Weighing in at more than 700 pages, the latest NSW Budget isn’t exactly light reading. But it contains a lot of great news for rural and regional NSW. Here’s some of the highlights from what many are calling “the Budget for the bush”.
Northern NSW
Northern NSW will receive funding boosts for hospitals and schools, and $792 million has been committed to continue construction of the Pacific Highway upgrade between Woolgoolga and Ballina, providing vital infrastructure improvements.
Key highlights from the 2019-20 Budget include:
- $792.3 million to continue construction of the Pacific Highway upgrade between Woolgoolga and Ballina (State and Federal funded);
- $97.4 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $582.1 million project) for the Tweed hospital and integrated Ambulatory Services;
- $54.3 million to continue construction of the Newell Highway heavy duty pavement upgrade between Mungle Back Creek and Boggabilla (State and Federal funded);
- $53 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $312.8 million project) for the redevelopment of Lismore Hospital (Stages 3A, 3B and 3C);
- $52.7 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $194 million project) for the expansion of Coffs Harbour Hospital;
- $41.7 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $73 million project) for the Macksville Hospital Redevelopment;
- $30.4 million to continue construction of the New England Highway upgrade at Bolivia Hill (State and Federal funded);
- $25.7 million to complete construction of the additional bridge over the Clarence River at Grafton;
- $23.4 million for planning and preconstruction activities for the Pacific Highway bypass of Coffs Harbour (State and Federal funded);
- $19.8 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $60 million project) for the Inverell Hospital Redevelopment;
- $19.6 million to continue construction of the second road over rail bridge at Gunnedah;
- $9 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $17.5 million project) for the Grafton Ambulatory Care Centre redevelopment;
- $7.5 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $10 million project) for the Rural Health Infrastructure Program to upgrade health facilities at Tenterfield, Scone, Gloucester, and Dungog;
- $350,000 in 2019-20 for the planning and design of a co-located Fire and Rescue NSW and Ambulance station in Lismore;
- Upgrade to Tamworth Public School.
Southern NSW
The 2019-20 NSW Budget delivers major investment in a wide range of areas for Southern NSW.
Key highlights from the 2019-20 Budget include:
- $88 million to continue construction of the Princes Highway Batemans Bay Bridge replacement;
- $71.3 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $431.4 million project) for the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital Redevelopment;
- $59 million to continue Barton Highway improvements (State and Federal funded);
- $47.8 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $150 million project) for the Goulburn Hospital Redevelopment;
- $42.2 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $68.7 million project) for the Bowral Hospital Redevelopment;
- $36 million in 2019-20 for the New South Wales Government’s contribution towards the new Cobb Highway bridge over the Murray River between Echuca and Moama;
- $32 million over three years to continue upgrades and improvements to the Snowies Iconic Great Walk, Murramarang South Coast Walk, Thredbo Valley Track and Light to Light Great Walk;
- $31 million to complete construction of the Ellerton Drive extension to provide a bypass of the Queanbeyan central business district (State, Federal and Local Government funded);
- $25 million for a new police station in Goulburn;
- $20 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $30 million project) for the Albury Base Hospital Emergency Department Expansion;
- $14.2 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $250 million project) for the Griffith Hospital Redevelopment;
- $13 million for a new police station in Bega;
- $13 million committed to build new police stations in the Jindabyne area. Projects will commence on 1 July 2020;
- $9.3 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $18.6 million project) for the Cooma Hospital Redevelopment;
- $9 million in 2019-20 committed to refurbish and upgrade the Queanbeyan Courthouse;
- $7 million allocated in 2019-20 to develop the Goulburn Aquatic Centre;
- $3.5 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $50.0 million project) for the Tumut Hospital Redevelopment;
- $1.2 million allocated in 2019-20 for the upgrade and refurbishment of Griffith Court.
Western NSW
The Far West, Central West and Orana are regions with a strong and diverse agricultural sector that enjoy a growing visitor economy and significant regional economy centred on agriculture and mining. This Budget looks to support Western NSW with significant drought funding, new hospitals and significant infrastructure investment.
Key highlights from the 2019-20 Budget include:
- $200 million invested in 2019-20 to flood proof the Newell Highway between Forbes and West Wyalong;
- $52.4 million for continued delivery of overtaking lanes along the Newell Highway;
- $46.2 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $70.7 million project) for the Mudgee Hospital Redevelopment;
- $44.2 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $241.3 million project) for the Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment (Stages 1 to 4);
- $44 million invested in 2019-20 for initial sealing of the Silver and Cobb Highways to provide all-weather and more durable highways in the region;
- $35 million from 2020-21 to 2022-23 to build a major new state-of-the-art police education and training facility at Dubbo;
- $32 million over three years to investigate the augmentation of Wyangala Dam;
- $25.9 million to continue planning for the new Dubbo bridge on the Newell Highway over the Macquarie River and $5.8 million for planning the Newell Highway upgrade at Parkes;
- $20 million to continue construction of the Main Western Rail Line Capacity Enhancements;
- $19.2 million to commence construction of the Great Western Highway upgrade between Kelso and Raglan;
- $17.3 million in 2019-20 (as part of a $35 million project) for the Western Cancer Centre in Dubbo (includes $25 million Federal contribution);
- $8.4 million to upgrade Wentworth Aerodrome and Arumpo Road;
- $7 million allocated in 2019-20 to build a new police station in Bathurst;
- $7 million over three years (from 2020-21) for a major upgrade to Bourke Police Station;
- $3.5 million to refurbish the Bakka Cultural Centre in the Central Darling Shire;
- $2.6 million for the Jubilee Oval Upgrade in Broken Hill City.
