NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has today delivered the state government's $3.9 million surplus budget, with key education spending and infrastructure hits and misses for the Hunter.
In his speech to parliament today, the Treasurer praised our region's coal mining operations for raking in $111 million more royalties than expected.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said those royalties go on to finance wins for families like new statewide subsidies for 3-year-old children in childcare.
"The Hunter is proving its worth," Mr MacDonald said, "and [the government] is delivering across infrastructure and frontline services."
ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
The major winner for Hunter roads was the New England Highway Scone Bypass, attracting $38 million for continued works.
More planning and design work will be carried out at the notorious Cessnock Road at Testers Hollow, with $17 million secured.
The intersection of the M1 Pacific Motorway at John Renshaw Drive and Weakleys Drive will continue to be upgraded with $16.3 million.
$48.1 million has been doled out for heavy vehicle safety and productivity and flood alleviation works on the Golden Highway at Muswellbrook.
Finally, $8.3 million has been committed to commence upgrades at Nelson Bay Road and plan for future improvements.
Despite the investment, Hunter Labor MPs Sonia Hornery and Jodie Harrison are disappointed nothing has been set aside for the Glendale Transport Interchange.
"The budget announcements today have again shown a disproportionate level of spending in Sydney, leaving vital projects in Wallsend languishing for another year," Ms Hornery said, "this budget is not aimed at investing in, or growing, regions like ours."
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald has defended the omission.
"The Glendale Interchange is ongoing," he said, "we gave planning money for that last year...that work is still ongoing because we've got to get it to a point where the state government and Lake Macquarie Council are happy.
"We're not there yet so that means continued planning and design work."
HEALTH
$23.5 million has been allocated towards the continued construction of the $470 million Maitland Hospital at Metford. While the project still remains on the ground, construction has been earmarked to begin in 2018/19. The budget papers detail a 2024 deadline for the hospital to be built.
Scone, Gloucester and Dungog hospitals will share $5 million as part of the Rural Health Infrastructure Program for upgrades and refurbishments to areas such as emergency departments, bathrooms, waiting areas, wards and treatment spaces.
John Hunter Hospital will also receive a share of $15 million in funding for planning of future expansion. This amount will be shared with Albury, Nepean and Sydney Children's Hospital at Westmead.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery believes while the John Hunter works have been mentioned by Treasurer Perrottet, it's unclear what funding will go towards the planning.
EDUCATION
As 2NURFM News has previously reported, the Hunter will share in a statewide $6 billion for public schools.
A new education precinct has been promised for Newcastle, with a new public school to be built and improvements to Newcastle High.
New permanent teaching spaces will be constructed at Callaghan College, while various upgrades will be done at Hunter Sports High and Bolwarra Public among others.
Financial support will be given to TAFE centres at Singleton and Scone, as well as $1.4 million for a customer service and industry development centre at Tighes Hill TAFE.
The Property Council of NSW have welcomed changes to vocational education which will see course fees waived for all new apprenticeships.
Hunter Regional Director, Anita Hugo said the move will "support a pipeline of skilled workers that will be needed to meet future demand...
"We look forward to the positive impact this will have on the Hunter's labour force," Ms Hugo said.
TRANSPORT
The possibility of bringing faster trains to Newcastle for the journey to Sydney will explored with a $6 million investigation, while $14 million will be spent on planning a new freight corridor stretching from Fassifern to Hexham, in a bid to ease blockages on the congested Adamstown railway gates.
$110 million will ensure the Newcastle Light Rail project is completed on time.
OTHER
Maximum security facilities are being increased at Cessnock Correctional Centre, with $105.3 million (half the project cost) to be spent on an additional 330 beds.
Tomaree Coastal walk at Port Stephens will be extended in a project costing $7.1 million over four years.
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| NSW Treasurer, Dominic Perrottet. |
