“Great news in the budget for local projects. $332 million allocated this year and $221 million next year to complete the duplication of the Pacific Highway by 2020, the Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said.
“Also both the Regional Growth Fund and the Building Better Regions Fund have had funding extensions. These are the Funds that I have obtained money for things like, the $15 million grant to Norco, Oakes, Crozier Oval upgrades, Casino Saleyards redevelopment, Maclean Riverside Precinct Upgrade, new Woolgoolga Surf Club and more. This means I can continue to get funding for these types of infrastructure upgrades in our community.
Also great to see the Bridge Renewal Program extended. This means more money for Kyogle and the Clarence Valley to repair bridges.
Mr Hogan said this year’s budget would also put money back into family budgets, create more local jobs and guarantee the essential services that we depend on as the Government continues to invest heavily in regional infrastructure.
“Immediate tax relief for low to middle income earners will help ease the financial pressures on families putting up to $2160 back in the pockets of dual income families and up to $1,080 for single income earners,” he said.
“For small to medium-sized businesses, we are also increasing the instant asset write-off threshold to $30,000.”
“We have been able to provide this relief as we have returned the budget to surplus for the first time in 12 years.
“This has been achieved by encouraging economic growth and job creation. Since 2013, we have created a record 1.3 million jobs. Over the next five years we will create a further 1.25 million jobs
“We will also continue to deliver record levels of funding for public, Independent and Catholic schools. We have committed $292 billion in total school recurrent funding from 2019 to 2029. Recurrent annual funding for schools will grow from $19.9 billion in 2019 to $32.4 billion in 2029.
“The Government is also committing record funding to health, with total spending expected to increase from $81.8 billion in 2019‑20 to $89.5 billion in 2022‑23.
“I am also particularly happy that we are investing more in Aged Care with $282.4 million for more Home Care packages to allow more people to receive care sooner.
Mr Hogan said other highlights included:
- $448.5 million to improve continuity of primary care and convenience for patients.
- $461 million for a national strategy to prevent suicide and promote mental wellbeing.
- $62.2 million the National Rural Generalist Pathway to deliver more rural generalists.
- $41 million to expand the Sporting Schools Program to more than 500 secondary schools and more than 5,200 primary schools.
- $284 million for a one-off payment of $75 for singles and $125 for couples to assist with your next power bill and cost of living expenses.
- $50.4 million to support feasibility studies into the development of new microgrids.
- $2 billion to establish the Climate Solutions Fund.
- $61.2 million for a new Energy Efficient Communities Program – grants for businesses and community organisations to improve energy consumption.
- $28.3 million for a new Communities Environment Program, providing $150,000 to each electorate for community led environment projects.
Some of the major projects Kevin Hogan has delivered for our community include:
- $15 million for expansion of Norco’s Ice-cream factory
- $17 million in grants for nine job-creating projects
- More than 300 new Aged Care beds
- New Headspace in Grafton
- Co-funding $7 million upgrade of Clarence Way
- $6 million for upgrade of Crozier and Oakes Oval
- New Northern Rivers Regional Art Gallery
- Expanded North Coast Regional Hockey Complex
- Maclean Riverside Precinct
- Casino Amphitheatre
- Southern Cross Lads Safe Driving Course
- Expansion of Summerland House Farm
- Woolgoolga Surf Life Saving Club
- Wollongbar Club House
- Kyogle Aquatic Centre
- Upgrade of Casino Saleyard
- Sealed road to Toonumbar Dam
- Repair of Woodburn to Coraki Road
- Coffs Harbour bypass
- Revitalisation of Kyogle Memorial Institute Hall
- Major upgrade of Culmaran Creek Road
- Upgrade of Harwood Mill and Refinery
- Replacing 20 wooden bridges in Kyogle
- Upgraded Albert Park Baseball Complex
- Upgrade of Casino Hospital Emergency Department
- Six new Trade Training Centres
- Record bulk billing rates
- Record funding for our local schools
- Record health funding
- Woodburn Riverside Precinct
- Casino Drill Hall Precinct
- More In-Home and Residential Aged Care place
