The NSW Government has established a new department to help coordinate support for communities, businesses and farmers that have endured drought, bushfire and flood, and now face the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: NSW Government
Gary Barnes, the current coordinator general of regional NSW at the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, will lead the new Department of Regional NSW.
Minister of Regional NSW, Deputy Premier John Barilaro, said that the department brings together Primary Industries, Local Land Services, Resources and Geoscience and regional coordination across government to form a central agency dedicated to regional issues.
“We are urgently responding to the desperate needs of people in the regions, and this new agency will work to ensure community wellbeing, resilient economies and strong key regional industries,” Barilaro said in a statement.
“We know that the issues faced by the people of Cootamundra are very different to those faced in Coogee and so it is imperative we have a government designed to properly support every corner of this state.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made a big impact on what has already been a devastating start to 2020, as farmers continue to suffer through the worst drought in recorded history and towns torn apart by bushfires continue to feel the effects months on.”
Barilaro said the new Department of Regional NSW would be a voice in government for people who live in the regions, focusing on challenges and opportunities that are unique to regional communities.
“This department will allow a more streamlined response to regional issues as experts in areas such as primary industries, land management, resources, regional development, drought response and bushfire recovery work closer together than ever before.”
Barilaro said the department would drive the delivery of recent bushfire and COVID-19 stimulus and industry recovery packages along with the NSW Government’s drought initiatives, $1.7 billion Regional Growth Fund and $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund.