People across western Sydney are big winners in NSW Budget 2018 with the engine room of the NSW economy getting a turbocharged injection of billions of dollars for health, education and infrastructure projects, according to Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres.
The Penrith MP said the 2018-19 Budget would continue to drive growth, create jobs and enhance opportunity for the more than two million people who call the region home.
“No longer taken for granted, no longer second best, this budget reinforces that Western Sydney is now leading the way when it comes to the NSW economy,” Mr Ayres said.
“This Budget matches a growing Western Sydney with the jobs, infrastructure and essential services required to continue to increase prosperity and opportunities for local residents.”
Key highlights from the 2018-19 Budget include:
• $2.4 billion in 2018-19 for Sydney Metro Northwest – Australia’s first fully-automated metro rail system scheduled to commence in the first half of 2019;
• $3 billion reserved for Metro West planning and early procurement – the third line of the Metro system that connects Parramatta to Sydney CBD through Olympic Park and the Bays Precinct;
• $258 million towards Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 to support growth in Western Sydney, create new communities and connect places. (Crosses Sydney Metropolitan Region);
• $183.7 million in 2018-19 on Western Sydney Stadium (with an estimated total cost of $360.0 million). Construction has commenced on the grandstands and the project is on track for completion in the first half of 2019;
• $240 million in 2018-19 ($640.0 million total Government contribution) to relocate the Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta and, expand storage at the Museum Discovery Centre;
• $5.6 million in 2018-19 to continue the Western Sydney Parklands park improvement program to activate and link of the Northern and Southern Parklands, improve play and recreational areas, and restore and expand the bushland corridor;
• $188.5 million for Stage 1 of the Westmead Hospital Redevelopment, at an estimated total cost of $765.0 million;
• $20 million for Stage 2 of the Campbelltown Hospital Redevelopment (including the Mental Health and South West Paediatric services), at an estimated total cost of $632.0 million;
• $90 million for Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital redevelopment, at an estimated total cost of $659.2 million;
• $70 million for the Nepean Hospital and integrated ambulatory services, at an estimated total cost of $550 million with a further commitment to Stage 2; The Western Sydney LHD will receive total recurrent funding in excess of $1.7 billion in 2018-19;
• $20 million in 2018-19 towards planning for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2;
• $25 million over 4 years for project development, to deliver a final business case and undertake consultation for the construction of a Hawkesbury River crossing from Richmond to North Richmond, and;
• $35 million in 2018-19 to develop the final business case for the North-South Rail Line to service the new Western Sydney Airport (includes Commonwealth Government contributions).
