The Minns Government has handed down the NSW State Budget. Here is what is on the cards for communities living in the Back Country:

• • $12.0 million Broken Hill Hospital Emergency Department Upgrade
  • new Broken Hill Mental Health Unit as part of the $669.8 million Statewide Mental Health Infrastructure Program.
  • Ongoing work to progress delivery of the Government’s 100 public preschools commitment, including at the Menindee Central School
  • $1.8 million for Community Connectors to continue providing support to First Nations high school students in Lightning Ridge and Wilcannia.
  • Continuing $24.8 million for the Wilcannia Weir Refurbishment Project, co-funded by the Australian Government, aiming to improve water security, upgrade infrastructure and minimise public health risks.
  • $780,000 for Gayini (Nimmie-Caira) between Maude and Balranald, for project management and construction activities to repair the flood damaged assets at Gayini by floods in September 2022.
  • $6.0 million over two years to support priority asset and infrastructure work to increase the capacity and capability of the Central Darling Shire Council as it exits administration.
  • $255.6 million for the Murray and Murrumbidgee River Constraints Program to increase connections to the Murrumbidgee and Murray River systems.
  • $63.5 million for the Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program to modernise water infrastructure across the Leeton and Griffith Shire Regions.
  • $9.3 million state-wise to continue the Feral Pig and Pest Control Program targeting pigs and deer to protect the State’s agricultural productivity and mitigate environmental and economic risks
  • $23.1 million for the Dubbo Alcohol and Other Drug Residential Rehabilitation Centre to provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals can develop skills to cope and address the underlying causes of substance use, while maintaining a connection to their community when receiving care
  • $15.0 million in 2025-26 for operational expenses to address increasing costs of rural and regional transportation for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
  • $2.0 million to extend the Western Air Services Subsidy, enabling commercial flights to Bourke, Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Cobar.

“We are boosting biosecurity with an additional $100.0 million to protect our farmers’ production, strengthen control and response programs, and defend our wonderful, unique natural environment for regional communities,” NSW Treasurer The Hon Daniel Mookhey MLC said.

“We are also investing $41.2 million to modernise the State’s primary industries research and development program so our farmers have the future tools and knowledge to adapt and thrive.”