19 September 2023
MEDIA RELEASE
Illawarra Shoalhaven a clear stand out in NSW State Budget
The Illawarra Shoalhaven has been a standout winner in one of the fiscally constrained state budgets ever released since the NSW government was formed in 1856.
The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the first Budget of the Minns Government announced today which should address the growing pains in the Illawarra, by investing in regional infrastructure that can fast track planning and boost housing delivery.
Property Council of Australia’s Acting Illawarra Director David White said commitments to invest in infrastructure would boost economic activity, drive development, and grow job opportunities.
“This is welcome news but as a growing region we should always be planning for more,” Mr White said.
“The $2.1 billion housing plan embedded in the Essential Homes Package, the proposed Housing and Infrastructure Plan and recent announcements in the social and affordable housing space should help reduce house prices and rents which have plagued the region since the pandemic.
“It was great to see an allocation of close to $300 million towards regional road infrastructure covering the Mount Ousley Interchange and Picton Road that will better link the Illawarra- Shoalhaven to the fast-growing Southwest Sydney region and future Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
“Whilst funding for growth infrastructure extending to regional roads, parks and schools will help the West Lake Illawarra urban release area continue to emerge as a greenfield housing hotspot.”
Under the direction of the Office 24 Hour Economy Commissioner, there is over $26.8 million allocated to improve regional CBDs across the Six Cities Region, which includes Wollongong.
“This funding will help foster the Wollongong CBD as a place of vibrancy, diversity, and safety, to support its emergence as a lifestyle CBD and place for all,” Mr White said.
“Funding for a new Shellharbour Hospital and upgrades to Wollongong Hospital is a welcome announcement to ensure these critical pieces of human service infrastructure are provided for a region that will grow to 500,000 by 2041. “
Mr White stressed to not lose hope on one day achieving fast rail for the regions.
“The NSW Budget has implemented the advice of the independent Strategic Infrastructure Review, led by Ken Kanofski, and sought to delay or descope projects valued at more than $2.5 billion including Fast Rail, is disappointing and a break on productivity,” he said.
“Whilst there was no funding for the Southwest Illawarra Rail Line, the proposed Illawarra Sports and Entertainment Precinct and City Deal, the Property Council is enthused that the total funding package will substantially benefit existing and future residents and visitors to Wollongong and the broader Illawarra Shoalhaven region.”
Illawarra:
Housing and Infrastructure Plan
- The Budget includes $2.2 billion for the Housing and Infrastructure Plan. The Plan includes:
- $1.5 billion for housing related infrastructure generated through the new Housing and Productivity Contribution
- $400 million reserved in Restart NSW for the new Housing Infrastructure Fund, and
- $300 million reinvested in Landcom for the construction of new dwellings on government-owned land.
Essential Homes Package
- As previously announced, the Budget outlines a $224 million Essential Homes Package including:
- $70 million debt financing to accelerate the delivery of social, affordable, and private homes primarily in regional NSW
- $35.3 million to continue to provide housing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families through the Services Our Way program
- $35 million to support maintenance of social housing
- $20 million reserved in Restart NSW for dedicated mental health housing
- $15 million to establish a NSW Housing Fund, separate to the new Housing and Infrastructure Fund, for priority housing and homelessness measures
- $11.3 million to extend the Together Home program
- $11 million injection to Temporary Accommodation in FY2023-24
- $10.5 million for the Community Housing Leasing Program
- $10 million for a Modular Housing Trial focused on social housing
- $5.9 million for Specialist Homelessness Services.
Transport
- $277.8 million to replace the existing intersection of the Princes Highway and Mount Ousley Road
- $13.6 million for the Jervis Bay Road Intersection on the Princes Highway
- $55.2 million to continue deliver a new bridge over the Shoalhaven River
- $20.0 million to investigate extending Memorial Drive from Bulli
- $12.0 million to help deliver the East Nowra Sub Arterial Road project
- $10.0 million to commence planning for eh additional entry and exit ramps on the M1 Princes Motorway, around Dapto
- $9.3 million for the planning and assessments to Picton Road
- $5.0 million to assist Shoalhaven City Council build shared pathway sat Kioloa, Callala, Dolphin Point, Myola, Narrawallee and Nowra.
Health
- $721.9 million for a new Shellharbour Hospital and Integrated Services and car park.
- $438.0 million for a Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment
- $21.9 million for the upgrade of Wollongong Hospital
- $7.5 million for the for the upgrade of Milton Ulladulla Hospital
Education
- $34.4 million for Budawang School relocation
- Vincentia High School Upgrade (no funding allocated)
- A new Nowra Primary School (no funding allocated)
- Ulladulla High school Upgrade (no funding allocated)
Wollongong CBD Revitalisation and Tourism
- $26.8 million to support the Office of the 24-hour Commissioner expansion across Newcastle, Central Coast and Illawarra.
- $10.0 million for the International Boathouse Tourism Precinct Development
- $2.4 million for the for the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre Upgrade
- $1.0 million for the Hindmarsh Park Redevelopment Stage 2
- $0.9 million for the for the Reddall Reserve public amenities
- $0.25 million for the for the Changing Tides food and music festival
- $0.15 million for the playground replacement for Bawley Point Reserve
- $0.1 million for the Shiman Husky Triathlon Festival
- $0.04 million for the Illawarra Young Women’s Program
- $0.04 million for the f the Aboriginal cultural mentoring for disengaged youth
ENDS
Media Contact: Aidan Green – 0491030028