2018/19 STATE BUDGET WRAP UP
The NSW Government last week delivered a forward thinking budget that provides solid investments for essential services including education, health and roads.
The Treasurer announced a surplus of $3.9 billion, zero net debt and forecasted billion dollar plus surplus’ over the next four years.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals in government have shown financial discipline and economic competence to turn this state around from the dark days of Labor, making possible a Budget that will make a positive difference to the lives of all people in NSW, including those living in the Dubbo electorate.
The Budget had a strong focus on giving young people the best start in life, with more health support for newborns and their mothers and investing almost $200 million to allow access to community preschools for three years olds, with NSW being the first state in Australia to do this.
More great news from yesterday’s state budget was the new ‘Creative Kids Rebate’ which will save families $100 per school child to help meet the cost of creative extra-curricular activities, every dollar will help local families.
The Budget also gives apprentices vital support – and makes a significant investment in the skilled workforce of tomorrow – funding 100,000 free apprenticeships in high-demand industries.
These free apprenticeships are a massive leg up for youth in our communities and this investment will help skill up our kids today, for their best chance at tomorrow.
The Budget also does more to make NSW the best place to do business – and continue the boom that has created 500,000 new jobs in the state since 2011.
To lay the foundations for strong, vibrant communities today and into the future, the Budget builds further on last year’s unprecedented infrastructure program, with a new record $87.2 billion pipeline over four years.
It is also important to highlight the $34.68 million allocation made in this year’s budget to important road and rail projects across the electorate. This investment includes funding provided to local councils to assist them in maintaining non-state owned roads.
Dubbo electorate budget highlights include:
- $66.98 million to local projects under the NSW Governments Restart and Rebuilding NSW funding programs
- $34.68 million towards important transport, road and rail projects
- $6.3 million to continue planning for the new Dubbo bridge on the Newell Highway over the Macquarie River
- $59.2 million in 2018-19 to continue Stage 3 & 4 of the Dubbo Hospital redevelopment
- $6.0 million allocated in 2018-19 for the commencement of construction on the Western Cancer Centre Dubbo
- $25.0 million in 2018-19 to kick start construction of the new Mudgee Hospital
- Funding to partner with Tresillian to establish a Family Care Centre Hub in Dubbo
- Funding to continue the construction of the Dubbo Networked Specialist School
- $7.9 million for the ongoing improvements to the visitor experience at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
- Over $4 million towards local projects under the NSW Governments Regional Cultural and stronger country communities fund
The Dubbo electorate is strong and this year’s state budget will support the continued economic growth of our region into the future.
Until next week,
Troy