Rees Government action on stimulus package delivering jobs

9 March 2009

New jobs are already being created in Western Sydney as the NSW Government wastes no time delivering the Rudd Government's Nation Building and Jobs Plan.

Premier Nathan Rees said that NSW is acting fast to put the Rudd Government’s economic stimulus package to work.

“We have placed an order for pre-constructed permanent school libraries to replace demountables in government schools, Mr Rees said.

“50 of these new libraries will be built by Western Sydney family run company Eastern Nomad.

“To complete our order, the company will immediately increase its workforce from 60 to 90 employees including 4 new apprenticeships.

“The order will also support up to an additional 18 jobs with suppliers and sub-contractors.

“This is an early down payment on the thousands of jobs that will be created as NSW delivers on the Rudd Government's investment in our schools.”

Mr Rees said the NSW Government would continue to work hard to turn the economic stimulus package into jobs.

“NSW is not immune to the global economic downturn, which started on Wall Street and has now spread across the world causing a global recession,” Mr Rees said.

“The economy is slowing and we are now seeing job losses in our own backyard.

“There is no higher priority for my Government than the support of existing jobs and the creation of new jobs for the families of NSW.”

As part of its Nation Building and Jobs Plan, the Rudd Government has provided $14.7 billion for school upgrade projects across Australia. Tight timeframes are attached to ensure that those projects create jobs quickly.

Education Minister Verity Firth said the NSW Government was ahead of the Federal Government’s timetables.

“NSW will submit its priority list of school upgrade projects to the Federal Government well before the April 10 deadline,” Ms Firth said.

“All NSW principals have been contacted and are currently working with their P&Cs to identify the works they’d like to see in their school.

“Expressions of interest for managing contractors of the on-site construction work are already being assessed.”

Managing Director of Eastern Nomad Buildings, David Wrench, said that this contract being announced today is the Government’s stimulus package in action in Western Sydney.

“The contract creates a foundation for the continued growth of our business including our existing 60 employees in Western Sydney. As a direct result of this contract, another 48 new jobs will be created across a range of trades and suppliers, including four new apprenticeships.

“Thousands of children at 50 primary schools across New South Wales will immediately benefit from these purpose-built new library facilities which are setting a new benchmark for the State.

“This is a great start and we look forward to continuing to partner with the New South Wales Government to bring these and other buildings to schools in the State,” he said.