A very Sydney-centric state budget has been handed today with $35-billion for 3 new metro lines and public transport and $5-billion for upgrading roads in western Sydney.
Comparatively, Regional NSW which is home to 3.2 million people, hasn’t received the big bucks, instead largely a continuation of funding for existing or planned projects.
Among the winners: funding for Muswellbrook, Singleton and Coffs Harbour bypasses, the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension, an upgrade to Port Macquarie hospital and Newcastle’s sacred butterfly cave saved.
Among our losers: Manning Base Hospital at Taree short-changed it’s in desperate need of significant injection for stages 2 and 3 and Singleton Police Station.
But a record spend of $5 billion on social housing and the bulk billing support initiative will be welcomed in northern New South Wales.
FULL HUNTER WINNERS:
$1.4 billion for the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension and Hexham strait widening.
$462.9 million to continue construction of the Singleton bypass.
$442.7 million for planning and early work for the long-awaited Muswellbrook bypass.
$128.5 million for regional road upgrades and infrastructure at the Newcastle Port.
$59.4 million for a much-needed upgrade of Mandalong Road.
$275 million upgrade for Nelson Bay Road to Bob’s Farm.
$835 million for the John Hunter health and innovation precinct
$138 million for Cessnock hospital
$45 million for Muswellbrook hospital development stage 3
$7.7 for a new Charlestown fire station
More than $100 million for the new primary and high school for Huntlee.
School upgrades for Irrawang High and Hunter River High… and continued funding for a new high school at Medowie.
$15.2 million for mine rehabilitation and closure.
$50 million for the Regional development trust.
Newcastle’s Sacred Butterfly Cave finally protected.
