ORANGE could benefit from a $20 billion state-wide infrastructure investment plan that will be put into action if the Liberals and Nationals win the next election.
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However, the investment plan will come at the expense of the poles and wires network, which the coalition intends to lease out to fund the upgrades.
NSW Premier Mike Baird and Deputy Premier Troy Grant announced they would role out the investment programs, including a $6 billion upgrade to regional NSW yesterday.
Mr Baird and Mr Grant said the NSW Government accepted all the recommendations for regional NSW outlined in Infrastructure NSW’s updated State Infrastructure Strategy.
The funding will include $3.7 billion for regional roads and bridges, $1 billion for water security projects, $400 million for country rail, $300 million to accelerate regional health projects, $300 million for regional school renewals and $300 million for regional tourism and environmental projects.
“We’re also planning to expand the highly successful Fixing Country Roads and Bridges for the Bush programs with another $700 million boost,” Mr Grant said.
Member for Orange Andrew Gee said the Rebuilding NSW plan would benefit the central west for generations to come, through the opportunity to build vital infrastructure.
“This plan is all about ensuring that our regional communities, like those in the Orange electorate, remain strong and vibrant for generations to come. The plan covers education, health, roads and water security, all key issues for people in country NSW.”
Mr Gee said more than $11.4 billion had been invested for roads, bridges and culverts in the electorate since coming into office, but more needed to be done.
“With significant upgrades now underway or on the books for the Newell, Great Western and Mitchell Highways, and a boost in funding for council-controlled roads, this is a great time to live and work in the central west,” he said.
The Central West, Orana and Far West NSW Business Chamber supports the initiative.
“Using the proceeds of the proposed poles and wires lease to fund essential transport, health and education projects across the state will boost jobs and growth opportunities, particularly in the central west, Orana and far west, where significant investment in infrastructure is long overdue,” regional manager Vicki Seccombe said.
REGIONAL households could face higher electricity prices if the state government privatises the poles and wires network, according to Country Labor Candidate for Orange Bernard Fitzsimon.
Mr Fitzsimon’s response came after Premier Mike Baird announced a major platform of his re-election campaign yesterday and gave voters an ultimatum that the Coalition would spend billions on infrastructure investment across the state if voters backed their plan to lease 49 per cent of the poles and wires network.
“They are cutting off our noses to spite our face for a little sugar hit at the cost of a future revenue stream,” Mr Fitzsimon said.
“Regional infrastructure is great and that’s what we’re after, but at what cost?
“We know for certain that privatisation will result in, firstly, job losses, we are already in a job crisis, we cannot afford for anymore jobs to be lost in regional areas.”
Mr Fitzsimon said the price of electricity, once privatised, would be decided by shareholders, not through the government regulatory body, which could lead to higher prices, as well as the loss of a valuable revenue stream.
“Keep the poles and wires in public hands and use the revenue stream as the basis of funding for regional growth,” he said.
When it came to providing for regional areas, Mr Fitzsimon said job creation and job security should be the main focus.
- Tanya Marshke
tanya.marschke@fairfaxmedia.com.au