Regional NSW Budget 2018–19 overview — What property investors need to know

Education:

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $4.7 million on education, which includes:

• $4.7 million to Regional Industry Education Partnerships to address skills shortages and school-to-work transitions
• More funding for the Rural and Remote Early Childhood Teaching Scholarship program
• Funding for a fleet of Mobile Training Units and continued development of TAFE NSW Connected Learning Centres
• Funding for upgrades to:
  
  • Armidale Secondary School
  • Ballina High School
  • Jindabyne Central School
  • Kingscliff Public School
  • Kingscliff High School

Cultural and social activities:

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $315 million on cultural and social activities, which includes:

• $135.8 million to the Stronger Country Communities fund for local community infrastructure
• $100 million to the Regional Sport Infrastructure Fund for improving the number and quality of regional sport facilities
• $40 million from the Regional Cultural Fund to developing arts and cultural activities
• $39.2 million over four years to replace and upgrade PCYCs, which includes:
  
  • Constructing a new club in the Windsor area
  • Replacing the clubs in:
    
    • Wagga Wagga
    • Walgett
    • Dubbo
  • Upgrading the clubs in:
    • Albury
    • Bourle
    • Griffith
    • Kempsey
    • Moree

Production:

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $397 million on production initiatives, which includes:

• A portion of the $500 million Regional Growth Activation Fund – Growing Local Economies fund will be committed to the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange and the Hunter Pilot Biorefinery
• $250 million in loans through the Farm Innovation fund to building drought resilience and investing in on-farm infrastructure
• $71.8 million over four years to supporting New South Wales’ forestry, sawmilling, wood and paper product manufacturing industries
• $50 million to agricultural productivity and upgrading agricultural research stations
• $25.2 million to construct and operate the Doppler Weather Radars

Services:

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $61.3 million on services initiatives, which includes:

• $29 million from the Regional Growth Economic Activation Fund – Connecting Country Communities fund to address mobile black spots and the Regional Digital Connectivity Project
• $15.9 million over three years for the Regional Small Police Station Program to redevelop police stations in:
  
  • Adelong
  • Braidwood
  • Tea Gardens
  • South West Rocks
  • Tullamore
  • Collarenbri
  • Bonalbo
• $9 million from the Local Land Services Future Fund to construct digital delivery services and front of house customer service initiatives
• $7.4 million to finish the conversion of the motor registry network to Service NSW centres

Road infrastructure:

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $3.9 billion on infrastructure, which includes:

• $199.4 million for upgrading road freight productivity, which includes:
  
  • Bridge construction as part of the bridges for the Bush program at Tabulam
  • Echuca-Moama bridge over the Murrary Rover
  • Barrington Bridge near Gloucester
  • Improving the Golden Highway
  • Improving Gocup Road between Tumut and Gundagai
  • Improving the Oxley Highway
• $1.9 billion on capacity enhancements, which includes:
  
  • $1.2 billion to continue upgrading the Pacific Highway
  • $244.3 million to upgrade the Princes Highway
• Starting the upgrade between Berry and Bomaderry
• The bypass of Albion Park Rail
• A replacement bridge at Batemans Bay
• Planning for the new Shoalhaven River bridge at Nowra
  
  • $168.3 million for Central Coast roads, which includes:
    
    • The widening of the M1 Pacific Motorway between Kariong and Somersby interchanges and Tuggerah and Doyalson interchanges
    • Starting the Pacific Highway widening between Lisarow and Ourimbah
• $138.1 million for projects and programs on New South Wales regional roads, including safety and realignment on the Oxley Highway
• $87 million to freight rail infrastructure upgrades, including:
  
  • $33.5 million to the Fixing Country Rail program
• $31.3 million to continue the Regional Rail Fleet Program to replace older trains
• $1.5 billion for bus services

Tourism:

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $354 million on tourism, which includes:

• $300 million from the Environment and Tourism fund, with $142.3 million already committed to specific projects, which includes:
  
  • $17.2 million to the Snowies Iconic Great Walk
  • $11.0 million to the Murray River Experience
  • $9.9 million to the Thredbo Valley Track Extension
  • $8.5 million to the Jenolan project
  • $7.9 million to the Light to Light Great Walk
  • $6.3 million to the Scone Aviation Visitor Attraction centre
  • $5.0 million to the Wagga Wagga Riverside Precinct Rejuvenation
  • $4.6 million to the Winnie Bay Cliff Top Walk
  • $3.6 million to the Murramarang South Coast Walk
  • $3.0 million to the Port Stephens Koala Hospital and Tourism Facility
• At least $54 million of funding to the delivery of the Visitor Economy Industry Action Plan

The Central Coast

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $240 million on the Central Coast, which includes:

Health and education infrastructure:

• $31.5 million to the redevelopment of Gosford Hospital and its car park
• $30 million to the redevelopment of Wyong Hospital and its car park
• Funding for the upgrade of Wamberal and Terrigal Public Schools, as well as a new school at Warnervale

Roads and infrastructure:

• $168.2 million to road improvements, which includes:
  
  • $127 million to continued construction on the widening of the M1 Pacific Motorway between Kariong and Somersby interchanges and Tuggerah and Doyalson interchanges and starting the Pacific Highway widening between Lisarow and Ourimbah
  • $23.5 million to start widening the Pacific Highway to four lanes between Parsons Road and Ourimbah Street at Lisarow
  • $6.5 million to upgrading the intersection of Empire Bay Drive, The Scenic Road and Cochrone Street at Kincumber
  • $3 million to planning intersection improvements on Central Coast roads at Gosford

Other infrastructure:

• Funding from the Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund, which includes:
  
  • $4.6 million to the Winnie Bay Cliff Top Walk
  • $2.9 million to the planned the proposed Boardwalk Terrigal Beach to the Haven
• $1.8 million to continue renovating and extending the Kariong Fire Station
• $1 million to start the upgrade of the Gosford Police Station

Central West and Orana

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $140 million on the Central West and Orana, which includes:

Health and education infrastructure:

• $59.2 million to the third and fourth stages of the Dubbo Hospital renovation
• $6 million to start the Western Cancer Centre in Dubbo
• $25 million to continue construction of the Mudgee Hospital
• Funding to establish a Family Care Centre Hub in Dubbo
• Funding to continue construction of the Dubbo Networked Specialist School and upgrading the Coolah Central School
• Funding to a TAFE Connected Learning Centre at Grenfell

Roads and infrastructure:

• $20 million to the continued delivery of overtaking lanes along the Newell Highway
• $6.3 million to continue planning for the new Dubbo bridge on the Newell Highway over the Macquarie River
• $4.6 million from the Resources for the Regions Program for the fourth stage of the South Orange Economic Development Corridor from Anson Street to Pinnacle Road
• $2.4 million to planning the Newell Highway upgrade at Parkes
• Funding to start construction of the replacement bridge over Lignum Creek at Marsden

Other infrastructure:

• $7.0 million to supporting the Local Land Services’ Biodiversity Reforms
• $9.5 million from the Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund to the renovation of the Jenolan Caves and the Mount Panorama Boardwalk

Far West

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $227 million on the Far West, which includes:

Health infrastructure:

• $5.1 million to continue the reconfiguration of the Broken Hill Hospital and Dental Facility
• Funding to start a Family Care Centre Hub in Broken Hill

Cultural and social activities:

• Funding for the Stronger Country Communities fund for:
  
  • Upgrading Brewarrina Pool’s facilities
  • Replacing lights at Larkin Oval and installing new lights over the netball courts at Nyngan
  • Upgrading netball courts in Coonamble
  • Replacing Curlwaa Memorial Hall

Other infrastructure:

• $194.5 million to the Broken Hill Pipeline
• $26.7 million to the weatherproofing of Silver City and Cobb Highways
• Funding for a redevelopment of the Broken Hill Police Station
• $667,000 to the upgrade of the Broken Hill Core Library
• Funding to a TAFE Connected Learning Centre at Bourke

Hunter

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $164.1 million on the Hunter, which includes:

Health and education infrastructure:

• $23.5 million to the continued construction of Maitland Hospital
• $9.1 million to the Manning Base Hospital redevelopment
• Funding from the Rural Health Infrastructure Program to upgrade facilities at Dungog, Scone and Gloucester
• Funding to starting a Family Care Centre Hub in Taree
• Funding to school upgrades including Hunter Sports High School and Bolwarra Public School
• Funding to TAFE Connected Learning Centres at Scone and Singleton

Roads and infrastructure:

• $38 million to the New England Highway Scone Bypass
• $48.1 million to the Golden Highway for heavy vehicle safety and productivity and flood alleviation works
• $16.3 million to continue upgrading the intersection of the M1 Pacific Motorway with John Renshaw Drive and Weakleys Drive
• $8.3 million to starting upgrades at Nelson Bay road and plan for future improvements

Tourism:

• $3 million from the Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund to the Port Stephens Koala Hospital and Tourism Facility
• $7.1 million over four years to the Tomaree Coastal Walk

Other infrastructure:

• $10.7 million to continue upgrading the Taree Police Station
• Funding from the Resources for Regions fund to the Denman Revitalisation Project and the Upper Hunter Regional Mine Affected Roads Program
• Funding to new and continued water and wastewater infrastructure initiatives

Illawarra – Shoalhaven

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $244.6 million on Illawarra – Shoalhaven, which includes:

Health and education infrastructure:

• $12.7 million to completing the Bulli Hospital Aged Care Centre of Excellence
• $40 million to continue the redevelopment of Shellharbour Hospital
• $5.5 million to completing the Shoalhaven Hospital car park
• Funding to planning future projects for the Shoalhaven Hospital at Nowra
• Funding to continue projects at Gwynneville and Dapto Public Schools

Roads and infrastructure:

• $101 million to starting construction of the Berry to Bomaderry upgrade
• $65.6 million to start construction of the Albion Park Rail bypass
• $15.3 million to continue planning for the new Nowra Bridge over Shoalhaven River

Tourism:

• $3.5 million to the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre – Infrastructure and Experience Invigoration
• $1 million from the Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund to the Shoalhaven Heads River Road Foreshore Precinct

New England and North West

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $143.5 on New England and the North West, which includes:

Health and education infrastructure:

• $45.9 million to the redevelopment of Lismore Hospital
• $21 million to continued works at Inverell Hospital
• Funding from the Rural Health Infrastructure Program to upgrades at Tenterfield
• Funding to school upgrades, which includes:
  
  • The Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School
  • Armidale Secondary College

Roads and infrastructure investment:

• $26.7 million to upgrade the Newell Highway between Mungle Back Creek and Boggabilla
• $30 million to upgrade of the New England Highway at Bolivia Hill
• $18.1 million to upgrade the Keepit Dam

Cultural and social activities:

• Funding from the Stronger Country Communities Fund to the Viaduct Park Youth Creation Hub in Tamworth
• $1.8 million from the Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund to the Astronomy Science Centre, Planetarium and Cafe in Tamworth

North Coast

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $1.4 billion on the North Coast, which includes:

Health and education infrastructure:

• $50.9 million to construction of a hospital at Tweed
• $16.8 million to the redevelopment of the Grafton Ambulatory Care Centre
• $15.5 million to the redevelopment of the Coffs Harbour Hospital
• $9.1 million to the redevelopment of the Macksville Hospital
• $5 million to the Port Macquarie Hospital car park
• Funding to starting a Family Care Centre Hub in Coffs Harbour
• Funding to upgrades for schools, which includes:
  
  • Kingscliff High School
  • Kingscliff Public School
  • Murwillumbah High School
  • Murwillumbah East Public School
• Funding to the new Ballina High School
• Funding to the Kingscliff Campus Connected Health Hub, the Coffs Harbour Education Campus and TAFE Connected Learning Centres at Murwillumbah and Yamba

Roads and infrastructure:

• $1.2 billion to upgrading the Pacific Highway between Woolgoolga and Ballina
• $62 million to continue construction of the additional bridge over the Clarence River at Grafton
• $28 million to safety and realignment work for the Oxley Highway
• $20 million to continue the Pacific Highway Bypass of Coffs Harbour
• $18.3 million to continue construction of the replacement Bruxner Highway bridge over the Clarence River at Tabulam

Tourism:

• $1.7 million from the Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund to revitalise Stuarts Point Foreshore
• $7.7 million over four years for the Tweed Hinterlands Walk from Byron to Boarder Ranges
• $7.5 million to upgrading the Macleay Coast at Trial Bay precinct

Riverina – Murray

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $252.5 on Riverina – Murray, which includes:

Health and education infrastructure:

• Funding to upgrading James Fallon High School and Young High School library
• Funding to a new primary School in Wagga Wagga
• $6 million to redeveloping Griffith Hospital
• $20 million to continue redeveloping the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital
• $5 million to continue the expansion of the Albury Base Hospital Emergency Department
• Funding to TAFE Connected Learning in Corowa, Deniliquin and Narrandera

Roads and infrastructure:

• $19.5 million to upgrade Gocup Road
• $160 million to the new Cobb Highway bridge over the Murray River between Echuca and Moama
• Funding for the starting of construction for the replacement of Gee Gee Bridge over the Wakool River

Other infrastructure:

• $31 million to the Nimmie Caira System Enhanced Environmental Water Delivery Project
• $11 million from the Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund to the Murray River Experience in Albury
• Funding from the Stronger Country Communities Fund to the Deniliquin Swim Centre

South East and Tablelands

In financial year 2018–19, the New South Wales government plans to spend at least $208.6 million on the South East and Tablelands, which includes: