Mr HAMPTON - 2008-05-07
Budget 2008-09 delivers for families and invests in the Territory’s future. Does that extend to regional families and regional development, and how do the regions fare in Budget 2008-09?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Yesterday, the Treasurer delivered Budget 2008-09, a budget for all Territorian families, and all Territorians no matter where they live. A moment ago, I spoke about business, and my department, DBERD, has $8.1m to spend specifically in the regions.
I highlighted $300 000 for the Economic Development Committees; $600 000 for Indigenous Business Development Programs; and, of course, $150 000 allocated for business skilled migration programs specifically for Central Australia. We will continue to focus on regional development, designing special programs aimed at Katherine, Jabiru and Tennant Creek; the details of which will be announced in the near future.
In my other portfolio of Tourism, a significant portion of funding is allocated to regional activities. Budget 2008-09 includes, for Alice Springs: $615 000 funding for tourism in Central Australia to deliver marketing, industry enhancement and visitor information centres; $1m for a Red Centre Way global marketing campaign; and $100 000 funding in support of the Hermannsburg Western Aranda tourism development.
For Tennant Creek: $30 000 for the Barkly Region Tourism Development Plan; $90 000 funding for the Battery Hill Mining Centre to deliver visitor information services; $100 000 to employ a new Tennant Creek-based industry development officer to service the local tourism industry; and $400 000 for a combined Katherine and Barkly marketing campaign.
For Katherine – the member for Katherine is always keen to hear what is happening in Katherine: $255 000 to the Katherine Town Council to deliver visitor information services; and $100 000 to employ a new Katherine-based industry development officer to service the local tourism industry.
At East Arnhem: $165 000 for an Indigenous Tourism Hub to provide financial and administrative support for emerging indigenous enterprises; and $50 000 in funding for tourism infrastructure in Arnhem Land.
Yesterday, I made a statement about housing of $1bn to be delivered over the next five years. That is double the effort from the previous five years. Also, an extra $1m will be provided for upgrading Power and Water assets in Darwin, but especially in the regions. The construction of a new power station at Owen Springs Station in Alice Springs is under way; and a new generation augmentation at Katherine power station remains on schedule to be completed in 2009-10. In addition, there will be $1.6m for the construction of a new power station in Bulman; $0.5m to increase the fuel storage at Papunya; $0.5m to extend the power house and construct a control room at Willowra; $600 000 to upgrade the Yuendumu sewage ponds; $2.2m to connect Wallace Rockhole to the Hermannsburg electricity system; and Rittarangu to the electricity system at Ngukurr.
We are spending money in the regions where it really matters. Economic activity in the urban centres is significantly high, but in the regions we are putting the money in place so that there will be jobs for Territorians, jobs for local business and many opportunities for a lot of Territory families.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. Yesterday, the Treasurer delivered Budget 2008-09, a budget for all Territorian families, and all Territorians no matter where they live. A moment ago, I spoke about business, and my department, DBERD, has $8.1m to spend specifically in the regions.
I highlighted $300 000 for the Economic Development Committees; $600 000 for Indigenous Business Development Programs; and, of course, $150 000 allocated for business skilled migration programs specifically for Central Australia. We will continue to focus on regional development, designing special programs aimed at Katherine, Jabiru and Tennant Creek; the details of which will be announced in the near future.
In my other portfolio of Tourism, a significant portion of funding is allocated to regional activities. Budget 2008-09 includes, for Alice Springs: $615 000 funding for tourism in Central Australia to deliver marketing, industry enhancement and visitor information centres; $1m for a Red Centre Way global marketing campaign; and $100 000 funding in support of the Hermannsburg Western Aranda tourism development.
For Tennant Creek: $30 000 for the Barkly Region Tourism Development Plan; $90 000 funding for the Battery Hill Mining Centre to deliver visitor information services; $100 000 to employ a new Tennant Creek-based industry development officer to service the local tourism industry; and $400 000 for a combined Katherine and Barkly marketing campaign.
For Katherine – the member for Katherine is always keen to hear what is happening in Katherine: $255 000 to the Katherine Town Council to deliver visitor information services; and $100 000 to employ a new Katherine-based industry development officer to service the local tourism industry.
At East Arnhem: $165 000 for an Indigenous Tourism Hub to provide financial and administrative support for emerging indigenous enterprises; and $50 000 in funding for tourism infrastructure in Arnhem Land.
Yesterday, I made a statement about housing of $1bn to be delivered over the next five years. That is double the effort from the previous five years. Also, an extra $1m will be provided for upgrading Power and Water assets in Darwin, but especially in the regions. The construction of a new power station at Owen Springs Station in Alice Springs is under way; and a new generation augmentation at Katherine power station remains on schedule to be completed in 2009-10. In addition, there will be $1.6m for the construction of a new power station in Bulman; $0.5m to increase the fuel storage at Papunya; $0.5m to extend the power house and construct a control room at Willowra; $600 000 to upgrade the Yuendumu sewage ponds; $2.2m to connect Wallace Rockhole to the Hermannsburg electricity system; and Rittarangu to the electricity system at Ngukurr.
We are spending money in the regions where it really matters. Economic activity in the urban centres is significantly high, but in the regions we are putting the money in place so that there will be jobs for Territorians, jobs for local business and many opportunities for a lot of Territory families.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016