The 2020-21 NSW Budget has been released today by the NSW Government, and includes millions of dollars in new funding for Central Coast projects and initiatives.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the drought, bushfires, flooding and COVID-19 had created the biggest economic shock in over 100 years.
“NSW has the largest economy of any State or Territory in Australia, which means we have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Crouch said.
“This Budget includes targeted and temporary stimulus to keep people in jobs and keep businesses in business at this difficult time.
“By spending millions of dollars across the Central Coast, we will kick the local economy into high gear, while also helping families and individuals with the cost of living.”
Highlights from the 2020-21 NSW Budget for the Central Coast include:
- $100 worth of Out & About vouchers per adult to support local cafes, restaurants, tourism sites and cultural attractions,
- 15 hours of free preschool per child per week for the entirety of 2021,
- Free tutoring at every public school on the Central Coast,
- $39.2 million for the widening of the Pacific Highway at Lisarow between Parsons Road and Ourimbah Street,
- $6.9 million to continue the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Maitland Bay Drive, Blackwall Road and Brisbane Water Drive at Ettalong Beach,
- $1.5 million to continue planning for the $387 million duplication of Central Coast Highway between Wamberal and Bateau Bay,
- $4.3 million to finalise detailed design and commence early works on the Pacific Highway upgrade through Wyong Town Centre,
- $3.1 million for the planning of an upgrade of Manns Road at West Gosford between Stockyard Place and Narara Creek Road,
- $335 million for the roll-out of New Intercity Fleet trains, which will be delivered to the Central Coast and Newcastle Line first,
- $34 million for design, planning approval and construction of an accessibility upgrade at Tuggerah Station,
- $11 million for construction of the accessibility upgrade at Niagara Park Station,
- $4.8 million for construction of the accessibility upgrade at Lisarow Station,
- $4.5 million for construction of the accessibility upgrade at Narara Station,
- $3.5 million to progress the accessibility upgrade at Point Clare Station,
- $1.2 million for improved all-weather access to Woy Woy Station,
- $170,000 for improved all-weather access and customer amenity at Koolewong Station,
- $5 million for the continued planning of faster rail between Sydney and Newcastle,
- $15 million for the construction of the new 500-student Porters Creek Public School,
- Installation of energy-efficient LED lights in local public schools,
- $111.1 million for construction work on the redevelopment of Wyong Hospital,
- $8.3 million for the Central Coast Medical School and Central Coast Research Institute,
- $1.9 million for a new 1.166 MWp solar power system for Gosford Hospital to save on electricity bills and reduce emissions,
- A new $250 million Jobs Plus program to encourage businesses to relocate to NSW, including the Central Coast,
- Tax cuts for thousands of local businesses by increasing the payroll tax-free threshold from $1 million to $1.2 million, and cutting the payroll tax rate from 5.45 per cent to 4.85 per cent,
- $1,500 vouchers for hundreds of local small and medium-sized businesses to cover government fees and charges,
- Free access to expert advisors through the Business Connect program for local business owners impact by the bushfires or COVID-19,
- $5,000 grants for women affected by COVID-19 to overcome obstacles and return to the workforce,
- A new $5 million support service to ensure local small businesses receive access to NSW Government contracts,
- Over $17 million for maintenance and upgrades of social and affordable housing across the Central Coast, including $793,000 to construct new and upgrade existing social and affordable housing for Aboriginal communities in Killarney Vale, and
- Access to a new $100 million Greater Cities and Regional Sports Facility Fund.
For more information, go to: www.budget.nsw.gov.au.