An additional $50 million in funding has been added to the project of developing mining communities in local government outside of Sydney. 

This brings the total funding under the program to $305 million. 

The project gives mining communities the opportunity to upgrade their education, health facilities, cultural facilities, community services and roads and rail. 

“Mining supports more than 100,000 jobs, but the benefits can place extra pressure on community resources, such as conditions of local roads,” Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said. 

“It’s important that communities that contribute so much to the state receive their fair share of funding,” he added.

One example of the funding is seen through the refurbishment of the Broken Hill Civic Centre. They received $5 million in funding from the program. 

The funding allowed for them new flooring, installation of conference facilities, retractable seating and better speaker systems. 

Mr Barlaro said that this has improved Broken Hill as a community, as the improved Civic Centre will attract businesses, visitors and community organisations. 

“This is exactly the kind of result the program was designed to achieve, providing locals with a community facility where they can enjoy home-grown entertainment which will also help grow the local economy,” he added. 

Other projects include the redevelopment of Muswellbrook Hospital and $5 million Cobar to Nyngan water pipeline replacement.