Regional NSW Deserves Its Fair Share of Infrastructure Funding 

6 August 2026 

Regional New South Wales is being short-changed on infrastructure investment, according to the Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, who has used a Public Interest Debate in Parliament to call for a fairer share of funding for country communities. He’s also launched a survey on his website for people to identify stalled projects in their community. 

Mr Butler says regional people make up almost one-third of the State's population, but regional electorates are receiving as little as five per cent of the State's direct infrastructure spending this financial year. 

“Regional communities aren't asking for special treatment, they're asking for fair treatment,” said Mr Butler. “If nearly one-third of the population lives in regional New South Wales, it’s hard to justify a situation where only five per cent of infrastructure spending is flowing to regional electorates.”  

Mr Butler said governments routinely find additional funding when Sydney metro lines and roads run over budget, while country projects remain stalled. He identified the Cobar water pipeline, the Wilcannia Weir, the Wild Dog Fence and the Far West Doppler Radar as projects that have been starved of funds in Barwon.  

“Country people don't begrudge Sydney its major projects, but communities in western New South Wales do need basic services,” said Mr Butler. “They're asking for reliable water supplies, housing, livestock protection and accurate weather information. These are necessities, not luxuries.” 

Mr Butler has released a survey on his website for local people to identify other important projects that have been stalled: https://www.roybutler.com.au/stalled_projects 

Mr Butler said a lack of infrastructure makes it harder to attract workers, families and private investment to regional communities. 

“Investing in infrastructure like water security and housing isn't a handout,” said Mr Butler. “It's an investment in productive regional communities that generate jobs, exports and economic growth for the entire State.”

See a public Interest debate on this topic https://youtu.be/UwGwEAmPnuc