Latest news with #DugaldSaunders
The Advertiser
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Climate change costs hit regions and budget hard
Frequent bushfires and floods have exploded natural disaster recovery and relief costs as 3.2 million regional residents are promised upgraded hospitals, new preschools and better roads. As communities in northern NSW continue cleaning up from floods in May and the memories of February's Cyclone Alfred fade, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey on Tuesday set aside another $4.2 billion towards future and past disaster relief. That figure, outlined in the 2025/26 state budget, was "likely to increase in response to both previous and potentially new natural disasters", he said. It comes amid yearly disaster relief spending of $1.6 billion since the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires, a 10-fold increase on the prior six years. Several areas have been hit twice, including the northern rivers smashed by record-breaking floods in 2022 and significant flooding in March. Some $2.3 billion will be specifically allocated to repair cratered local and state roads damaged in Lismore and surrounding towns, as well as in the Hunter. Another $63 million will be dedicated to relocating locals in the northern rivers looking for safer residential options, while $27 million is being injected into water and sewer infrastructure in central west NSW. Feral pest management funding has been carried over by a $9 million top-up to cull feral pigs and deer but groups such as the Invasive Species Council said a more comprehensive and scientifically grounded program was needed. Drought-affected farmers, selling their sheep and cattles at record rates, are left empty-handed for now. "Areas around the Riverina, Cootamundra council areas have been in drought now for literally 12 months ... no recognition from this government around what that means," Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said. "In the last month, there's been a little bit of rain, but that does not make the season and there's concerns about that drought spreading." He also attacked a record $1 billion injection in biosecurity measures saying it was "paltry" amid myriad threats from fire ants, cattle tick, varroa mites and foot-and-mouth "knocking on the door". Labor's budget also targets a more environmentally-minded future with a focus on renewable energy. Some $2.1 billion over four years will primarily support five renewable energy zones, unlocking billions more in private investment. Farmers and agribusiness will get $45 million to help digital technology and on-farm connectivity while $48 million will boost mobile phone coverage on highways. An additional $2.1 billion will be invested in building and upgrading regional schools. Amid difficulties getting doctors out to the bush and remote communities, more than $1 billion will be invested to build hospitals, reduce overdue surgeries and set up new targeted programs. These include a new hospital in Gunnedah and a statewide mental health infrastructure program to boost in-patient services. About $1 billion will be splashed to build four special business precincts in Parkes, Moree, Wagga Wagga and the Snowy Mountains that play to each region's strengths, from freight and logistics to horticulture. Frequent bushfires and floods have exploded natural disaster recovery and relief costs as 3.2 million regional residents are promised upgraded hospitals, new preschools and better roads. As communities in northern NSW continue cleaning up from floods in May and the memories of February's Cyclone Alfred fade, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey on Tuesday set aside another $4.2 billion towards future and past disaster relief. That figure, outlined in the 2025/26 state budget, was "likely to increase in response to both previous and potentially new natural disasters", he said. It comes amid yearly disaster relief spending of $1.6 billion since the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires, a 10-fold increase on the prior six years. Several areas have been hit twice, including the northern rivers smashed by record-breaking floods in 2022 and significant flooding in March. Some $2.3 billion will be specifically allocated to repair cratered local and state roads damaged in Lismore and surrounding towns, as well as in the Hunter. Another $63 million will be dedicated to relocating locals in the northern rivers looking for safer residential options, while $27 million is being injected into water and sewer infrastructure in central west NSW. Feral pest management funding has been carried over by a $9 million top-up to cull feral pigs and deer but groups such as the Invasive Species Council said a more comprehensive and scientifically grounded program was needed. Drought-affected farmers, selling their sheep and cattles at record rates, are left empty-handed for now. "Areas around the Riverina, Cootamundra council areas have been in drought now for literally 12 months ... no recognition from this government around what that means," Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said. "In the last month, there's been a little bit of rain, but that does not make the season and there's concerns about that drought spreading." He also attacked a record $1 billion injection in biosecurity measures saying it was "paltry" amid myriad threats from fire ants, cattle tick, varroa mites and foot-and-mouth "knocking on the door". Labor's budget also targets a more environmentally-minded future with a focus on renewable energy. Some $2.1 billion over four years will primarily support five renewable energy zones, unlocking billions more in private investment. Farmers and agribusiness will get $45 million to help digital technology and on-farm connectivity while $48 million will boost mobile phone coverage on highways. An additional $2.1 billion will be invested in building and upgrading regional schools. Amid difficulties getting doctors out to the bush and remote communities, more than $1 billion will be invested to build hospitals, reduce overdue surgeries and set up new targeted programs. These include a new hospital in Gunnedah and a statewide mental health infrastructure program to boost in-patient services. About $1 billion will be splashed to build four special business precincts in Parkes, Moree, Wagga Wagga and the Snowy Mountains that play to each region's strengths, from freight and logistics to horticulture. Frequent bushfires and floods have exploded natural disaster recovery and relief costs as 3.2 million regional residents are promised upgraded hospitals, new preschools and better roads. As communities in northern NSW continue cleaning up from floods in May and the memories of February's Cyclone Alfred fade, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey on Tuesday set aside another $4.2 billion towards future and past disaster relief. That figure, outlined in the 2025/26 state budget, was "likely to increase in response to both previous and potentially new natural disasters", he said. It comes amid yearly disaster relief spending of $1.6 billion since the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires, a 10-fold increase on the prior six years. Several areas have been hit twice, including the northern rivers smashed by record-breaking floods in 2022 and significant flooding in March. Some $2.3 billion will be specifically allocated to repair cratered local and state roads damaged in Lismore and surrounding towns, as well as in the Hunter. Another $63 million will be dedicated to relocating locals in the northern rivers looking for safer residential options, while $27 million is being injected into water and sewer infrastructure in central west NSW. Feral pest management funding has been carried over by a $9 million top-up to cull feral pigs and deer but groups such as the Invasive Species Council said a more comprehensive and scientifically grounded program was needed. Drought-affected farmers, selling their sheep and cattles at record rates, are left empty-handed for now. "Areas around the Riverina, Cootamundra council areas have been in drought now for literally 12 months ... no recognition from this government around what that means," Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said. "In the last month, there's been a little bit of rain, but that does not make the season and there's concerns about that drought spreading." He also attacked a record $1 billion injection in biosecurity measures saying it was "paltry" amid myriad threats from fire ants, cattle tick, varroa mites and foot-and-mouth "knocking on the door". Labor's budget also targets a more environmentally-minded future with a focus on renewable energy. Some $2.1 billion over four years will primarily support five renewable energy zones, unlocking billions more in private investment. Farmers and agribusiness will get $45 million to help digital technology and on-farm connectivity while $48 million will boost mobile phone coverage on highways. An additional $2.1 billion will be invested in building and upgrading regional schools. Amid difficulties getting doctors out to the bush and remote communities, more than $1 billion will be invested to build hospitals, reduce overdue surgeries and set up new targeted programs. These include a new hospital in Gunnedah and a statewide mental health infrastructure program to boost in-patient services. About $1 billion will be splashed to build four special business precincts in Parkes, Moree, Wagga Wagga and the Snowy Mountains that play to each region's strengths, from freight and logistics to horticulture. Frequent bushfires and floods have exploded natural disaster recovery and relief costs as 3.2 million regional residents are promised upgraded hospitals, new preschools and better roads. As communities in northern NSW continue cleaning up from floods in May and the memories of February's Cyclone Alfred fade, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey on Tuesday set aside another $4.2 billion towards future and past disaster relief. That figure, outlined in the 2025/26 state budget, was "likely to increase in response to both previous and potentially new natural disasters", he said. It comes amid yearly disaster relief spending of $1.6 billion since the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires, a 10-fold increase on the prior six years. Several areas have been hit twice, including the northern rivers smashed by record-breaking floods in 2022 and significant flooding in March. Some $2.3 billion will be specifically allocated to repair cratered local and state roads damaged in Lismore and surrounding towns, as well as in the Hunter. Another $63 million will be dedicated to relocating locals in the northern rivers looking for safer residential options, while $27 million is being injected into water and sewer infrastructure in central west NSW. Feral pest management funding has been carried over by a $9 million top-up to cull feral pigs and deer but groups such as the Invasive Species Council said a more comprehensive and scientifically grounded program was needed. Drought-affected farmers, selling their sheep and cattles at record rates, are left empty-handed for now. "Areas around the Riverina, Cootamundra council areas have been in drought now for literally 12 months ... no recognition from this government around what that means," Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said. "In the last month, there's been a little bit of rain, but that does not make the season and there's concerns about that drought spreading." He also attacked a record $1 billion injection in biosecurity measures saying it was "paltry" amid myriad threats from fire ants, cattle tick, varroa mites and foot-and-mouth "knocking on the door". Labor's budget also targets a more environmentally-minded future with a focus on renewable energy. Some $2.1 billion over four years will primarily support five renewable energy zones, unlocking billions more in private investment. Farmers and agribusiness will get $45 million to help digital technology and on-farm connectivity while $48 million will boost mobile phone coverage on highways. An additional $2.1 billion will be invested in building and upgrading regional schools. Amid difficulties getting doctors out to the bush and remote communities, more than $1 billion will be invested to build hospitals, reduce overdue surgeries and set up new targeted programs. These include a new hospital in Gunnedah and a statewide mental health infrastructure program to boost in-patient services. About $1 billion will be splashed to build four special business precincts in Parkes, Moree, Wagga Wagga and the Snowy Mountains that play to each region's strengths, from freight and logistics to horticulture.
The Advertiser
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Cost of climate change hits regions and budget hard
Frequent bushfires and flooding have exploded natural disaster recovery and relief costs as 3.2 million regional residents are being promised upgraded hospitals, new preschools and better roads. As communities in northern NSW continued cleaning up from inundating floods in May and the memory of February's Cyclone Alfred faded, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey on Tuesday set aside another $4.2 billion towards future and past disaster relief. That figure, outlined in the 2025/26 state budget, was "likely to increase in response to both previous and potentially new natural disasters", he noted. It comes amid yearly disaster relief spending hitting $1.6 billion since the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires, a 10-fold increase on the prior six years. Several areas have been hit twice, including the northern rivers smashed by record-breaking floods in 2022 and significant flooding in March. Some $2.3 billion will be specifically allocated to repair cratered local and state roads damaged in Lismore and surrounding towns, as well as in the Hunter. Another $63 million will be dedicated to relocating locals in the northern rivers looking for safer residential options. while $27 million is being injected into water and sewer infrastructure in central west NSW. But feral pest management funding has been slashed 30 per cent while drought-affected farmers, selling their sheep and cattles at record rates, are left empty-handed for now. "Areas around the Riverina, Cootamundra council areas have been in drought now for literally 12 months ... no recognition from this government around what that means," Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said. "In the last month, there's been a little bit of rain, but that does not make the season and there's concerns about that drought spreading." He also attacked a record $1 billion injection in biosecurity measures saying it was "paltry" amid myriad threats from fire ants, cattle tick, varroa mites and foot-and-mouth "knocking on the door". Labor's budget also targets a more environmentally-minded future with a focus on renewable energy. Some $2.1 billion over four years will primarily support five renewable energy zones, unlocking billions more in private investment. Farmers and agribusiness will get $45 million to help digital technology and on-farm connectivity while $48 million will boost mobile phone coverage on highways. An additional $2.1 billion will be invested in building and upgrading schools in Dapto, Broken Hill and elsewhere. Amid difficulties getting doctors out to the bush and remote communities, more than $1 billion will be invested to build hospitals, reduce overdue surgeries and set up new targeted programs. These include a new hospital in Gunnedah and a state-wide mental health infrastructure program to boost in-patient services. About $1 billion will be splashed to build four special business precincts in Parkes, Moree, Wagga Wagga and Snowy Mountains that play to each region's strengths, from freight and logistics to horticulture. Frequent bushfires and flooding have exploded natural disaster recovery and relief costs as 3.2 million regional residents are being promised upgraded hospitals, new preschools and better roads. As communities in northern NSW continued cleaning up from inundating floods in May and the memory of February's Cyclone Alfred faded, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey on Tuesday set aside another $4.2 billion towards future and past disaster relief. That figure, outlined in the 2025/26 state budget, was "likely to increase in response to both previous and potentially new natural disasters", he noted. It comes amid yearly disaster relief spending hitting $1.6 billion since the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires, a 10-fold increase on the prior six years. Several areas have been hit twice, including the northern rivers smashed by record-breaking floods in 2022 and significant flooding in March. Some $2.3 billion will be specifically allocated to repair cratered local and state roads damaged in Lismore and surrounding towns, as well as in the Hunter. Another $63 million will be dedicated to relocating locals in the northern rivers looking for safer residential options. while $27 million is being injected into water and sewer infrastructure in central west NSW. But feral pest management funding has been slashed 30 per cent while drought-affected farmers, selling their sheep and cattles at record rates, are left empty-handed for now. "Areas around the Riverina, Cootamundra council areas have been in drought now for literally 12 months ... no recognition from this government around what that means," Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said. "In the last month, there's been a little bit of rain, but that does not make the season and there's concerns about that drought spreading." He also attacked a record $1 billion injection in biosecurity measures saying it was "paltry" amid myriad threats from fire ants, cattle tick, varroa mites and foot-and-mouth "knocking on the door". Labor's budget also targets a more environmentally-minded future with a focus on renewable energy. Some $2.1 billion over four years will primarily support five renewable energy zones, unlocking billions more in private investment. Farmers and agribusiness will get $45 million to help digital technology and on-farm connectivity while $48 million will boost mobile phone coverage on highways. An additional $2.1 billion will be invested in building and upgrading schools in Dapto, Broken Hill and elsewhere. Amid difficulties getting doctors out to the bush and remote communities, more than $1 billion will be invested to build hospitals, reduce overdue surgeries and set up new targeted programs. These include a new hospital in Gunnedah and a state-wide mental health infrastructure program to boost in-patient services. About $1 billion will be splashed to build four special business precincts in Parkes, Moree, Wagga Wagga and Snowy Mountains that play to each region's strengths, from freight and logistics to horticulture. Frequent bushfires and flooding have exploded natural disaster recovery and relief costs as 3.2 million regional residents are being promised upgraded hospitals, new preschools and better roads. As communities in northern NSW continued cleaning up from inundating floods in May and the memory of February's Cyclone Alfred faded, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey on Tuesday set aside another $4.2 billion towards future and past disaster relief. That figure, outlined in the 2025/26 state budget, was "likely to increase in response to both previous and potentially new natural disasters", he noted. It comes amid yearly disaster relief spending hitting $1.6 billion since the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires, a 10-fold increase on the prior six years. Several areas have been hit twice, including the northern rivers smashed by record-breaking floods in 2022 and significant flooding in March. Some $2.3 billion will be specifically allocated to repair cratered local and state roads damaged in Lismore and surrounding towns, as well as in the Hunter. Another $63 million will be dedicated to relocating locals in the northern rivers looking for safer residential options. while $27 million is being injected into water and sewer infrastructure in central west NSW. But feral pest management funding has been slashed 30 per cent while drought-affected farmers, selling their sheep and cattles at record rates, are left empty-handed for now. "Areas around the Riverina, Cootamundra council areas have been in drought now for literally 12 months ... no recognition from this government around what that means," Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said. "In the last month, there's been a little bit of rain, but that does not make the season and there's concerns about that drought spreading." He also attacked a record $1 billion injection in biosecurity measures saying it was "paltry" amid myriad threats from fire ants, cattle tick, varroa mites and foot-and-mouth "knocking on the door". Labor's budget also targets a more environmentally-minded future with a focus on renewable energy. Some $2.1 billion over four years will primarily support five renewable energy zones, unlocking billions more in private investment. Farmers and agribusiness will get $45 million to help digital technology and on-farm connectivity while $48 million will boost mobile phone coverage on highways. An additional $2.1 billion will be invested in building and upgrading schools in Dapto, Broken Hill and elsewhere. Amid difficulties getting doctors out to the bush and remote communities, more than $1 billion will be invested to build hospitals, reduce overdue surgeries and set up new targeted programs. These include a new hospital in Gunnedah and a state-wide mental health infrastructure program to boost in-patient services. About $1 billion will be splashed to build four special business precincts in Parkes, Moree, Wagga Wagga and Snowy Mountains that play to each region's strengths, from freight and logistics to horticulture. Frequent bushfires and flooding have exploded natural disaster recovery and relief costs as 3.2 million regional residents are being promised upgraded hospitals, new preschools and better roads. As communities in northern NSW continued cleaning up from inundating floods in May and the memory of February's Cyclone Alfred faded, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey on Tuesday set aside another $4.2 billion towards future and past disaster relief. That figure, outlined in the 2025/26 state budget, was "likely to increase in response to both previous and potentially new natural disasters", he noted. It comes amid yearly disaster relief spending hitting $1.6 billion since the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires, a 10-fold increase on the prior six years. Several areas have been hit twice, including the northern rivers smashed by record-breaking floods in 2022 and significant flooding in March. Some $2.3 billion will be specifically allocated to repair cratered local and state roads damaged in Lismore and surrounding towns, as well as in the Hunter. Another $63 million will be dedicated to relocating locals in the northern rivers looking for safer residential options. while $27 million is being injected into water and sewer infrastructure in central west NSW. But feral pest management funding has been slashed 30 per cent while drought-affected farmers, selling their sheep and cattles at record rates, are left empty-handed for now. "Areas around the Riverina, Cootamundra council areas have been in drought now for literally 12 months ... no recognition from this government around what that means," Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said. "In the last month, there's been a little bit of rain, but that does not make the season and there's concerns about that drought spreading." He also attacked a record $1 billion injection in biosecurity measures saying it was "paltry" amid myriad threats from fire ants, cattle tick, varroa mites and foot-and-mouth "knocking on the door". Labor's budget also targets a more environmentally-minded future with a focus on renewable energy. Some $2.1 billion over four years will primarily support five renewable energy zones, unlocking billions more in private investment. Farmers and agribusiness will get $45 million to help digital technology and on-farm connectivity while $48 million will boost mobile phone coverage on highways. An additional $2.1 billion will be invested in building and upgrading schools in Dapto, Broken Hill and elsewhere. Amid difficulties getting doctors out to the bush and remote communities, more than $1 billion will be invested to build hospitals, reduce overdue surgeries and set up new targeted programs. These include a new hospital in Gunnedah and a state-wide mental health infrastructure program to boost in-patient services. About $1 billion will be splashed to build four special business precincts in Parkes, Moree, Wagga Wagga and Snowy Mountains that play to each region's strengths, from freight and logistics to horticulture.
Perth Now
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Cost of climate change hits regions and budget hard
Frequent bushfires and flooding have exploded natural disaster recovery and relief costs as 3.2 million regional residents are being promised upgraded hospitals, new preschools and better roads. As communities in northern NSW continued cleaning up from inundating floods in May and the memory of February's Cyclone Alfred faded, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey on Tuesday set aside another $4.2 billion towards future and past disaster relief. That figure, outlined in the 2025/26 state budget, was "likely to increase in response to both previous and potentially new natural disasters", he noted. It comes amid yearly disaster relief spending hitting $1.6 billion since the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires, a 10-fold increase on the prior six years. Several areas have been hit twice, including the northern rivers smashed by record-breaking floods in 2022 and significant flooding in March. Some $2.3 billion will be specifically allocated to repair cratered local and state roads damaged in Lismore and surrounding towns, as well as in the Hunter. Another $63 million will be dedicated to relocating locals in the northern rivers looking for safer residential options. while $27 million is being injected into water and sewer infrastructure in central west NSW. But feral pest management funding has been slashed 30 per cent while drought-affected farmers, selling their sheep and cattles at record rates, are left empty-handed for now. "Areas around the Riverina, Cootamundra council areas have been in drought now for literally 12 months ... no recognition from this government around what that means," Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said. "In the last month, there's been a little bit of rain, but that does not make the season and there's concerns about that drought spreading." He also attacked a record $1 billion injection in biosecurity measures saying it was "paltry" amid myriad threats from fire ants, cattle tick, varroa mites and foot-and-mouth "knocking on the door". Labor's budget also targets a more environmentally-minded future with a focus on renewable energy. Some $2.1 billion over four years will primarily support five renewable energy zones, unlocking billions more in private investment. Farmers and agribusiness will get $45 million to help digital technology and on-farm connectivity while $48 million will boost mobile phone coverage on highways. An additional $2.1 billion will be invested in building and upgrading schools in Dapto, Broken Hill and elsewhere. Amid difficulties getting doctors out to the bush and remote communities, more than $1 billion will be invested to build hospitals, reduce overdue surgeries and set up new targeted programs. These include a new hospital in Gunnedah and a state-wide mental health infrastructure program to boost in-patient services. About $1 billion will be splashed to build four special business precincts in Parkes, Moree, Wagga Wagga and Snowy Mountains that play to each region's strengths, from freight and logistics to horticulture.
7NEWS
27-05-2025
- Politics
- 7NEWS
NSW floods: Albanese declares crisis ‘worse than 2021' as he pledges more financial assistance
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned the recovery from overwhelming floods could take months but has promised less red tape and more money for impacted residents. While touring the sodden NSW Mid-North Coast on Tuesday, the prime minister pledged more financial assistance with a one-off disaster recovery payment of $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for children in nine local government areas. A disaster recovery allowance which provides up for 13 weeks of income support will also be extended to 19 local government areas. 'The last thing that people who've been through this experience need is to deal with bureaucracy and red tape,' the prime minister said. 'We want to make sure that the money flows and it flows through in a respectful way.' NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said the lump sum payments allotted were paltry, especially for primary producers. 'It's a good start ... but that will last only a week or so,' he said in Taree. 'That's not going to get fences back up in their paddocks. That's not going to buy all the new engines and gear they need to run their farms. 'It's a pretty big slap in the face.' Some 70 defence personnel have been deployed to aid with the mop-up efforts in the latest natural disaster to hit NSW, which has claimed five lives and left hundreds of homes uninhabitable. 'The human impact we must remember first and foremost,' Albanese said. 'The loss of five lives through these devastating floods, but the extraordinary hardship that people have gone through. 'People have spoken about the 2021 floods and how that had a devastating impact, but that they thought that would be the peak. 'Well, this flood has been far worse and the impact has been far more severe.' The prime minister said there are 'massive challenges' ahead as communities recover and prepare to rebuild. 'We're seeing people really pitch in and look after each other, people looking after their neighbours and bringing them into their homes, people who've been devastated,' he said. 'But there are still massive challenges, and we need to understand, and certainly the government understands, that this isn't something that will go away in a matter of days or weeks or even months. 'This will take some time for recovery, but Australians are resilient. They're tough, and we will come through this, and we'll come through it together.' Damage assessments are continuing on Tuesday with some 794 premises including homes and businesses on the Mid-North Coast already deemed uninhabitable, SES spokesman Matt Heap said. That dwellings figure is expected to sharply rise throughout the day. Weather conditions are set to ease from Wednesday but damaging winds will pass through the region first. MidCoast Mayor Claire Ponton said: 'People in this area have been suffering. 'It is totally overwhelming for everybody, and we're just so thankful that we're getting the help that we need to turn this around and actually get moving in a strong way for recovery.' Affected locals have been picking up muddied possessions and surveying damage, while drones have been used to drop hay to isolated farms and for aerial welfare checks at properties. Insurers have so far received more than 4000 claims. The crisis has prompted federal-state natural disaster recovery arrangements, including small loans for business, which have been activated for 19 local government areas. 'I can assure everybody on the Mid-North Coast that those agencies are working around the clock to get those communities back up on their feet,' Premier Chris Minns said.
