The state’s deputy premier declared that the Illawarra is not regional, in a heated parliamentary debate over what qualifies as “real regional NSW”.
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During Question Time on Tuesday, John Barilaro was asked by fellow Nationals MP Kevin Humphries what benefits cash from the sale of the Snowy Hydro would bring the “real regional NSW”.
The question followed an earlier uproar from local Labor MPs over news that Wollongong and Shellharbour will not be eligible for a share in a $4 billion regional infrastructure fund, as they are not classified as regional by Mr Barilaro’s office.
“Yes there is a region called the Illawarra … but that doesn’t make it regional,” Mr Barilaro said.
He said places like Wollongong would take funds from “real regional NSW” if they were part of the scheme.
“I am happy to debate [Labor] about why they think Wollongong and Newcastle should be redefined as regional NSW,” he said.
“If Cobar has to compete with Wollongong, we know Wollongong will always win under those opposite.”
These comments have angered Shadow Treasurer and Keira MP Ryan Park, who said Mr Barilaro had shown a “complete lack of understanding of regional NSW”.
“I’ve got no problem when we’re not included in rural funding, but if we’re excluded from competing in regional funds we have no choice but to go up against Sydney – where we just can’t win.”
Mr Park also noted the Illawarra was classified as a region by the Industry ministry, headed by Mr Barilaro, and a number of other government policies.
The debate over whether the Illawarra is regional or metropolitan has raged for years, with the definition changing between years, government departments and different policies.
Last year, Wollongong City Council and the local business lobby joined forced to implore the NSW government to to enshrine Wollongong as a regional – not metropolitan – economic centre of NSW.
Then, Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said a “fractured” definition of regional made it difficult to apply for state government funds.
“So often we have missed out on funding simply because it’s convenient for the state government to align us with the Sydney metropolitan area,” he said.
He noted the Illawarra and Shoalhaven Regional Plan – released in 2015 – identified Wollongong as the major “regional” city on the South Coast, but that this had not carried over into funding opportunities.
City or country?
For some NSW and federal government regional funds, Wollongong is classed as regional, while for others the city council and community groups are not eligible to apply.
In most cases, the same rules apply for Shellharbour but not for Kiama or the Shoalhaven, despite these areas being included in some definitions – but not all – of the Illawarra.
Confused?
When we’re regional
- Both Wollongong and Newcastle were defined as “regional” by under the proposal for local government mergers. When mergers for “regional councils” were called off, this included Wollongong/Shellharbour.
- According to the NSW Department of Industry, Illawarra is listed as one of nine regions in NSW. Sydney is not included in the list.
- According to the NSW Department of Planning, in a 2017 update, the Illawarra-Shoalhaven is a “fast growing region” and is listed as one of nine regions in “regional NSW”. The plan says: “It is a great time for regional NSW as we focus on growing regional economies and communities, and invest in catalyst projects to deliver our shared vision from each regional plan.”
- NSW Resources for Regions – up to $50 million available in 2017/18 for mining affected communities.
- Federal Building Better Regions fund
When we’re metropolitan
- Regional Growth Fund – a $1.3 billion fund from the proceeds from the lease of the state’s electricity assets.
- Stronger Country Communities fund – $200 million over the next two years for infrastructure projects in regional NSW including parks, community centres, playgrounds and paths.
- Connecting Country Communities – a fund to improve regional voice and data connectivity.
- Regional Sports Infrastructure – fund to boost participation and performance in sport
- Growing Local Economies – a fund to “support job creation and economic growth in regional NSW”.
- NSW Regional Cultural Fund – a $100 million fund to drive growth in arts, screen, cultural and heritage infrastructure. 92 councils are eligible – but not those in Newcastle, Sydney or Wollongong.