The disappointment of the most recent Resources For Regions announcements still fresh in our minds - when no money came our way - Singleton Council has lodged two robust applications in the latest round of the NSW Government program.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Singleton Town Centre Revitalisation Project Stage 2B and Singleton Roads Upgrade Program including four projects targeting the roads workers use to access the mines and other mining-related employment amount to a combined total of $13,353,000. We consider there should be no co-contributions required under the fund. However, as a demonstration of the importance of these projects, Council will contribute 50 per cent of the cost and has made application for the remaining $6,676,000 under the Resources For Regions fund. That’s from a local government area with 17 coal mines in operation producing $5.6 billion of regional mining exports, and contributing to a Gross Regional Product of $4.8 billion. If that’s not a snapshot of a mining-affected community, then what is?
What’s more, the projects meet the objectives of the Resources For Regions program, and then some. Following on from previous investments in John Street and Ryan Avenue, Singleton Town Centre Revitalisation Project Stage 2B addresses mining traffic management, contributes to the attractiveness of the town centre, will improve safety and travel times. The $4,853,000 project includes improvements to the intersection of New England Highway and Campbell Street to enhance heavy vehicle movements; upgrade of Baileys Union Park; and feature lighting of heritage buildings in the vicinity of Campbell Street on the New England Highway. The $8,500,000 Singleton Road Upgrade Program includes Glendonbrook Road Rehabilitation; Elderslie Road approaches; Cessnock Road bridge replacement; and Moses Crossing approach upgrade. These projects are critical to ensuring vital routes remain open and improving safety and travel times for the 9,070 workers living outside the Singleton LGA who rely on these roads to get to work.
Our LGA contributes more to mining output than any other in this State. and, given the quality of the projects, our significant financial contribution and the obvious benefits to the community, I respectfully submit to the Deputy Premier John Barilaro and the member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen that there is no reason Singleton could be overlooked this time around.
