Major boosts for roads, health in regional funding
Country roads will be the big winners in a major funding announcement today as part of the state government’s billion dollar stimulus plan.
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Regional road funding continues to be the big winner in the State Government’s $1 billion stimulus package.
The State Government will today unveil $120 million of new infrastructure projects to be fast-tracked in a move it says will support 165 jobs.
Of the money to be announced today, $58 million is dedicated to regional and Outback areas.
The funding is part of the first tranche of stimulus, worth $350 million, that has also included funding for tourism projects ($22 million), upgrades to regional hospitals ($15 million), public housing maintenance ($10 million) and $50 million for local government projects.
Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll said tenders had already been released for a Heysen Tunnel refit and Adventure Way and Innamincka Airport Road sealing to get these projects under way as soon as possible. “We are trying to get these projects out the door as quickly as possible to support more SA jobs and businesses as we deal with the impacts of the coronavirus,” Mr Knoll said.
This week, the Government also released $21.5 million of construction contracts to upgrade almost 200km of Cleve Rd and Browns Well Highway.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will today unveil a $1.1 billion package with hundreds of millions of dollars also flowing to mental health and domestic violence support services as well as frontline charities.
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The bulk of the money – $669 million – will fund Medicare-subsidised Telehealth services for all Australians for six months.
This is aimed at freeing up GP waiting rooms and hospitals and allowing Australians to access care while self-isolating. To tackle the second wave of the coronavirus, Australians suffering mental-health concerns or domestic violence brought on by COVID-19 will also have greater access to support.
“Australians, even though we have to be isolated, should have to go through this alone,” Mr Morrison said.
“We are focused on saving lives and saving livelihoods and this new support package will provide much-needed care and help to so many Australians facing hardship at no fault of their own.’’