The NSW Nationals in the state government will deliver a record investment into regional roads and transport in 2022-23, with the commitment totalling $10.6 billion.
Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the NSW Government was securing a brighter future for families by building what matters to make daily life better.
“More than ever before, this year’s Budget is about investing in projects that better connect regional communities for generations to come,” Mr Farraway said.
“Our investment in rail infrastructure will replace the current XPT fleet with a modern one, and our commitment to fast rail that will transform the way we travel through the Central West.
“Regional NSW has been challenged by natural disasters and the pandemic, so I know that our transport planning and delivery needs to be agile and adaptable to better respond to changes in commuter needs and travel patterns.
“We are focused on building back better so our communities can build their way forward. This commitment is highlighted by our $156.3 million commitment, matched by the Commonwealth Government, to strengthen long-term resilience and connections for regional communities with a priority on supporting those on the NSW North Coast.”
This year’s NSW State Budget will deliver a record $39.8 billion in funding for transport infrastructure and service delivery in 2022-23. This investment will help continue to deliver certainty, create jobs and minimise the impacts of COVID-19 on the State’s economy.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, critical construction and maintenance work across the NSW roads and transport networks, including projects in regional and rural areas, ensured more than 130,000 people directly or indirectly were kept in a job.
Funding commitments to regional transport in this year’s Budget includes:
• $510.1 million for regional bus services, including dedicated school services
• $399.1 million to deliver a modern new Regional Rail Fleet to replace the XPT, XPLORER and Endeavour trains, which will be maintained at a new purpose-built facility in Dubbo 2
• $95 million to continue detailed planning and start early work on the Fast Rail network, to deliver fast, frequent and reliable connections between Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle in collaboration with the Commonwealth Government
• $42.5 million for the Fixing Country Rail Program to provide improved capacity, access, efficiency and reliability of the regional rail network and to improve movement of freight in and out of regional areas
• $10.0 million for a state-first trial of hydrogen-powered electric buses on the Central Coast
Regional road investment highlights from the 2022-23 NSW Budget includes:
• $308.3 million for the continued commitment for Newell Highway upgrades including the jointly funded delivery of 40 new overtaking lanes, Parkes bypass, new Dubbo Bridge, and heavy-duty pavement upgrades
• $245.9 million for the jointly funded delivery of the Coffs Harbour Bypass
• $163.2 million to continue the joint $4.5 billion commitment to duplicate capacity on the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow
• $117.9 million to continue planning the jointly funded M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace and commence early works construction on widening Hexham Straight
• $100.8 million to continue upgrades along the Princes Highway, including construction on South Batemans Bay Link Road, and on the jointly funded new Nowra Bridge
• $91.2 million to continue construction on the Belford to Golden Highway duplication along the New England Highway, along with early work on Singleton bypass and continued planning for Tenterfield bypass
• $69.0 million to continue planning and delivery of road projects in the Central Coast area including Pacific Highway, Parsons Road to Ourimbah Street, Lisarow, jointly funded Wyong Town Centre and Manns Road intersection upgrades at Narara Creek and Stockyard Place
• $52.5 million to continue the transformation of the Princes Highway from south of Nowra to the Victorian border, along with jointly funded planning and delivery to improve safety, travel times and freight efficiency of Jervis Bay Road Intersection, Jervis Bay to Sussex Inlet Upgrade and the Milton-Ulladulla Bypass
• $45.1 million towards planning for the jointly funded upgrade of Picton Road
• $38.4 million to continue construction of the Nelligen Bridge Replacement project on the Kings Highway over the Clyde River
• $24.2 million to continuing improvements on the jointly funded Barton Highway duplication
• $14.2 million for the NSW and Commonwealth governments’ joint commitment for early work on the Muswellbrook Bypass
• $13.9 million to upgrade Nelson Bay Road, duplicating road from Williamtown to Bobs Farm
• $11.5 million to continue construction on the Monaro Highway upgrade program
