Whether or not the Illawarra is a regional area seems to be confusing both sides of politics.
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Even the state MP responsible for representing the area is showing signs of being unclear.
The issue of “regional or not” has returned in the wake of a government decision about the redistribution of funds from the sale of Snowy Hydro going to regional and rural areas.
However, in this instance, “regional” didn’t include the Illawarra.
In parliament this week Deputy Premier John Barilaro saying that just because the Illawarra was a region, “that does not make them regional”.
The shifting definition of whether or not the NSW government considers the Illawarra has long caused both confusion and frustration with the region.
The Illawarra has been classed as both “regional” and “outer Sydney” by Transport for NSW.
It is eligible for funding from the Resources for Regions program, but not for the Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund.
Now it seems even the Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra is unsure about whether or not the government considers the area “regional”.
Last week, Mr Ward issued a media release about Round Two of the Stronger Country Communities Fund.
He announced that “an additional $200 million will be available for regional towns and cities across NSW” which was touted as” great news for the Illawarra and South Coast”.
However, Shellharbour and Wollongong councils are ineligible to apply for that fund.
The only part of the Illawarra that can apply for that grant is the Kiama council area.
Wollongong MP Paul Scully branded the release as “misleading and spreading false hope” to those sporting groups who weren’t actually eligible.
On Tuesday Mr Ward sent out another release dealing with a fare reduction on “rural and regional buses”.
He called this “a win for local customers and operators across the Illawarra and South Coast”.
However, bus contracts in the Wollongong and Shellharbour are classed by Transport for NSW as “outer Sydney metropolitan bus service contracts” and not “rural and regional”.
Labor has fared little better – Mr Park told the Mercury this week that the Illawarra would be included under its classification of “regional” when it came to funding.
But that was overruled by his leader Luke Foley days later, when he said in parliament “I rule out Wollongong and Newcastle” from any regional funding from the Snowy Hydro sale.
Mr Ward said Labor was making up policy on the spot.
Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
