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Media Releases |
Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 4 March 2009 OPPOSITION ASLEEP ON NSW INVESTMENT Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, today told Parliament that the NSW Government is approving investment in infrastructure and major projects to stimulate growth, jobs and investment in NSW. Ms Keneally said the Government is using Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act to stimulate the NSW economy during the global financial crisis. “Since September last year 64 projects have been approved worth $9 billion creating over 20,000 jobs, not including modifications to existing projects,” Ms Keneally said. “The Government is creating jobs and driving economic investment in NSW, and we will continue to assess infrastructure and major project proposals in an efficient and coordinated manner. “We are doing this while ensuring the views of local residents and communities are taken into account. Last financial year alone the Government considered over 14,000 submissions from the public and other stakeholders during the assessment process for major projects. “Meanwhile the Opposition can’t get its story straight on how the Government should ensure decisions are made quickly and efficiently about major, job-creating projects. “On Monday last week the Opposition said infrastructure projects weren’t being approved fast enough and then the very next day they said the Government is approving major projects too quickly. “Their flip-flop approach to infrastructure development, their appointment of Max “the axe” and their un-informed calls to abolish Part 3A show their complete lack of knowledge about how things get done in NSW. “Industry groups such as the Urban Taskforce, the Sydney Chamber of Commerce and the NSW Minerals Council are all in support of Part 3A and its ability to help fast-track regionally significant commercial, industrial, retail and residential development. “If the Opposition had their way and axed Part 3A, projects such as the $850 million NSW section of the Queensland to Hunter Gas Pipe line, the $257 million redevelopment of Liverpool hospital and the $464 million Pacific Highway upgrade would be buried in red tape, still waiting for approval.”
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