The 2020-21 NSW Budget handed down today provides a major boost to Tweed health and Tweed education, according to Tweed Nationals MP Geoff Provest.

“In particular, the Budget allocates $82.7 million from the Jobs and Infrastructure Acceleration Fund to turbocharge construction of the new Tweed Valley Hospital,” Mr Provest said

“Funding has also been allocated to complete the upgrade of Tweed River High School by June next year and Kingscliff High School, Kingscliff Public School and Tweed Heads South Public School by December 2021.”

The Tweed will benefit from a range of other education initiatives, 12 months of free community preschool for our littlest learners to ensure they are well prepared to start school, free student tutoring and the installation of energy efficient lighting in public schools.

Tens of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses across the State are also set to benefit. Digital vouchers worth $1,500 will be available to help pay for government fees and charges as part of the Government’s COVID-19 stimulus and recovery plan in the 2020-21 NSW Budget.

These new vouchers will provide a critical cash injection for smaller businesses below the payroll tax threshold.

“This Budget also sees a further investment in walking and cycleways across the Tweed.

The State government will also give every adult in NSW four $25 vouchers to spend separately on dining and entertainment as a stimulus measure to encourage visits to struggling cafes, restaurants and cultural institutions.

“I encourage all Tweed residents to spend those vouchers locally. They are designed to support Tweed small business, not go to Queensland which has treated us so shoddily throughout the pandemic,” Mr Provest concluded.

For more information about the NSW Government’s 2020-21 Budget, please go to budget.nsw.gov.au