Regional communities across NSW are set to benefit from the Carr Government’s allocation of $600 million in the 2004/2005 budget to fund a range of support programs for older people, people with a disability, their families and carers.
The regional allocation represents more than 43% of the $1.385 billion total to be spent on disability and aged services across the state.
The Minister for Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Carmel Tebbutt said, “The NSW Government is committed to improving access to specialist and mainstream services for people with a disability, older people and their carers living in rural and remote NSW.
“Spending on programs and services in rural and regional NSW in 2004-05 is estimated to include:
· More than $123 million in the Riverina Murray, Far West and Central West regions;
· More than $131 million in the Far North Coast, New England and Mid-North Coast regions;
· More than $112 million in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands regions; and
· More than $234 million in the Hunter and Central Coast regions.
“The 2004/5 budget for regional and rural NSW will assist in the provision of prevention and early intervention programs while improving access to specialist and mainstream services and support networks.
“More than $187 million will be spent in regional NSW on home and community care services (HACC) to assist frail older people and people with a disability to live independently in the community. HACC spending in regional areas includes:
· More than $47 million in the Riverina Murray, Far West and Central West regions;
· More than $52 million in the Far North Coast, New England and Mid-North Coast regions;
· More than $36 million in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands regions; and
· More than $52 million in the Hunter and Central Coast regions.
“The 2004/5 budget is evidence of the NSW Government’s continued commitment to building better services for people with a disability, older people and their carers living in regional communities.”
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