A WINDFALL of $75 million in capital expenditure for the Northern Tablelands electorate was announced last week in the 2013-14 NSW Budget.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said the majority of the funding would be spent on upgrades to roads, bridges and traffic management across the Tablelands.
Mr Marshall also welcomed changes announced to Payroll Tax and the continuation of the successful First Home Owners Grant.
“With the payroll tax threshold for businesses being raised from $689,000 to $750,000, around 1300 businesses will no longer pay the tax and those that do will be more than $3000 better off – that’s great news for local businesses,” Mr Marshall said.
“I am also very pleased that the successful First Home Owners Grant of $15,000 will be continued for at least another two years as it’s particularly helpful for rural people entering the housing market for the first time.”
Commenting on the overall budget, his first since being elected, Mr Marshall said it showed the government was living within it means and reducing debt in challenging economic conditions.
“Despite this, the budget delivers a record amount of expenditure in the areas of critical importance, such as infrastructure, education and health,” he said.
“I now look forward to working closely with all the communities in the Northern Tablelands to ensure our interests get the attention they deserve over the next 12 months and beyond.”
Breakout:
Budget highlights for Northern Tablelands include:
$500,000 to begin the process of replacing Emu Crossing Bridge on Thunderbolts Way at Bundarra (as first stage of the $3.5 million commitment made during the By-election by Roads Minister Duncan Gay).
$5.4 million in capital upgrades and maintenance of rail lines, level crossings and rail station carparks.
$599,000 for social housing improvements.
$160,000 for upgrades to state properties in Armidale.
$180,000 for an upgrade of the Walcha Courthouse.
$29 million for improvement works to State Roads.
$9.6 million in grants to local councils for Regional Roads.
$2.72 million for road resurfacing on New England Highway.
$1 million for road rebuilding on New England Highway south of Guyra.
$500,000 for road rebuilding on Oxley Highway east of Walcha.
$500,000 for road rebuilding on Waterfall Way at Armidale.
$1.58 million for road resurfacing at various locations on Bruxner and Gwydir highways and Waterfall Way.
$1.55 million for restoration of natural disaster damage to roads and bridges.
$314,000 for the Uralla-based Tablelands Community Transport.
$25,000 for Walcha Community Transport.
