Labor has called on The National Party to redirect $100 million of the second round of the Stronger Communities Fund to projects that would deliver community building projects in drought-affected areas of NSW.
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The state government has given money to the Hilltops Council from the fund for projects such as the Young Swimming Pool.
But former Young councillor and Labor's Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Mick Veitch said funding applications should be re-opened to drought-affected communities as a matter of priority and assessment fast track in time for funding by late July.
"By quarantining 50 per cent of the funds, these could be directed towards local projects providing much-needed work and income into these towns," he said. "The Federal and State Government had been caught flat-footed in its response to the NSW drought, and had confined itself mainly to 'listening tours'.
“Drought has impacts right across the board – not just farmers but small businesses, workers and the broader community.
“That is why Labor has called on the Deputy Premier, to re-purpose one of his funds to prioritise the needs of country communities - $100 million for projects to deliver much-needed income into drought affected communities within the next few months."
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
