19 September 2023
MEDIA RELEASE
NSW Budget delivers a mix of wins and losses for the Hunter and Central Coast
The Property Council of Australia has welcomed the first Budget of the Minns Government announced today, which has addressed some of the growing pains in the Hunter and Central Coast communities, through investment in a number of health, education, transport and environmental initiatives.
Property Council of Australia’s Hunter Regional Director Anita Hugo said commitments to invest in infrastructure would boost economic activity, drive development and grow job opportunities but we shouldn’t rest on our laurels.
“This is welcome news but as a growing region we should always be planning for more,” Ms Hugo said.
“It was encouraging to see an allocation of funding towards infrastructure delivery across key regional areas and we wait with interest to see how much of this will come to the Hunter and Central Coast.
“We have long argued the importance of transport infrastructure to delivering positive housing outcomes, so it was also good to see a continued commitment of funding towards major road projects across the region.
“This includes the M1 to Raymond Terrace, the Newcastle Inner City Bypass, Singleton and Muswellbrook bypasses, upgrades to Pacific Highway through Wyong Town Centre as well as the Mandalong Road upgrade.
“It’s also great to see Renewable Energy Zones on the board with the Hunter set to benefit from some of the $804 million committed to ensuring homes and businesses have access to a reliable supply of clean, affordable, renewable energy.
“Funding was also committed in the budget to ongoing delivery of important health facility projects in Newcastle, the Lower and Upper Hunter as well as Central Coast.”
Ms Hugo said it was disappointing we didn’t see an announcement around a $500 million infrastructure fund for the Hunter.
“This would have kick started much needed housing supply and while the Williamtown Special Activation Precinct has disappointingly gone by the wayside we now call for the funding previously allocated to be spent in the region,” she said.
“As expected, 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 which includes Fast Rail, this is disappointing and a break on productivity.
‘”Overall, there have been some good wins and some losses in this budget for our regions and we will work with government to leverage off current commitments that will significantly grow our regional and state economies.”
Funding has also been allocated to the following:
Housing and Infrastructure Plan
The Plan includes:
- $1.5 billion to deliver enabling infrastructure in key growth areas across Central Coast, Lower Hunter and Illawarra-Shoalhaven
- $400 million reserved in Restart NSW for the new Housing Infrastructure Fund, $100 million to deliver infrastructure projects that will unlock housing in regional NSW, and
- $300 million reinvested in Landcom for the construction of new dwellings on government-owned land
Transport
- $355 million for Pacific Motorway (M1) extension to Raymond Terrace
- $270 million for Newcastle Inner City Bypass between Rankin Park and Jesmond
- $77 million for Hexham Straight Upgrade
- $33 million for New England Highway Singleton Bypass
- $12 million early works funding for Muswellbrook Bypass
- $10 million for Port Stephens Council road upgrades
- Nelson Bay Road Upgrade planning works
- $97 million for upgrade Pacific Highway through Wyong Town Centre
- $58 million for Mandalong Road upgrade
- $40 million to commence planning for Gosford Bypass
Health
- $835 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct
- $471 million Maitland Hospital
- $115 million Cessnock Hospital redevelopment
- $45 million Muswellbrook Hospital redevelopment
- $200 million Wyong Hospital redevelopment Stage 1
- $6.4 million Wyong Hospital’s Cancer Day Unit Expansion
CBD revitalisation
- $26.8 million to support the Office of the 24-hour Commissioner expansion across Newcastle, Central Coast and Illawarra.