Government urged to stay the course on regional infrastructure

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin has warned the federal government not to scrap long-promised infrastructure projects.

Media reports of cutbacks in next week’s federal budget were very concerning to rural, remote and regional communities, Mr Martin said, because they would have a direct impact on safety and future productivity.

“There are a number of critical projects either committed to or under construction that are vital to our farmers and our farming communities,” Mr Martin said.

“The good, clean food and fibre we grow on our farms need good, safe, fit-for-purpose transport links, and that’s where these big projects are essential.

“The agriculture sector needs this infrastructure investment to go ahead so we can keep driving economic activity and recovery across so much of the state.”

Mr Martin said projects such as the Great Western Highway were a critical link between farmers and consumers, with an upgrade needed to get produce from the food bowl of the Central West to the new Western Sydney airport.

“We are very worried about reports of the Commonwealth scrapping or delaying projects,” Mr Martin said.

“Agriculture plays a huge role in driving our nation forward and we need the support of the federal government to deliver food and fibre safely and efficiently.

“Any cuts to infrastructure projects outside of the major cities will have a huge and long-lasting impact on rural, regional and remote communities.”