MP and minister for the north coast Don Page says the region’s schools and hospitals will benefit from yesterday’s state budget.
And he has indicated that some planning money will be available for the long-awaited Byron Central Hospital.
‘On the north coast, $10.7 million will be allocated this year for the Port Macquarie Hospital as part of a $110 million redevelopment, $3.9 million will be spent this year in planning for Lismore Hospital Stage 3 project and Byron Bay Central Hospital, as well as $4.2 million on the jointly funded upgrade and expansion of the orthopaedic ward and medical imaging areas at Grafton Base Hospital,’ Mr Page said.
‘In education, the north coast will continue to benefit from recurrent spending of $752 million.
‘Work also continues on the new Technology and Applied Studies building and canteen at Kyogle High School, as well as the upgrades and refurbishments of Kingscliff and Murwillumbah TAFEs.
‘The NSW government has committed more than $200 million next year to improve the services for people with a disability, their families and carers, and older people on the north coast,’ Mr Page said.
The commitment includes $28.6 million for the second year of ‘Stronger Together Two’, the NSW government’s five-year, $2 billion strategy to reform disability services. To expand and improve accommodation for people with disabilities $8.2 million has be allocated for capital spending next year.
A further $30 million will boost the $70 million already committed to help local councils pay for much-needed upgrades and maintenance of infrastructure, as part of the Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme.
The scheme provides councils an interest subsidy for a period of up to 10 years on significant loans taken out specifically to pay for backlog infrastructure projects such as roads, community halls, libraries, paths, parks, sports fields and water facilities.
