Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton welcomes $14.6 million in funding for Dubbo Regional Airport but expresses disappointment not more projects in the electorate were funded under Round 2 of the Growing Regions Program.
Dubbo Regional Airport’s runway will be upgraded thanks to a $14.6 million investment from the Australian Government.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has welcomed this funding which was announced today under Round 2 of the Growing Regions Program.
“It’s terrific to see that Dubbo Regional Council has been awarded a total of $14,614,867 for the Dubbo Regional Airport Runway Sustainability Project,” Mr Coulton said.
“This project will upgrade and strengthen the main runway, associated taxiways and aprons to support the operation of large air tankers and emergency services.
“Dubbo Regional Airport is one of the biggest regional airports in Australia, providing direct return services from Dubbo to Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Broken, Hill, Walgett and Lightning Ridge. It provides a critical link to major cities for people throughout the Central West and beyond, which is not only important for tourism but for the health, economic development and growth of the entire region.
“These upgrades will ensure the airport remains a sustainable and reliable gateway to the region.”
Dubbo Regional Council is one of 16 successful applicants from New South Wales to share in more than $79 million in funding under Round 2 of the Growing Regions Program.
However, Mr Coulton said he was disappointed there weren’t more successful projects for the Parkes electorate.
“Considering the Parkes electorate makes up half of the state, it would have been nice to see a few more of our worthwhile projects receive some much-needed funding under this program – the largest grant funding opportunity for our regional communities,” Mr Coulton said.
“I’m wondering whether the lack of recipients in the Parkes electorate is a direct result of the timing of the application process, which fell when local councils were in caretaker mode ahead of the Local Government elections. I imagine this would have made it very difficult for many of our smaller councils to apply, and interestingly, our only recipient is the largest council in the Parkes electorate.
“I also have concerns that Dubbo Regional Council will not see this funding before the federal election, with the Round 1 recipients yet to even sign a contract, let alone receive a cent of the funding that was promised to them back in May last year.
“Those five projects – the Brewarrina PCYC Youth Hub and Indoor Sports Centre, Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre Redevelopment, Wiradjuri Cultural Tourism Centre and Keeping Place, Gunida Gunyah Community Cultural Hub, and Narrabri Shire Tourism and Cultural Precinct – cannot start until a contract has been signed.
“It’s extremely frustrating for those communities which have been waiting for eight months to see these important projects get underway.
“I’m worried the continued delays are just a way for the Labor Government to avoid parting with this money altogether before the federal election, further starving our regions of funding.
“Labor promised it would support the regions, but after nearly three years in Government, there is nothing to show for it.”