Federal Budget 2018: what it means for Western Sydney
BILLIONS of dollars will be injected into Greater Western Sydney as part of a groundbreaking infrastructure plan, laid out in the 2018 Federal Budget.
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BILLIONS of dollars will be injected into Greater Western Sydney as part of a groundbreaking infrastructure plan, laid out in the 2018 Federal Budget.
On Tuesday night, Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison handed down the Turnbull Government’s third budget, claiming the needs of Greater Sydney will be met with increased infrastructure including rail and road linkages to beat congestion.
The 2018 budget revealed the Federal Government’s plan to co-fund the first stage of the North South Rail Link across the heart of Greater Sydney from St Marys to the Western Sydney Airport, as part of a plan to bring a ‘jobs bonanza’ to the west.
“This includes investigation of integrated transport and delivery options for a full North South Rail Link from Schofields to Macarthur and a South West Rail Link to connect Leppington to the Western Sydney Airport via an interchange at Badgerys Creek,” the budget papers revealed.
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“This Federal contribution will build on our significant infrastructure investment in Western Sydney that includes up to $5.3 billion of equity to deliver Western Sydney Airport and funding of $2.9 billion for better road linkages as part of the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan.”
The budget revealed the investigation into a rail link from Schofields to Macarthur would be granted with $50 million worth of funding, while the community infrastructure plan for Western Sydney would secure $60 million.
Papers also revealed a $15 million plan to accelerate planning and zoning reforms across Western Sydney to support the housing supply.
Sydney Business Chamber Western Sydney director David Borger said there were not any big new spending announcements for Western Sydney in the budget — disappointing some.
“We will be looking forward to next year’s budget where we will hopefully see some financial commitments around the north south rail link between the new airport and St Mary’s,” Mr Borger said.
He said a jobs boom was on the way, thanks to the new Western Sydney Airport.
“The planning for future rail connections to run through the south west will also be a significant catalyst for business and jobs,” Mr Borger said.
“The business community will be positive that there is light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to budget deficit and starting to pay down debt.
“Business will be the winner in the sense that the commitment to infrastructure, once completed, will transform a significant part of Western Sydney for the better. It will form the nucleus of a new parklands city, as put forward by the Greater Sydney Commission.”
SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS SET TO BENEFIT
PUBLIC Hospitals such as Westmead, Blacktown, Hornsby and Nepean will benefit from $30 billion worth of funding as part of the 2018 budget.
“Our new five year hospitals agreement, which is being signed onto by the States and Territories, will deliver $30 billion in additional funding, a one third increase over the previous five years,” Scott Morrison said during his Budget speech.
“And following last year’s Budget, funding for Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or PBS has been guaranteed in legislation.”
Lifeline Australia, including Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury, will receive additional support as will funding for Mental Health Research, with $125 million over 10 years from the Medical Research Future Fund.
While local schools are also set to benefit from $24.5 billion injected into a needs-based school funding model.
“For parents and students, our legislated needs based funding for schools delivers $24.5 billion more over the next 10 years,” Mr Morrison said.
“That’s 50 per cent more funding per student, on average, over a decade.
“This year schools will receive a record $18.7 billion, with a legislated rise to around $30 billion in 2027.”
Mr Morrison said the issue now was to “focus on how the money can be best spent to give teachers the tools to equip students to grow and succeed”.
“In this Budget we are extending the National Schools Chaplaincy program on a permanent basis, with a special new anti-bullying focus,” he said.
“The National Partnership Agreement on universal access to early childhood education will be extended for a further year at a cost of $440 million.”
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said this year’s Federal Budget supports key projects across NSW.
“As Australia’s only global city, unlocking our share of the $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund will help in our commitment to deliver a 21st century road network,” Mr Perrottet said.
“As a state we will continue to partner with the Federal Government to deliver lower taxes, first-class services and state-of-the-art infrastructure to the people of New South Wales.”