Regional support from State Budget

RDA Orana chairman John Walkom has voiced his enthusiasm for a 2018-19 State Budget described by NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet as having a ‘strong
heart.’

“Payroll tax relief, tourism and skills training are just a few of the good items for Regional NSW,” Mr Walkom said.

He is impressed that the Government will increase the payroll tax threshold from $750,000 to $1 million over four years.

“The commitment to cut payroll tax will assist small business in unlocking new opportunities and it will drive employment growth.

“This will save businesses $881 million over four years. Most importantly, the change will also mean that around 5000 businesses will no longer face
payroll tax.”

Skills training has been highlighted as an important area, with the NSW Government providing $285 million towards free training for 100,000 apprentices.

“There has also been $30 million allocated over four years for the Skills for Business initiative to give small businesses and their staff free access
to TAFE NSW business training and $13.9 million over four years for Regional Industry Education Partnerships.”

A total of $66.8 million under the Smart Skilled and Hired scheme will assist the disability sector in delivery of National Disability Insurance Scheme
services and a $37 million expansion of the Easy to do Business initiative will streamline application procedures for new or existing businesses
setting up in a new location.

There will also be continued investment in transport and health in order to improve freight connections and provide the necessary infrastructure to
service existing communities and for favourable future growth.

Some of the regional highlights for the Orana include $20 million for Newell Highway overtaking lanes, $6.3 million towards the Dubbo Bridge project,
$35 million to commence the Western Cancer Centre and ongoing assistance towards the upgrades to Mudgee and Dubbo hospitals.

There has also been $118 million allocated for new tourism projects through the Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund./ENDS