NSW Covid-19 economic recovery plan: what it means for Sydney’s West, regional towns

The NSW Government has released its Covid Economic Recovery plan, here is what it means for you and your community.

Hundreds of thousands of jobs, millions in regional projects and more vouchers will be on offer for people across the state as part of a drive to revive the NSW economy, following the devastating Covid-19 lockdowns.

Premier Dominic Perrottet announces a new Economic Strategy package which includes $250.00 parental payments. (Photo by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

On Thursday, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Treasurer Matt Kean revealed the state’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Strategy — identifying the blueprints behind the multibillion-dollar budget booster aimed at kickstarting the state’s financial comeback.

Following the release of the plans, NewsLocal is bringing you the latest information on what the state’s recovery strategy means for you and your community.

NSW PARLIAMENT

BOOSTING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

A statewide employment drive plans to create more than 260,000 jobs across NSW by December next year.

Approximately 270,000 jobs were lost across the state following the 2020 wave of Covid.

However, by June this year, those positions had been recovered, with an additional 38,000 jobs on the market.

The recovery plan will see the NSW Government work to recover “all jobs lost by September quarter 2022 and create an additional 25,000 by December quarter 2022”.

People across the state will also have access to 103,000 fee-free training courses in an effort to “help job seekers retrain or upskill and support school leavers to enter the workforce for the first time”.

Part of this plan will see $250 ‘Thank You’ vouchers for households where students learnt from home.

“One of the biggest challenges for so many families during lockdowns was learning from home, and now as life returns to normal we want to encourage people to get out and boost economic activity,” Mr Perrottet said.

“In many senses this is a ‘Thank You’ that will go some small way towards helping family finances that took a big hit and at the same time supporting businesses and jobs.”

A $250 million expansion of the state’s $50 accommodation vouchers is also in the pipework, as well as a $250 million expansion of the Dine and Discover program, which will see all adults across the state given another two $25 vouchers.

Prepare for more Dine and Discover vouchers – bucket of Sydney Beer Co, Aussie Burger and frozen cocktails, photo – Jenifer Jagielski

SYDNEY

The heart of the city is set to be transformed as part of a $50 million plan to entice people back into the Sydney CBD. People returning to the city will see initiatives including the Sydney Street Party Series, entertainment precincts, and late night precincts rolled out to see a major return to the bustling city scene.

WESTERN SYDNEY

The city’s western suburbs, which faced some of the harshest lockdown restrictions, will see the benefits of the NSW Government’s $5 billion Westinvest fund, earmarked to improve infrastructure and increase job opportunities in Sydney West and South West.

“Up to $3 billion will be invested across six areas including parks, urban spaces, green spaces, enhancing community infrastructure, modernising local schools, upgrading arts and cultural facilities, revitalising high streets, and clearing local traffic,” the recovery plan said.

“The remaining $2 billion will be reserved for high priority projects to be developed in consultation with communities.

Western Sydney will benefit from a $5 billion facelift fund in Westinvest. Parramatta CBD and stadium pictured from the air. . Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“These investments will help provide a boost to the region’s economic recovery and will be a catalyst for growth in Western Sydney.”

A total of 80 new social housing dwellings will be built as part of a $30 million fund aimed at “supporting communities that have been hit hardest by the pandemic”.

Meanwhile, business events will be incentivised to host functions across the region next year in an effort to support the accommodation, tourism and entertainment industries.

REGIONAL HUBS

People doing it tough in Coffs Harbour and Wagga Wagga are set to benefit from 1000 new social housing dwellings — which will be built as part of an accelerated $50 million regional social and affordable housing plan.

The proposal is expected to generate around 18000 private homes and more than 250 jobs.

Prepare to get back to regional music and cultural festivals, with events hosted from Byron Bay to the Blue Mountains, Grafton to the South Coast set to benefit from a new $25 million Festival Relaunch package.

Bluesfest – Byron Bay Blues and Roots Music Festival at Tyagarah Tee Tree Farm, New South Wales credit: Kristoffer Paulsen

Meanwhile, a $50 million regional events package will also see the return of agricultural shows and community fates to support the regional tourism industry.

In The Hunter, a $30 million program has been developed to provide housing for our frontline nurses and doctors working for the Hunter New England Local Health District, the program will also see homes built for workers from the Western NSW Local Health District.

While regional and remote Aboriginal communities will also benefit from small-scale “essential infrastructure” projects.

Shovel-ready, priority projects across regional NSW will also be fast-tracked as part of a $40 million proposal to create jobs and “support the economic recovery of the regions”.

SUPPORT FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

The State Government has committed to the construction of 45 new “culturally appropriate” homes across the state for Aboriginal families as part of a $20 million fund.

A total of 36 Aboriginal Care navigators and youth peer workers will be rolled out across the state as part of a $21 million plan.