Federal Budget 2021: How Northern NSW fared in this year’s spending spree

Specific funding allocations for projects across regional NSW were thin on the ground in Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s billion-dollar spending spree today. This is how our region rated.

The Clarence River at Grafton is featured in a NSW Government campaign aimed at the state's residents who normally travel overseas to kickstart domestic tourism.

NORTHERN New South Wales missed out on scoring big-ticket items in the Federal Government’s annual Budget today.

Specific funding allocations for projects across Lismore, the Clarence Valley, Ballina, Byron Bay, Tweed and Kyogle were thin on the ground in Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s billion-dollar spending spree, with our region one of many to not rate a mention.

However, our region should benefit from broader funding pledges including:

- A share in $630.2m for better access to high-quality services for the elderly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other special needs groups.

- The region’s natural beauty will be on display as part of a $348m plan to boost the attractiveness of regional Australia as a place to live and work.

- The Rebuilding Regional Communities Program will allocate $6.1m nationally to help restart and support community-led activities that were restricted during COVID-19.

- People living in Northern NSW will also be able to stay in contact under a national $84.8m Regional Connectivity Program. The cash boost is set to deliver improved broadband and telecommunications to more than 80 locations across regional Australia.

- The government will spend $1bn nationally to extend the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program to 2022-23. This will support regions like ours through the upgrades of local roads, footpaths and community infrastructure.

- A further $1bn will be provided for projects that will upgrade roads and save lives.

- The region’s famers and community will get a share of $172.5m under the $5bn Future Drought Fund to adopt better risk management practices and new technologies.

- Northern NSW locals will also benefit from the expansion of the government’s $1 billion Building Better Regions Fund. An extra $250m will be added for a sixth round, aimed at building stronger communities by creating more jobs, economic growth and infrastructure. - NewsRegional