Released 12/11/2018
Joint media release: Andrew Barr MLA, ACT Chief Minister and John Barilaro MP, Deputy Premier of NSW
The ACT and NSW governments have committed to improving freight and export opportunities at the Canberra Airport as part of its regional agreement.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro marked it as key priority in the 2018-19 ACT-NSW Work Plan.
The governments also today released the 2017-18 ACT-NSW Progress Report reflecting on the achievements of the ACT-NSW Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Mr Barr and Mr Barilaro have both been strong supporters of the airport’s potential as a regional airfreight hub, particularly for time-sensitive fresh meats, fruits and dairy products.
Mr Barr said progress under the MoU was also strengthening the ACT Government’s vision for a borderless region.
“The local visitor economy particularly benefits from a borderless region,” Mr Barr said.
“Tourism is one of the key drivers of our economy and given the ACT’s popularity with local and overseas visitors, it is only sensible to pursue a shared vision with NSW to further open up the opportunities for our regional experience seekers.”
“The joint collaboration between Destination Southern NSW and VisitCanberra under this MoU has enabled the development of regional tourism promotion, industry development and co-investment activities.”
The NSW Cross-Border Commissioner James McTavish said the Progress Report and Worklist identified real headway and ambition from the two governments in response to many complex border issues.
“Under our Future Transport 2056 Strategy, Canberra is identified as a Global Gateway City, hosting an airport with both domestic and international freight capabilities and potential access for regional NSW businesses,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The collaboration between our state governments, as well as alignment with our local government strategies, is good news for our southern NSW and ACT producers seeking easy and fast access to markets, particularly in Asia, with additional flow-on benefits to cargo flights and passenger services,” he said.
“The NSW Government also recognises the great opportunities that partnership can provide, and thanks to initiatives such as the Cross-Border Commissioner’s Infrastructure Fund and co-investment from the ACT Government, facilities such as the Rugby League Centre of Excellence become a reality.”
Other key projects identified in the 2018-19 Cross-Border Commissioner’s worklist are:
- Expansion of automatic mutual recognition for holders of certain categories of occupational licences
- Implementation of a cross border land and housing monitoring framework
- Continued alignment of container deposit schemes
- Joint opportunities to improve the Sydney to Canberra rail line
- Identification of regional projects for co-investment
- Alignment of regulation and legislation to allow point to point transport services to operate across the border
- Alignment of policies and procedures for teacher registration/accreditation
- Alignment of services and enhanced accessibility to housing and support programs for victims of family and domestic violence
- Development of clinical pathways to improve access to health services and reduce delays
The 2017-18 ACT-NSW Progress Report and the 2018-19 ACT-NSW Annual Work Plan are available at https://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/programs-and-services/nsw-cross-border-commissioner/act-nsw-cross-border-agreement/.
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases
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