The NSW Government today unveiled a $200 million recovery package for regional NSW that will create new jobs and support events, shows and festivals to boost tourism and help young people reclaim the best years of their lives.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Regional Recovery Package includes a $50 million Regional Events Package, $30 million Regional Job Creation Fund and $40 million for priority infrastructure projects across Regional NSW.
“This package will deliver long term support and certainty for businesses as the state reopens, tourism rebounds and investors eye new opportunities in the bush,” Mr Toole said.
”The package includes $25 million to help regional councils stage events such as festivals that help drive tourism and allow locals to reconnect.
“Immediate financial support will also be provided for country shows to be held in 2021-2022. Country shows have been disrupted by drought, bushfire, floods and COVID-19 and the $5 million we are announcing today will help agricultural show societies come back bigger and better than ever, in the lead up to the 2022 Royal Easter Show.
“There’s no better way for Sydneysiders to experience the tastes, sights and sounds of the bush and support rural communities than to get along to a country show.
“I am also proud to confirm a second round of the successful Regional Job Creation Fund and the Regional Events Acceleration Fund in 2022. I am looking forward to announcing successful projects from the first round of these projects in the coming weeks which will help businesses create more jobs and give tourists even more reasons to visit the bush.
“This package has laid the foundations for a strong recovery for regional NSW and I look forward to making further funding announcements in the coming weeks that will ensure the regions bounce back better than ever.”
Treasurer Matt Kean said the $200 million of new funding is a key part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Strategy.
“We know businesses in the bush have done it tough through the pandemic,” Mr Kean said.
“We want to arm our regional communities with the economic stimulus they need not only to recover, but to bounce back bigger and better than before.
“This package will not only provide a boost to business but deliver better services, new projects and more jobs for regional communities across the state.”
The $200 million Regional package builds upon the NSW Government’s record investment in regional NSW through the $2 billion Regional Growth Fund and the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund and 30 per cent of the Restart NSW Fund.
$200 million Regional Recovery Package includes:
- $30 million for the Regional Job Creation Fund Round Two (to be open for applications in early 2022)
- $50 million Regional Events Package, including;
- $20 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund Round Two (to be open for applications in early 2022)
- $5 million Country Shows support package
- $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW: Community Events Package
- $40 million for priority infrastructure projects across Regional NSW.
Further announcements will be made with respect to the remaining $80 million.