Despite the expected Budget outcome of a deficit of $824 million at the end of the 2012/13 financial year, there were a couple of funding announcements that affect Wilcannia.

Out of the $20 million Minor School Maintenance Budget Wilcannia Central School will receive $8,290, White Cliffs Public School $1,798 and Ivanhoe Central School. $4,937.

Additional funding has also been provided for the training and skill development of General Assistants.

Wilcannia Central School will receive $1,000, White Cliffs Public School $400 and Ivanhoe Central School $600.

The Aboriginal Housing Office will undertake major works and provide 2 units of Accommodation in Wilcannia at a cost of $1,150,000.

The State Property Office is spending a total of $1,243,000 on the new office/accommodation block in Reid Street, opposite the Westpac Bank. Most of this will be spent before the 30th June of this with only $1,000 to be spent in the 2012/13 year.

The Teacher Housing Authority has been given $600,00 to build 2 x 2 bedroom units in Wilcannia. Menindee will get 1 x 4 bedroom house for $350,000. The majority of this funding is for the 2012/13 year with only a small amount to be spent before the 30th June 2012.

Transport NSW will provide Central Darling Shire Council with funding for Community Transport Services:

• 75,000 for Ivanhoe
• $103,000 for  Menindee
• $101,000 Wilcannia Community Access bus .

In the Roads bucket of funding $1,100,00 for the gravel resheeting etc on Regional and Local roads in the Unincorporated Area.

The Cobb Highway received a total of $2,500,000.

$1,000,000 for the initial sealing of the Cobb Highway near White Elephant Tank (near Rosewood   Station) $1,000,000 for pavement resurfacing along various locations on the Cobb Highway. The remaining $500,000 of funding for the Cobb Highway will be spent on upgrading the bridge over the Murray River at Echuca/Moama

NSW has also announced that they are working with South Australia to “develop proposals for the reform of state taxes”. What these are and any proposed changes have not been made public.

In all, NSW plans to spend some $60.5 billion in the next 12 months. Of this $15 billion will be spent on infrastructure and new works.