Priorities for investment
The fund is helping to deliver critical infrastructure and priority initiatives identified in the 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW, NSW State Infrastructure Strategy 2018–2038 and other long-term government plans.
The five areas of immediate focus are improved water security, digital connectivity, attracting industry investment through Special Activation Precincts, improving freight linkages and rail and road transport connections
Throughout planning and delivery, we will continue to consult with the community as we develop projects for these focus areas:
- Providing water security in priority catchments: investing in catchment-scale water security infrastructure for regional NSW including dams, pipelines and weirs.
- Improving digital connectivity across regional NSW: exploring shared infrastructure to increase digital access; improving liveability, productivity and innovation in regional NSW. Scoping studies will explore options to provide faster and more reliable digital connectivity across regional NSW through shared infrastructure to increase mobile coverage and high-capacity ‘backbone’ data links to Sydney; improving connectivity and data access for businesses.
- Activating regional locations for increased business investment: Special Activation Precincts will create jobs, attract businesses and investors, support local industries and fuel economic development across regional NSW. Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Moree, Williamtown, the Snowy Mountains and Narrabri have all been announced as locations for precincts, and are each in various stages of planning and delivery.
- Improving freight linkages: improving freight networks to get high quality regional NSW goods to national and international customers faster. This may include cold chain storage, smart logistics and technology, freight and customs facilities.
- Improving rail and road passenger transport connections: exploring opportunities to invest in infrastructure that makes travel between regional centres and to metropolitan areas faster and easier.
Work has started on these projects.
Related information
Water security
Ensuring ongoing access to a reliable water supply is a priority for the NSW Government and a core focus of the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund.
Regional Digital Connectivity Program
The NSW Government has committed $400 million to bring a faster and more reliable digital network to regional NSW.
Special Activation Precincts
A Special Activation Precinct is a dedicated area in a regional location identified by the NSW Government to become a thriving business hub.
Freight linkages
The NSW Government is investigating improvements in freight logistics and supply chain processes to help farmers and regional communities get the state’s world-class produce to domestic and international markets as efficiently as possible.
Improving road and rail transport connections
The NSW Government has a vision for vibrant and growing regional economies, providing NSW residents with more jobs, greater opportunities and better quality of life.
