A world-class rural health and medical research facility and a government department with 25 jobs are coming to Orange, it was announced in the federal budget on Tuesday night.
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The Institute for Regional, Rural and Remote Health and Medical Research will attract rural health researchers and form part of the Charles Sturt University-Western Sydney University joint program in medicine which includes the rural doctor school announced last year.
The facility, to be set up in the Orange Health Service precinct, was allocated $18 million in the budget.
It will focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health inequity, support ageing and aged care, improve child health and promote consumer-driven rural health research.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government wanted rural health solutions located in country areas which involved local people.
The government is proud to support this world-class facility in one of NSW's fastest growing regional cities.
- Greg Hunt, Health minister
"The government is proud to support this world-class facility in one of NSW's fastest growing regional cities," he said.
CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said it was a win for regional health services.
"It will deliver the crucial research that will not only continue to improve the training of rural medical practitioners but deliver discoveries that will create long term change for the health of Australians who live in the country," he said.
Member for Calare Andrew Gee said it would create job opportunities and help bridge the city-country gap.
"This announcement builds on our national reputation as a centre of medical excellence. It is especially significant as it comes on the back of the new CSU medical school announcement," he said.
It was also announced the Regional Programs Branch of the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities will move from Canberra to Orange.
It is responsible for the design and implementation of the government's infrastructure, transport and regional development policies and programs including the delivery of the Building Better Regions Fund and Community Development Grants program.
This follows this year's establishment in Orange of the Regional Investment Corporation where about 30 jobs were created.
Mr Gee said staff would be given the option to move to Orange.
"Should staff choose not to relocate, those positions will be advertised and there'll be jobs up for grabs for people living in the Central West."
He said the department would be seeking office space in Orange.
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