State budget 2020: What the Illawarra will get

While the millions of dollars has been allocated across the Illawarra in today’s state budget, much of it will go to projects already underway, with some major projects missing out.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces the construction of a new Shellharbour Hospital in October. Pic Madeline Crittenden

Just $10.1 million has been allocated in the next financial year for the newly announced $698.6 million Shellharbour Hospital development, while a further $4 million has been invested into the $438 million Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment.

The most significant injection of budget funds across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven comes in a $148.5 million cash-splash to continue the construction of the Albion Park Rail bypass, which Kiama MP Gareth Ward yesterday said was tracking more than 12 months ahead of schedule, due to open mid-next year.

Kiama MP Gareth Ward and Minister for regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole at the Albion Park Rail Bypass. Picture: supplied

Meantime a further $102.5 million will be spent this year to continue the expansion of the Princes Highway upgrade between Berry to Bomaderry.

A further $5.8 million will also be injected into increases in rail capacity between Kiama and Bomaderry.

Kiama state Liberal MP Gareth Ward said the NSW Budget “delivers for the Illawarra with substantial health and transport investments”.

“The NSW Government will continue to work hard to deliver life-changing infrastructure for the people of our region.”

Despite Keira MP Ryan Park pushing for cash to fund planning work on the “dangerous” Mt Ousely Interchange in the lead up to the budget, no specific funding was allocated in Tuesday’s announcement.

Keira MP Ryan Park says the Mt Ousley interchange is dangerous. Picture: Madeline Crittenden

The budget did however include $2 million to commence planning of improvements to Picton Road, a move praised by Illawarra Business Chamber Executive Director Adam Zarth.

“This Budget will be well received by all those local business people and representatives that joined our Picton Road Motorway Coalition campaign because they believe our economic future lies in south-western Sydney and they rely on that road operationally,” he said.

“Infrastructure investment is key to growing our way out of the downturn, and so it was important that our region did not miss out on the opportunity to be a part of the boom.”

Wollongong MP Paul Scully has been pushing for funding to upgrade the Wollongong Entertainment Centre, however cash for the project was also absent in Tuesday’s budget. He was, however, pleased there was funding granted for Shellharbour Hospital and Picton Road.

“I note the budget has some funding for the new Shellharbour Hospital, which was achieved after my Parliamentary colleagues, Ryan Park, Anna Watson and I, worked with the Government to negotiate this outcome.” he said.

“Similarly there is initial funding for improving the Picton Road – another example of Ryan Park and I working with the Illawarra Business Chamber to deliver this project”, Mr Scully said.

OTHER ILLAWARRA PROJECTS ALLOCATED BUDGET CASH

– $14 million for a major upgrade of Dapto Public School

– $3.1 million for upgrades to Wollongong Public School

– $912,000 for upgrades to Gwynneville Public School

– $4.8 million for the relocation of the Wollongong office of the Director of Public Prosecutions