$5.1 million for new health worker accommodation in Far Western NSW

Communities in Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Wentworth, Buronga and Dareton are set to benefit from new Key Worker Accommodation which will help attract, recruit and retain more healthcare workers in Far West NSW.

“As we get one step closer to a new health service in Wentworth, it is welcome news that the government is boosting its investment in rural healthcare services and infrastructure," Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, said.

“The new accommodation units will be an opportunity to fill desperately needed vacant health care positions and support communities that are currently begging for quality health services.”

The Minns Labor Government will invest $5.1 million in health worker housing in Far Western NSW as part of the Key Health Worker Accommodation program.

The $200 million program supports more than 20 projects across rural, regional and remote NSW.

“It is critical we attract and keep health workers not just in Far West NSW, but across the whole of rural and remote NSW," Mrs. Dalton said.

"This investment will hopefully draw medical professionals to the bush.”

The funding will secure approximately 120 dwellings across regional NSW.

This includes building new accommodation, refurbishment of existing living quarters and the purchase of properties such as residential units.

The four-year program will support the recruitment and retention of more than 500 health workers and their families by providing a range of accommodation options.

“It is essential that health in rural and remote NSW is not neglected and people in the bush receive the same level of care as their city cousins," Mrs. Dalton said.

The program is one of a number of investments the Minns Labor Government is making to strengthen the regional, rural and remote health workforce and builds on the success of the NSW Government's $73.2 million investment in key health worker accommodation across five regional local health districts (Far West, Murrumbidgee, Southern NSW, Hunter New England and Western NSW).