DEPUTY Premier Andrew Stoner and Member for Goulburn Pru Goward have released the Southern Highlands and Tablelands Regional Action Plan outlining the Government’s response to the priorities identified by the community earlier this year.
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The plan is one of 19 locally focused Action Plans that outline the top priorities for Government action in each region of NSW.
“The plans align with NSW 2021, our State’s 10-year plan to rebuild the economy, return quality services, renovate infrastructure, strengthen our local environment and communities, and restore accountability to government,” Mr Stoner said.
The Highlands and Tablelands Regional Action Plan aims “to revitalise the economy by attracting economic opportunities and building on the skills and experience of people in the region.”
“This will encourage regionally based employment, whilst sustainably managing future growth,” it says.
Last year the community provided input to the priorities in the Regional Action Plan through face to face community meetings with Cabinet Ministers held in Mittagong, an online regional forum and written submission from local stakeholders.
“The Southern Highlands and Tablelands areas were to be included in the Illawarra and South East Regional Action Plans respectively,” Ms Goward said.
“However, after lobbying by the community and my office, I am pleased to see a consolidated regional plan.
“The plan outlines the key actions the NSW Government, in partnership with stakeholders, will deliver over the next two years to improve opportunities and the quality of life for people in the Southern Highlands and Tablelands.”
Key actions include:
* Developing the Goulburn Freight/Logistics Hub in partnership with Goulburn Mulwaree Council
* Progressing the Moss Vale Enterprise Zone in partnership with Wingecarribee Shire Council
* New water treatment facilities as Taralga, Gunning and Dalton
* A new police station at Moss Vale at a cost of $12.7 million
* Preparing a Strategic Regional Land Use Policy for the Southern Highlands
* Development of Regional Transport Plans and release of a more consistent and reliable timetables for the Southern Highlands Rail Line
Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Geoff Kettle, in Sydney on Monday for the release of the plan, said that many of the issues and projects that the community wanted were addressed by the State Government.
“I’m glad to see that the government listened and responded to the concerns of Southern Tableland and Highlands residents,” he said.
“All the community forums and responses certainly paid off for the government to come up with this great plan.”
Ms Goward said the NSW 2021 Regional Action Plans deliver the local flavour to complement the Government’s long term strategies, including the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan, State Infrastructure Strategy, the new NSW Planning System and the Strategic Regional Land Use Policy.
Delivery of the Regional Action Plans will be driven locally through a new NSW Government Regional Governance Framework.
Regional Leadership Groups which include senior NSW Government representatives in the Southern Highlands and Tablelands will be held responsible for implementation and monitoring.
“Our progress towards delivery of each of the Regional Action Plans will be reported honestly and accurately each year through the NSW 2021 reporting framework,” Ms Goward said.
To download the plans or for more information go to www.2021.nsw.gov.au.