As expected, already-announced Illawarra health projects and road infrastructure dominated Tuesday’s budget, but Wollongong emergency services did share in millions of dollars.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The State Emergency Service received a major boost, with $7.3 million to be spent in 2015-16 on a new headquarters in Wollongong, while $500,000 has been allocated to kick-start a major refurbishment of the Wollongong Fire Station.
The fire station upgrade, due for completion in 2018, is estimated to cost almost $5 million.
The allocation is part of $1.14 billion spend on the SES, Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Rural Fire Service in 2015-16.
As the Mercury revealed ahead of Tuesday’s budget, $14.7 million was allocated to the Bulli Hospital upgrade, with work on the new Aged Care Centre of Excellence to begin this financial year.
Other health money included planning dollars for the Shellharbour hospital upgrade, while Berry will receive a new ambulance station.
The 2015-16 health budget also includes money to complete the car park and elective surgery unit at Wollongong Hospital.
On the roads, the budget confirmed further spending on a number of Princes Highway projects across the region, including $3 million of planning money for the Albion Park Rail bypass and $140 million for continuing on the Foxground and Berry bypass.
The M1 Princes Motorway (formerly F6 Freeway) shared in the money, with $2.5 million planning money for improvements (slow-vehicle climbing lanes) between Picton Road and Bulli Tops and $500,000 to investigate an interchange at the base of Mount Ousley.
The budget also earmarked $5 million for the ‘‘Gateway to the South’’, which includes the M1 extension and removal of pinch points.
Despite Transport Minister Andrew Constance spruiking a budget that delivers more accessible public transport, the long-awaited lifts at Unanderra train station again went begging.
New lifts will be built at stations across Western Sydney as part of the funding boost, including at Harris Park, Toongabbie, Berala and Homebush.
Some Illawarra MPs have called for new schools in Wollongong’s southern suburbs – including West Dapto and Shell Cove/Flinders – but there was little in terms of education for the region.
Money will, however, be spent on upgrade projects at Keira High School, Illawarra Sports High School and Lakelands Public School, although specific amounts weren’t evident in the budget papers.
Elsewhere, Illawarra rail commuters will benefit from a 2015-16 budget allocation of $94 million towards a new $2.8 billion Intercity Fleet, which will deliver new state-of-the-art trains.
In her speech, Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian said the budget was about building on the state’s future, with record spends on infrastructure and health.
‘‘It provides a massive boost to the services people rely on and record investment in infrastructure,’’ Ms Berejiklian said.
‘‘It supports the most vulnerable and provides opportunities for people to be their best, no matter where they live and what the circumstances.’’
ROADS
- $3 million planning money for Albion Park Rail bypass
- $11.9 million to continue work on Princes Highway upgrade at Gerringong (Mount Pleasant to Toolijooa Road) *remaining money of the $340m
- $140 million for the Foxground and Berry bypass
- $4.5 million planning money for Berry to Bomaderry Princes Highway upgrade
- $2.5 million planning money for Princes Motorway improvements (slow-vehicle climbing lanes) between Picton Road and Bulli Tops
- $500,000 planning money for interchange at the base of Mount Ousley
- $3 million planning money for Nowra bridge
- $5 million earmarked for "Gateway to the South" M1 Motorway (formerly F6 Freeway) extension
HEALTH
- $14.7 million for Bulli Hospital Aged Care Centre of Excellence
- $2.9 million planning money for Shellharbour hospital upgrade
- $4.2 million to complete Wollongong Hospital car park
- $4.4 million to complete Wollongong Hospital elective surgery unit
- $1.9 million to expand stimulant treatment program to the Illawarra/Shoalhaven
- Berry ambulance station one of four ambulance stations to share in $14.4 million
EMERGENCY SERVICES
- $500,000 for Wollongong Fire Station refurbishment
- $7.3 million for new SES headquarters in Wollongong
EDUCATION
- Upgrade projects at Keira High School, Illawarra Sports High School and Lakelands Public School
- Illawarra Institute one of seven new projects worth $17 million - to help students access online learning tools
JUSTICE
- $5.6 million to continue Wollongong courthouse upgrade (remaining money of $15m total cost)