Singleton Local Government Area(LGA) sends down to Macquarie Street each year $340 million in mining royalties from the district's 18 coal mines.
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Year in year out this LGA has been providing the lions share of mining royalties to the NSW Government in fact it is one of the country's biggest sources from a council when it comes to mining royalties.
But we currently receives less than one per cent back in funding from the State Government which has angered NSW Shadow Minister for Local Government Greg Warren who was visiting the Upper Hunter on Thursday.
Mr Warren was highly critical of the State Government but also the local member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen saying he fails to fight for Singleton.
"He shows no passion or dedication for Singleton which is simply unacceptable," he said.
"The Resources for Regions Program, established to provide funding for mining affected communities in NSW, has $30 million just sitting waiting to be allocated at a time when Council's like Singleton need all support they can given the drought and the need to boost economic activity in rural and regional areas."
"The NSW Nationals is treating the community of Singleton with utter contempt.
In 2018 Singleton Council lodged two applications for grants under the Resources for Regions program - but was unsuccessful in both.
In 2019 another application was rejected while a second had to be funded through the drought fund - not the Resources for Regions scheme.
"Singleton deserves a fair slice on the funding pie and it's about time the state government dished it up," he said.
Singleton's Deputy Mayor Tony Jarrett said the LGA made a significant contribution to the state's mining royalties but received little back in the way of funding.
"We are the most mine affected community in the state just look at the traffic congestion as an example," he said.
"We simply want our fair share of funding from Resources for Regions put back in the community to ensure Singleton remains a liveable town and town that can look to the future."
Commenting on the drought Mr Warren said he had undertaken a tour of the state speaking to as many councils as possible.
"In some of the worst drought impacted areas Councils are faced with a 40 per cent default on land rates - it is incredibly hard for them to maintain services and the state government is doing nothing to assist these councils," he said.
"I believe in a balanced budget but why have a surplus when regional and rural NSW is crying out for assistance in the worst drought ever recorded.
"Funds spent now will help so many people in these areas - get that water flowing to Murrurindi for example."