The budget has delivered a mixed bag for the Tamworth electorate, as it falls short of the massive $449 million in funding from last year’s budget.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said he was disappointed by the budget, however there was some relief for key projects in the electorate, ensuring they would continue under the Labor Government.

“I am very disappointed that the Labor Government is still vague on details like the redevelopment of the $53m Gunnedah Hospital, the community needs to know what the next steps are, the details on the Goonoo Goonoo road upgrade but I’m pleased to see funding to kick start the planning for a recycled water treatment plant for Tamworth.

“These projects, alongside the important work funded by the previous government including Tamworth’s new ambulance station, $26.6 million for UNE Tamworth, Gunnedah Saleyards, Tamworth Intermodal Rail Line reactivation, and will keep us moving forward.

Funding items identified in the NSW Budget include:

• $53m Gunnedah Hospital
• Building a Better Banksia mental Health – State wide program
• $6 million for water security in Tamworth
• $5.6 million for the Gunnedah Koala Sanctuary
• $1.3 million for Centacare’s Keep on Track program
• $2.5 million for an early childhood education centre at Gunnedah TAFE
• $26.2 million for new and upgraded homes for Aboriginal Housing Organisation
• $2.3 million for the Chickpea Breeding Program
• Continuation of planning for the $40 million Goonoo Goonoo Road project
• $4.5m for the

“Another major blow from the Labor Government is that there is no commitment for a new school in Tamworth, which we know we will need within the next decade. Our schools are bursting at the seams and the lack of funding to plan for a new school is bitterly disappointing. 

“Our communities will be furious with the significant cuts to spending in the regions, particularly around grant programs that they rely on, this will really hurt our volunteer organisations and sporting clubs that make a real difference to the lives of our people.”