Federal Budget 2023-24: What it means for your community, local projects, winners and losers
Billions have been pledged towards road upgrades, renewable energy projects and cultural institutions, as a long list of vital local projects face the budget axe. See what it means for you.
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Billions of dollars have been pledged towards local road upgrades, renewable energy projects and cultural institutions in this year’s federal budget as other nation-shaping projects face the budget axe.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers brought down his second budget on Tuesday night, announcing the first surplus in 15 years amid worsening global economic conditions.
The budget included major funding commitments for NSW and the ACT including more than $900 million for local infrastructure projects in Western Sydney.
There is also a major commitment to help communities in the Hunter Region make the switch from coal to hydrogen as part of the Federal Government’s focus on renewable energy.
Cultural institutions in Canberra also emerged a major winner with more than $500 million to be spent over the next four years bankrolling museums and art gallery upgrades.
But the budget papers have revealed funding could be slashed from $120 billion worth of infrastructure projects promised by the previous government as part of a review of projects yet to commence construction or are not included in Tuesday’s budget papers.
The review is expected to focus on projects including the $1.6bn planned extension of the M1 to Raymond Terrace on the Central Coast, $550m for a New England Highway-Singleton bypass in the Hunter Valley, and $336m to upgrade the Pacific Highway at Wyong.
The Federal Government stated a review of the projects would allow “all levels of government time to consider the projects that are actual priorities” and “assess their cost and deliverability in the current climate.”
“The process will help to lay firm foundations to build a more sustainable, credible pipeline of investment,” the budget papers stated.
We break down what the budget means for communities across NSW and the ACT:
WESTERN SYDNEY: THE INFRASTRUCTURE WINNER
Local road upgrades and helping coal communities make the switch to clean energy are the big winners of new infrastructure spending in NSW.
The budget reveals communities in Sydney’s west will receive $917.6 million over the next four years under the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan.
The funding will be designed to “enhance capacity and improve transport infrastructure” across the region.
Projects included in the plan include upgrades of The Northern Road to a minimum of four lanes from Narellan to Jamison Road in Penrith, and the construction of a new east-west motorway to the airport between the M7 Motorway and The Northern Road.
The Federal Government will spend a further $23.1 million funding the Western Sydney City Deal, aimed at delivering improved community facilities, urban amenities, cutting development costs and boosting housing supply.
Both funding pledges are on top of funding for the new Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek which has received additional funding in Tuesday’s budget for the construction of border services and law enforcement operations.
Clean energy projects in the Hunter Region and Port of Newcastle will get a major cash injection of $100 million to support the region becoming ‘hydrogen ready’ over the next four years.
The funding pledge comes after AGL Energy shut down its Liddell coal plant last month – one of a string of major fossil fuel power stations set to close this decade.
Long-planned safety upgrades for the Bells Line of Road will meanwhile receive a share of the $361.9 million to be spent on new road infrastructure projects in NSW over the next eight years.
The funding will also bankroll planning works on the Nowra Bypass project which is aimed at easing congestion and reducing travel times in the Shoalhaven region.
Upgrades to the state’s existing road network will meanwhile receive $550.5 million over the next four years under the Roads to Recovery program.
A further $143.6 million has been allocated over the same period to NSW fix black spots and $119.7 million will be spent upgrading and replacing bridges.
In the state’s west, $3 million will be spent to undertake a feasibility study for an intermodal terminal in Parkes to support the planned inland rail program.
Heritage precincts on Sydney Harbour were another budget winner including $45.2 million to continue the renewal and repair of infrastructure and public safety improvements at North Head Sanctuary and Cockatoo Island.
The funding – to be spread over the next two years – will support work to address the critical backlog of repair work within the heritage-listed sites.
There is also $23 million over the next four years for the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney to carry out building repairs, safety upgrades and compliance works.
On the state’s south coast, $23.3 million will be allocated over the next four years to rectify the disrepair of residential housing in the Wreck Bay Village at Jervis Bay.
AUDITS COULD CUT ROAD, RAIL PROJECTS
The Federal Government is set to conduct an independent review of hundreds of infrastructure projects across the country which could result in long-promised roads and rail commitments being cut.
Tuesday’s federal budget revealed a vast majority of the 800 Infrastructure Investment Program projects, which were either yet to start construction or were not Labor election commitments, would be subject to an independent audit to determine their viability.
An Infrastructure Department spokeswoman was unable to confirm the full list of projects in the $120 billion fund that would be subject to the review, instead telling NewsCorp that Infrastructure Minister Kirsty McBain would speak with her state and territory counterparts before confirming projects facing the independent audit.
Budget documents confirmed that, despite the review, a massive $55.4 billion in taxpayer funds had been allocated to the Infrastructure Investment Program.
The program is made up by black spot projects, the Bridges Renewal Program, Developing Northern Australia program, as well as the roads and rail investment schemes and the Roads to Recovery fund.
“In recent years, the Infrastructure Investment Program has drifted away from a focus on projects of national significance, and market capacity challenges and cost pressures have increased,” Dr Chalmers said in budget papers.
“An independent strategic review will ensure the Government’s $120 billion pipeline over ten years is fit for purpose and the government’s investment is focused on projects which improve long-term productivity, supply chains and economic growth in our cities and regions.”
The budget confirmed the federal government would “work with states, territories and local governments to prioritise the delivery of projects currently under construction and election commitments”.
“The maintenance of supply chains is important for economic resilience and connectivity. The Government will provide a further $200 million for the development of major project business cases,” Dr Chalmers said.
“A further $13.5 million will be provided to improve aviation safety and fund critical upgrades to remote airstrips, to ensure continued access to essential health care, employment and educational opportunities for remote communities.”
TEACHER WORKLOADS IN EDUCATION SPENDING SPOTLIGHT
Tuesday’s federal budget confirmed NSW was set to benefit from a whopping $8.535 billion in Quality Schools funding – which is set to increase to $8.862 billion in the 2024-25 financial year.
The state’s non-government schools were the biggest winners in the funding allocation this financial year, with a massive $5.286 billion cash splash. Meanwhile, $3.248 billion will be handed over to public schools this upcoming financial year.
“The Australian Government uses a needs-based model for school funding, which delivers a consistent national approach for all schools in all states,” Treasury papers read.
A further $68 million, one-off-payment will be allocated to NSW schools to build “new classrooms, buildings, or other major refurbishments and upgrades”.
A total of $45.2 million will also be allocated to NSW schools as part of the national student wellbeing program, which provides “pastoral care services in participating schools”.
Meanwhile, the government’s pledge to provide “universal access” to 600 hours of preschool for children each year before they start school has seen another $382.5 million allocated to NSW over the next three years.
The funding is aimed at supporting preschool participation and outcomes, including improved enrolment and attendance.
NSW will also get a share of $69 million nationwide funding to improve ventilation and air quality in classrooms, and making small scale improvements such as upgrading IT equipment.
There is a further $25 million in nationwide funding over the next four years to establish a
new pilot program to reduce teacher workloads with the aim of maximising the time they can spend in the classroom.
A HEALTH AND AGED CARE FOCUS
NSW residents will receive $8.290 billion for the National Health Reform fund in the 2023-24 financial year, which will also increase to $8.781 billion the following year.
When it comes to palliative care support inside aged care facilities across NSW, $4.1 million worth of federal funding will be provided over the next two years.
“The Australian Government is providing funding to improve access to palliative care for older Australians living in residential aged care facilities, supporting new approaches, such as ‘in reach’ services, that will improve palliative and end-of-life care,” Treasury documents read.
The national bowel cancer screening program would see a $5.1 million cash injection in the next two years, while the national Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement will see a further $18.8 million across NSW over the next three years.
Meanwhile, a pilot program to reduce the pressure on public emergency departments will see a further $10.4 million injected into NSW Health facilities this financial year.
Specialist dementia care facilities across the state will get a further $1.9 million, following a $1.8 million cash injection in the October 2022 budget.
An additional $6.7 million will be allocated over the next three years for a world-class newborn bloodspot screening program in NSW.
While a one-off $4.6 million commitment will see regional cancer treatment centres for radiation therapy programs for NSW.
A further $68.8 million in public dental service funding will also be rolled out across the state, with the Australian Government “providing funding to support the improved oral health of patients who rely on the public dental system”.
Nationwide, $166.8 million will be spent to fund an additional 9500 Home Care Packages in the next financial year.
CULTURAL CASH SPLASH
Canberra will benefit from a bonanza of new arts and cultural funding including $146.1 million for the National Library of Australia.
The funding – to be split over the next four years – will support the continuation of the Trove digital database as well as fund building maintenance and IT infrastructure works.
There is also $119.1 million for the National Gallery of Australia to bankroll building upgrades and maintenance works.
A further $78.3 million will be allocated to the National Museum of Australia for gallery refurbishments, fire safety works, and other upgrades.
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House will meanwhile receive $37.8 million for building refurbishments, upgrades and conservation works.
There is also $36.5 million for the National Archives of Australia to upgrade data centres and digitise at-risk and high priority records.
A further $34 million will be allocated to the National Film and Sound Archive to replace building management, security and fire safety systems.
The National Portrait Gallery of Australia will also receive $27 million for upgrades and repairs.
The Australian Film Television and Radio School in Sydney will meanwhile receive $500,000 in the coming financial year to support course offerings and upgrade facilities.
HOUSING AND ENERGY
A massive $2.1 billion will be spent over the next four years to combat homelessness across NSW, with a further $516 million allocated to the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement funding this financial year alone.
“The NHHA contributes to improving access to affordable, safe and sustainable housing, including to prevent and address homelessness, and to support social and economic participation,” the budget papers stated.
“The NHHA supports state and territory governments to deliver funding to support better housing and homelessness outcomes.
Build-to-rent projects will also be encouraged through tax incentives targeted at eligible development projects.
Budget documents stated the measure was designed to “encourage investment and construction in the build-to-rent sector” and to “expand Australia’s housing supply.”
There are already several multimillion build-to-rent schemes planned in Sydney including in the growth suburbs of Macquarie Park and Parramatta.
Other measures included in the budget to address housing affordability include an extra $31 per fortnight for people renting in the private market and community housing – the largest increase in more than 30 years.
The government’s focus on renewable energy will meanwhile see NSW receive a massive $4.7 billion for critical transmission and renewable energy zones as part of a funding partnership with the NSW Government.
NSW will also receive a share of $1.3 billion in nationwide funding through the Household Energy Upgrades package which is aimed at supporting home upgrades that improve energy performance and save energy.
The budget has pledged a further $8.9 million for new recycling infrastructure in NSW in the coming financial year.
The funding is aimed at supporting projects that increase Australia’s waste processing and recycling capacity and addressing recycling challenges in regional and remote communities.
DISASTER RECOVERY
Major funding has been confirmed to respond to natural disasters in the wake of the 2019–20 bushfires and the 2022 floods.
The funding includes $125.7 million to boost the capacity of the National Emergency Management Agency, designed at supporting communities during and following a disaster.
$10.1 million will also be spent over the next two years to modernise Australia’s emergency service communications to improve the operational effectiveness of public safety personnel.
Funding will also be allocated to finalise building a new national cell broadcast messaging system to improve emergency warning communications.
A further $7.2 million will be spent over the two years to extend mental health services in communities affected by disasters.
Funding has also been promised to community legal centres in parts of the NSW affected by the 2019–20 bushfires and the 2022 floods.
According to budget papers, the $10.1 million funding package – split with Queensland – will help meet the increase in demand for legal assistance services to individuals, small businesses, and primary producers following a natural disaster.
REGIONAL COMMUNITIES
The Federal Government has pledged $148.6 million over the next four years towards the sustainability of the Murray-Darling Basin.
The funding includes $103.7 million for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to undertake the first statutory review of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan 2012 with updated science to enable the basin to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The Australian Government is also providing funding to support projects in the Albury Wodonga region that are designed to deliver economic and education benefits that improve the liveability of the community.
The funding pledge includes $8 million in the coming financial year, rising to $24.5 million in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years.
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