In last night’s budget, the Federal Government committed ongoing funding to RDA Hunter and the network of RDA Committees Australia-wide until 2018/19
RDA Hunter welcomes the announcement that the federal government is committing to the continuation of the RDA network Australia-wide for the next four years.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development confirmed “The Government will continue to provide funding for Regional Development Australia committees to support the economic development of their regions. Committees across the nation will receive $73.3 million over four years. The allocation for 2015–16 will be $18.3 million.”
“We are very pleased with the Federal government’s commitment to the future of Australia’s regions,” said RDA Hunter CEO, Todd Williams.
“RDA Hunter is continuing to build on our work and success of the last five years: maximising the Hunter’s comparative advantages, strengthening our capabilities to grow jobs and prosperity and building the Hunter’s profile as a smart location in which to live, work and invest.”
Funding for key infrastructure projects including the duplication of Tourle Street Bridge, Scone rail level crossing as well as programmes to support schools pathways programmes was also announced last night.
“We will continue working with stakeholders such as Infrastructure Australia and Infrastructure NSW as well as the Port of Newcastle and Newcastle Airport – key economic drivers for the region and the nation – on a business case for the funding of economic infrastructure such as the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace and the Singleton and Muswellbrook bypasses.”
“We welcome the government’s commitment to improving the region’s infrastructure. We’ve been working for some time on prioritising the Hunter’s infrastructure needs through our Hunter Economic Infrastructure Plan and are pleased that the projects will now be realised.
RDA Hunter also welcomes the Government’s commitment to schools pathways programmes and the development of STEM based curriculum. Programmes of this nature are vitally important to building a workforce that is qualified for the jobs of the future.” continued Mr Williams.
View the NBN Television news story
http://www.nbnnews.com.au/2015/05/13/mixed-reaction-to-budget-in-the-hunter-2/
View the NBN Television news story
http://www.nbnnews.com.au/2015/05/12/federal-budget-preview-the-hunters-wish-list/
The Hon Warren Truss MP
http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wt/releases/2015/May/wt137_2015.aspx