During both the state and federal election campaigns funding for two local projects dominated our headlines - the bypass and the cancer treatment room at Singleton Hospital.
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We are are sorry to report that following Tuesday's NSW budget neither project is going to be operational anytime soon.
Singleton, the much loved coal mining town for state and federal National Party politicians to visit during election campaigns, has been snubbed once again in the state budget.
Singleton Mayor Sue Moore has already been highly critical of the continuing absence of funding for her Local Government Area (LGA) saying that while the Berejiklian government boasted that the people of NSW can "have it all", it is clear that the people of Singleton, as well as the thousands of workers who travel in and out of our LGA each day, will not..
Federal member for Hunter Labor's Joel Fitzgibbon was quick to comment on the Budget saying Upper Hunter leaders and residents will be disappointed by the Berejiklian Government's failure to fulfil its pre-election promises to fund the Muswellbrook and Singleton bypasses.
"In the NSW Budget the Singleton bypass was ignored. All those who suffer the traffic jam through Singleton each day will be disappointed," he said.
"During the Federal election Anthony Albanese committed to fast tracking the Singleton bypass by pledging a Labor Government in Canberra would invest $250 million.
"Michael Johnsen's response was to criticise the announcement. We are still waiting."
Local member Mr Johnsen in his release on the Budget said "I was committed to delivering the promises made to our Upper Hunter Electorate communities in the recent state election, and am proud to be a Member of a government that keeps its word, both locally and across NSW."
But unfortunately for Singleton - the town's name is a notable absence from the release - no funding is mentioned specifically for the LGA.
NSW Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs Mick Veitch said: "The Government before the election said you could have it all - clearly yesterday's budget says that rural and regional NSW can't have it all.
"This is a budget from a city centric Government which has the wrong priorities for rural and regional NSW"
"Two pet projects in Inner Sydney are getting double the amount of the entire road and rail infrastructure spend in all of country NSW.
"The budget foreshadows further cuts to jobs - with almost $1 in $10 being ripped out of agencies budgets over the next 3 years. How can agencies like Local Land Services and Crown Lands function under these conditions?"