Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, has welcomed the announcement that, in the new financial year, the Coalition Government will deliver an additional $250 million into a sixth round of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).
“I will always fight for and do my best to deliver for our New England. The Electorate is playing an integral role in our nation’s economic recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Investing in local communities is at the heart of the Government’s plan for Regional Australia.
“Our region has already benefited from previous rounds of the BBRF with investments in projects such as the upgrade of Tenterfield’s water treatment plant, new infrastructure at Tamworth’s Intermodal Rail Hub, a lighting upgrade at Gwydir Oval in Bingara, and a Future Jobs program at Glen Innes.
This is driving economic growth in New England and delivering lasting benefits to our local communities,” Mr Joyce said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the Coalition Government is committed to creating jobs and building stronger regional communities.
“Since 2016 we have funded just on 1,000 projects through the Building Better Regions Fund and it is making a difference everywhere. Last year’s Budget committed $200 million for a Fifth BBRF Round. To address prolonged impact of bushfires, drought, flood and COVID, Round Five incorporated $100 million dedicated to tourism-related infrastructure,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
The BBRF supports shovel-ready infrastructure projects, but more than this, it funds events, strategic regional plans, leadership and capacity-building – all delivering new economic and social benefits to our people, Australia-wide.”
(ENDS)