Southern Highland priorities identified in State Government’s Regional Action Plan
The Southern Highlands and Tablelands are set to benefit with a number of major infrastructure projects and initiatives announced under the State Government’s recently released South East NSW Regional Action Plan.
Wingecarribee Shire Mayor, Councillor Juliet Arkwright expressed her support for the initiative.
“The Plan sets out a vision for the region and identifies the actions the NSW Government is taking over the next two years to address priorities raised by communities in our region,” she said.
The strategies are designed to align with NSW 2021, the NSW Government’s 10-year business plan to rebuild the economy, return quality services, renovate infrastructure, strengthen our local environment and communities, and restore accountability to Government.
The Plan identifies actions within five key priorities.
The priority Actions immediately affecting the Southern Highlands include:
Priority 1 – Revitalise the economy
- In conjunction with local Councils and Industry Associations, rollout the Small Biz Connect program in the Southern Highlands and Tablelands regions in an effort to support small regionally based businesses
- Provide support to the Southern Highlands Manufacturers Cluster
- Progress the Moss Vale Enterprise Zone in partnership with Wingecarribee Shire Council by identifying appropriate marketing activities to attract new business investment
- In partnership with the NSW Police Force build a new police station in Moss Vale at a cost of $12.7 million
Priority 2 – Effectively manage natural resources and agricultural land
- Develop a Southern Highlands Strategic Land Use Plan by December 2014
- Implement the NSW Aquifer Interference Policy
- By March 2013 oversee coal seam gas projects and ensure landowners have greater input into land access agreements with gas companies
- Develop a Sydney-Canberra Corridor Regional Strategy within two years
- In conjunction with local councils implement a new outcomes-based Regional Illegal Dumping Program
Priority 3 – Provide accessible, efficient and integrated regional transport
- Deliver upgrades to the Moss Vale commuter car park
- Complete construction of the Southern Sydney Freight Line to improve the movement of freight between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane
Priority 4 – Deliver quality health and community services
- By June 2013 further develop Tertiary Students and Teaching facilities at Bowral and District Hospital
- Continue to provide Transitional Aged Care Services in Bowral and Goulburn
Priority 5 – Improve access and options for further education and employment
- In conjunction with the Southern Highlands Manufacturing Cluster continue to support career expos in the Southern Highlands and Tablelands regions including the Southern Highlands Jobs Careers Expo.
“Here in the Southern Highlands, the Plan will have both immediate and long-term effects,” Councillor Arkwright said. “Projects such as the police station upgrade will provide immediate work for local workers whilst the long-term infrastructure priorities, which are designed to set the agenda for our region’s future growth, have the potential to provide sustained employment for our Shire’s residents.”
“Sustainable growth of our Shire’s infrastructure, support for local businesses and increased employment opportunities will all result from this Plan, and as such I will be lobbying that Council support these priorities,” Councillor Arkwright concluded.
For further information on the NSW Government’s South East NSW Regional Action Plan and greater detail of the Priorities identified for the Southern Highlands and Tablelands areas, visit www.2021.nsw.gov.au or email regionalcoordination@dpc.nsw.gov.au