More than $60 million was injected into the local economy through community grant programs in local sport, heritage, arts and tourism. Sporting clubs received more than $1.3 million with big ticket items including an upgrade to Pat Timmins Oval at Condobolin and Wee Waa Golf Club. More than $1 million was given to the Barwon electorate supporting community halls, libraries, tourism ventures and events.
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Local councils can now help protect our heritage with more than $350,000 being awarded for advisers, Indigenous site protection planning and infrastructure upgrades.
Primary industries
This funding also supports our growing primary industries sector. Primary industry in NSW is worth a record $15.4 billion in 2016/17, an increase of 32.4 per cent over the past three years. But we are facing tough seasonal times ahead, with dry and hot conditions forecast.
This is why we committed $75 million in this year’s budget for concessional loans, assisting primary producers to prepare for drought.
Funding for education
Education is a key component of growth, and early childhood education is the foundation of that. Gulargambone Preschool, Lightning Ridge Preschool and Condobolin Preschool Kindergarten all received funding to support this foundation. More than $1 million has been provided to help teachers develop their skills, with mentoring and coaching support, and collaborative lesson planning which also strengthens their ability to receive higher levels of accreditation.
Schools get wireless
Wireless connectivity in rural schools is no longer a dream, with $46 million invested through the Connecting Country Schools program. Sixty-eight Barwon schools will benefit.
