The Mid-Western Region will receive $32 million in upgrades over the next four years thanks to state government programs and coal mine contributions.
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Between the Cobbora Transition Fund and the Resources for Regions program, the state government will fund around $22 million of work in the region, with a further $10 million coming from coal companies.
Funding recently allocated to the region includes $16.2 million for the upgrade of Ulan and Cope Roads, $2 million for the upgrade of Mudgee Airport, $1 million for a new childcare and preschool centre, $2.6 million for upgrades to Fairydale and Saleyards Lanes, and $400,000 towards Gulgong’s Red Hill mining history precinct.
Member for Orange Andrew Gee this week visited Mudgee to celebrate the boost for a region that will leave his electorate with next year’s state election.
The airport is only going to expand and become more important in the future.
- Member for Orange, Andrew Gee
“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you all,” he said at Mudgee Airport yesterday.
“This is a wonderful part of the world and I’m really going to miss it.”
Mr Gee said the Mudgee region contributed more than its fair share to the growth of NSW and it was only fair that it should benefit from the state’s wealth through the Cobbora Transition Fund and Resources for Regions.
“Funding like this doesn’t come around very often and I believe that these projects will make a real difference to the lives of people in the Mudgee and Gulgong areas,” Mr Gee said.
“It’s a prosperous, growing community and I’m delighted the NSW government is able to lend a hand to keep its growth continuing.”
Mr Gee commended Mid-Western Regional Council for its lobbying on Macquarie Street.
To get things done, he said local government had to be like terriers, and this council was like terriers.
“I think it shows if you’re persistent enough and you have a united effort you can achieve those results,” he said.
“The Resources for Regions program and Cobbora Transition Fund have recognised the impact that mining has on our region, and have provided us with assistance to manage that strain,” said mayor Des Kennedy.
“While we’re benefited by the strong growth in the region as a result of mining, we are also challenged with managing that growth.
“As a result, there are several high priority infrastructure projects that council will need to undertake in future years, many of which wouldn’t be possible without this support from the state government.”
He said the Ulan Road upgrade in particular had been a long battle, and he credited Colleen Holland for collecting the petition signatures that drew attention to the problem at a government level.
He said the next long-term battle would be bringing commercial flights back to Mudgee Airport, which Mr Gee agreed was vital to Mudgee’s growth.
“The airport is only going to expand and become more important in the future,” Mr Gee said.
Work began two months ago on Cope Road between Gulgong and Ulan, and council has new teams and equipment ready to go to work on Ulan Road.
The upgrade of Fairydale Lane and Saleyards Lane, funded by the Cobbora Transition Fund, is ready to begin.
Work has already begun on the Red Hill mining history precinct in Gulgong, through a $50,000 grant matched by $50,000 of council’s funds, and thanks to $400,000 from the Cobbora Transition Fund, the project should be completed by mid-2015.
