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.