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Media Release - Ministers Office Sydney: 24 May 2005 REFORM PROGRAM CONTINUES IN INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES 2005 BUDGET Funding for new communities in Sydney’s north-west and south-west sectors and increases for Catchment Management Authorities will be key features of the 2005/2006 budget, said NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Craig Knowles.
“The reforms we saw get underway last year are being strengthened in this year’s budget, with our plans to cut red-tape in planning, and focus on on-ground programs in regional areas being key features.
“Funding grants to Catchment Management Authorities across the State are up from around $119 million to $180.3 million, with around 80 per cent of that funding going straight to on-ground projects, helping farmers and communities better manage and improve local environmental issues.
“By being able to respond directly to local issues within the catchments, CMAs have had a huge impact in rural and regional areas, particularly in areas such as water and native vegetation management.
“In Sydney, this is the first year that the newly established Growth Centres Commission will be a significant budget item, which represents a huge step forward in how we plan new communities, and deliver ‘on-time’ infrastructure in Greenfield areas.
“Through the GCC, $33.9 million of work has been planned for the coming financial year which will be funded through a mix of Government funding ($12.6 million for infrastructure and operating costs), anticipated developer contributions and borrowings.
“Plans for the GCC this year will include $26 million for the acquisition of land for a future transport corridor into the south-west sector, $7.5 million for the Roads and Traffic Authority for upgrades to the Camden Valley Way, and $400,000 for land conservation work,” said Mr Knowles.
“This funding comes on top around $30 million of other road infrastructure work to be undertaken by the RTA in the new release areas, as well as a raft of infrastructure spending in other agencies that will provide huge benefits to the future communities of the north-west and south-west sectors.”
Other key features of the Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resource budget for 2005/2006 include:
- Doubling of the grants made to local Councils with $34.3 million allocated primarily in the two key areas of floodplain management, and coastal and estuary management.
- The support of key planning reform projects with $17 million allocated through the Planning Reform Fund to the development of the Metropolitan Strategy, the development of coastal and regional strategies, the BASIX program to reduce water and energy consumption in all new homes, and assistance to local Councils to update Local Environment Plans.
© NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
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