Regional Development Australia Fund disappointment
07-September-2011
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has expressed his disappointment that Round One of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) was not allocated to any projects in the Parkes Electorate.
The $1 billion RDAF is a national program established by the Gillard Government with the view to support Australia’s regional areas through investment in infrastructure projects as identified by local communities.
“I am extremely disappointed with the outcome of this funding,” Mr Coulton stated. “My electorate covers all of the Orana RDA region and part of the Central West and the Northern Inland RDA regions. The Orana RDA is the largest RDA region in NSW and there is significant potential for economic growth. However, the Orana Region completely missed out on any funding from the RDAF.”
Mr Coulton said he was aware of several local projects that made submissions for funding through the RDAF and stated that the Gillard Government had yet again failed his electorate.
“I know of several projects that applied for funding through the RDAF including funding for the Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge,” Mr Coulton said. “They all made substantial applications and again it seems Western NSW misses out.”
Of the $150 million that was allocated to Round One, in NSW $7 million was allocated to the Newcastle City Council to go towards the redevelopment of the Newcastle Region Art Gallery. Also of the nine projects that were funded in NSW, eight of these were located in a Labor held seat.
Round 2 of the RDAF will open in November 2011.
“Since the last election there has been a great expectation that there would be funding allocated to regional areas, particularly in Western NSW. This announcement of funding has shown this to be a farce and the deal the Government made with the Independents has proved to be complete sham,” Mr Coulton said. “This Government has treated Western NSW with contempt.”