Western Sydney received a lot of attention in this year’s NSW Budget. Whether for our city, or Western Sydney specifically, here is a summary of budget items that will impact the region over the next 12 months.
Transport
- $658.1 million (2017-18) for increased and improved rail services including more express services to Western Sydney.
- $252.8 million (2017-18) for new fleet of intercity trains.
- $200.1 million (2017-18) Transport Access Program for more accessible public transport.
- $2.8 billion (2017-18) towards the continuation of the Sydney Metro Rail project.
- $3.2 billion (2017-18) towards delivery of WestConnex.
Western Sydney:
- $1 billion (2017-18) to fund better roads across Western Sydney.
- This includes $153 million (2017-18) for the Western Sydney Growth Roads Program: Bandon Road Link, Memorial Avenue, Mulgoa Road, Narellan Road, Camden Valley Way, Schofields Road (Stages 2 and 3), Riverstone Traffic Improvements, Campbelltown Road upgrade, Appin Road improvements, Badgally Road and Eagle Vale Drive.
- $648 million (2017-18) Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan including upgrades to the Northern Road and Bringelly Road, and scoping works for a Western Sydney Rail link ($3.6 billion total).
- $1.8 billion for maintenance of roads, footpaths, drainage and wharfs, including subsidies to local councils.
- $25 million (2017-18) to plan Parramatta Light Rail.
- $25 million (total) to provide additional Parramatta River ferries.
- $18.7 million (2017-18) for major upgrades to the Great Western Highway (Katoomba to Mount Victoria).
- $7 million (2017-18) for Windsor Bridge replacement over Hawkesbury River.
- $264 million for Smart Motorways program on M4.
Planning and housing
- $19 million (2017-18) to review and modernise the planning system.
- $4.5 million (2017-18) to expand Priority Precincts and Growth Areas and support the reform of infrastructure contributions including up to 12 additional Special Infrastructure Contribution plans in Sydney ($19 million total).
- $30 million (2017-18) to review land use and infrastructure strategies in Priority Growth Areas and implement regional plans ($118 million total).
- $4.3 billion housing affordability package.
- $12.5million for Joint Regional Planning Panels.
- $217.5 million (2017-18) for upgrades and improvements to social housing (sites including Riverwood).
Western Sydney
- $113.2milion (total cost) for increased treatment capacity at Riverstone Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- $775 million (2017-21) for waste water and sewerage infrastructure to service the South West and North West Growth Centres.
- $2.6 million (2017-18) for Blue Mountains water systems upgrade.
Health and wellbeing
- $207 million Active Kids Rebate - $100 per school child per year for sports registration.
Western Sydney
- $38.9 million over four years for a 24 hour palliative care service out of the Western Sydney Local Health District.
- $5 million (2017-18) for works at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network Westmead Redevelopment ($95 million total cost).
- $104.1million (2017-18) for upgrades to the Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals ($659 million total cost).
- $34.0 million (2017-18) for redevelopment of Nepean Hospital and Integrated Ambulatory Services ($550 million total cost).
Education and young people
- $4.2 billion investment over four years in new and upgraded schools infrastructure.
- $217 million additional funding over four years for Start Strong program for preschool education and long day care services.
- $41 million (2017-18) for the Smart, Skilled and Hired program.
Western Sydney
- $740,000 to deliver Youth on Track program in Blacktown, Mt Druitt and Quakers Hill.
- $49 million to deliver programs in partnership with Aboriginal communities including an Aboriginal Centre for Excellence in Western Sydney.
- $4.2 million (2017-18) Granville TAFE College - Electrotechnology Consolidation.
- $5.4 million (2017-18) Miller TAFE College – Carpentry Construction and Electrical Consolidation.
- $2.9 million (2017-18) Wetherill Park TAFE College – Engineering Consolidation.
Arts and culture
- $52.7 million for Arts and Cultural Development Program in Regional NSW and Western Sydney.
Western Sydney
- $10 million for an extended business case to relocate Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta.
Sport and recreation
- $40 million for Rugby League Centres of Excellence to support elite training at community facilities.
- $6 million funding for local pool upgrades.
- $9 million to continue planning upgrades to Sydney stadia network.
- $4 million over four years to roll out defibrillators across sports clubs.
Western Sydney:
- $160 million (2017-18) for construction of Western Sydney Stadium at Parramatta.
- $30 million to partner with City of Parra for new aquatic centre (total cost).
- $2.4 million to upgrade systems and Sydney International Shooting Centre (Cecil Park).
- $11 million for Western Sydney Parklands upgrade.
- $20.7 million (2017-18) for Nepean River Footbridge at Penrith.
Environment
- $72 million allocated to transforming waste management in NSW.
- $3.4 million (2017-18) to implement the NSW Container Deposit Scheme ($72 million total cost).
- $41 million to assist local councils to prepare and implement coastal and floodplain management plans and for works to restore and protect coastal and estuarine environments.
- $119 million Climate Change Fund to help boost energy security (households and businesses).
- $3.1 million on the Water Smart Cities program.
- $1.1 million to complete final actions in the Renewable Energy Action Plan.
Western Sydney
- $54.0 million over five years for land management and biodiversity conservation reforms and strategic conservation planning for Western Sydney.
Emergency services
Western Sydney
- $10 million for two new fire stations at Oran Park and Marsden Park (construction 2018 - 19).
- $3.1 million for upgrades to Mt Druitt Fire Station.
- $25 million for upgrades to Mt Druitt Police Station.
- $5m (2017 - 18) training and equipment at fire and rescue training academy at Erskine Park.
Multiculturalism
- $10 million to engage with communities, refugees through a dedicated Settlement Unit and celebrate cultural diversity across NSW.
- $10.9 million for community language schools ($200 per student).
- $1 million over two years for translation and interpreter services at courts.
Jobs and economy
- $7.5 million total for the NSW Government Business Connect Program offering advisory services to small business.
- $96 million total to support high potential businesses through Jobs for NSW.
- $3.6 million (2017-18) to support small business through business advocacy and dispute resolution services.
- $225,000 for specialist advisory programs improving procurement and financial literacy for small business.
Western Sydney
- $10.0 million (2017-18) towards creating new infrastructure for business hubs at The Horsley Drive, Eastern Creek and Bringelly Road.
- $10 million for industry development programs to leverage the benefits of a new airport in Western Sydney.
Local government
- $79 million to ease cost of living pressures for pensioners by subsidising council rates and charges through the Pensioners Rebate Scheme.
- $16 million to support councils through the Local Infrastructure Renewal Scheme.
- $2.1 million for the upgrade of the successful online NSW Pet Registry website which will help reunite lost pets and their owners more quickly.