To further consolidate recent signs of economic recovery, the NSW Government will investigate expanding laws that delivered the most successful stimulus package in the nation.
The NSW stimulus laws are delivering a record 1,300 projects, 4,000 social
housing homes, and supported 7,800 daily on-site workers in more than 11
months. They also injected more than $1 billion into the State economy in a year.
“There are many benefits and lessons to be learned from the delivery of the stimulus,” Premier Kristina Keneally said.
“It is proving to be an overwhelming success and NSW leads the nation in its delivery.
“NSW is a virtual construction site.
"We are seeing the green shoots of recovery and we want to build on that.”
Ms Keneally today announced she would appoint an independent auditor to review powers being exercised to implement the Australian Economic Stimulus Package in NSW – and offer recommendations on how it can potentially be applied to other projects.
“I would like to evaluate the benefits of applying the principles of this legislation to other significant infrastructure projects in NSW, such as major transport projects, significant commercial or even appropriate residential projects,” Ms Keneally said.
“I want NSW to continue to benefit from the jobs and investment created by our Stimulus programs.
“The Stimulus Package is about supporting local economies during these difficult economic times.”
Treasurer Eric Roozendaal said the stimulus programs plus the Government’s investment of $65.5 billion over the next four years on infrastructure are supporting more than 165,000 jobs a year.
“The Government’s priority is jobs and supporting the growth of the $380 billion NSW economy,” Mr Roozendaal said.
“With continued stimulus programs and even more growth in the construction industry, we will continue to see an increase in job opportunities across the state.”
Under the NSW Nation Building and Jobs Plan (State Infrastructure Delivery) Act, the Premier is required to appoint an independent reviewer to report back on the operation and management of the Act – this must take place by March 13, 12 months after operation. The appointment will be announced before this time.
The reviewer will examine:
- The NSW Nation Building and Jobs Plan (State Infrastructure Delivery) Act enacted on 13 March 2009 to fast track projects and Commonwealth funds to secure a steady flow of jobs – without liability to the State down the track. The Act is designed to work alongside existing planning legislation but allows for a Coordinator General to ‘call in’ projects which, for whatever reason, are being delayed.
- The functions of the NSW Infrastructure Coordinator General - set up under section 6 of the Act - to plan and oversee a program delivery of infrastructure projects within the timeframes required for Commonwealth funding, and advise on appropriate tendering and procurement procedures. This role includes coordinating the delivery by government agencies of infrastructure projects.; and authorising an infrastructure project as exempt from development control legislation e.g. the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
The State Government would also ask the review to:
- Evaluate the benefits and other consequences of applying the principles of this legislation beyond education and public housing to other significant infrastructure projects in NSW, such as major transport projects, significant commercial or even appropriate residential projects
Public and stakeholder comment will be considered as part of the review process.
Ms Keneally said the Stimulus works in NSW had delivered projects in education and public housing in record time – injecting more than $1 billion into the NSW economy.
Stimulus Project Status Update
NSW responded to the Australian Government’s Economic Stimulus package by coordinating its effort through a special purpose Taskforce and establishing special purpose delivery offices in both Housing and Education agencies and passed the Nation Building and Jobs Plan (Infrastructure) Act
last March to facilitate the timeliness and quality required for the delivery of the program.
NSW is reaching all targets set by the Commonwealth and we are on track to continue to meet them.
As of the end of January:
- More than $1billion has already been injected into the NSW economy
- Construction has commenced on nearly all of its NSW’s 118 Science and Language Centre projects
- More than 4,000 social housing homes have commenced out of a final total of 6,000. This is well ahead of program and the targets set by the Commonwealth.
- More than 200 social housing homes completed and handed over to tenants
- The National School Pride component of the Building the Education Revolution will be completed this month.
- We are working on more than 1,300 Primary School construction (P21) projects across NSW
- In Education’s P21 projects alone, there are an 7,880 estimated average daily number of onsite workers
- More than 30 Primary Schools for the 21st Century (P21) projects are due to be ready for use by students early in Term 1, 2010. Among these include a new library at Sutton Forrest Public School; new covered outdoor learning areas (COLAs) at Tulloona and Afterlee Public School as well as new covered walkways and a COLA upgrade at Bellbrook Public School. Also among the works to be ready is the first P21 project to start – Minto Public School, which received a new hall and covered outdoor learning area.
