TWENTY-ONE projects which will help grow and strengthen the rural NSW economy have been granted almost $18 million of Australian Government funding through the Murray-Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Programme.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the funding was to assist Murray-Darling Basin communities increase economic diversification and adjust to a water constrained environment.

“Under the $100 million Australian Government programme, the Basin States of NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia each select projects for funding in consultation with the Australian Government,” Mr Truss said.

“The 21 projects selected for funding in NSW will lead to the creation of around 250 jobs in the State, and will help businesses and communities impacted by the implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.”

NSW Minister for Regional Development John Barilaro said the NSW Government secured Australian Government funding of up to $32.5 million for economic development projects and diversification initiatives in the State.

“This funding will assist projects that will create new jobs and increase the economic output of local and regional economies in the Murray-Riverina,” Mr Barilaro said.

“More than 100 funding applications were received, a fantastic response, with 21 successful projects now confirmed after rigorous assessment and recommendation by an Independent Panel.

“The 21 projects receiving funding come from a diverse range of industries, from manufacturing to aquaculture, cheese-making to grain processing.

“In particular, the Independent Panel sought out projects that involve the development of sustainable partnerships with government, the private sector or not-for-profit organisations to support joint investment in regional communities.”

The remaining $14 million will be negotiated by the Federal and State Governments in accordance with the program objectives of delivering economic diversification in the Murray Darling Basin.

A full list of the 21 Murray-Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Programme projects is at ‘Attachment A’. For more details on the programme, visit investment.infrastructure.gov.au/.