Regional NSW was responsible for the highest number of new jobs than any other regional area in Australia, with 70,000 jobs created during the year ending November 2015.
Minister for Regional Development John Barilaro welcomed the latest ABS figures which show that of the total growth in regional areas across Australia, regional NSW is responsible for over 65 per cent.
“This is further evidence that our investment in regional NSW is driving business confidence, creating more opportunities and delivering new jobs for regional communities,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The NSW Government is investing close to $9 billion in infrastructure projects across regional and rural NSW, building roads, hospitals, schools and tourism facilities.”
Regional NSW has also recorded the largest decrease in the unemployment rate of all regions, falling from 7.5% to 6.1% over the same period.
The NSW Government has put regional NSW back on the map. Infrastructure investments contributing to the success of the NSW regional economy include:
· Committing $6 billion of investment under Rebuilding NSW to accelerate capital investment in regional areas;
· Continuing delivery of $110 million under the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund, including vital infrastructure investment for regional airports;
· Securing $92 million of Commonwealth, state and private funds for the Blackspots Program.