NSW Budget: What the Illawarra and South Coast will receive

School students and motorists are the big winners across the The Illawarra and south coast regions with a primary school, highway improvements and hospital upgrades on the cards.

The Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions will secure a new primary school, highway improvements and hospital upgrades under a State Budget to “truly deliver for the people of the South Coast”.

Tuesday’s Budget revealed $5.3 million would be allocated for a new primary school in Worrigee, $2.1 million to start major upgrades at Bomaderry High School and $13.7 million to complete major upgrades at Dapto Public School and $7.1 million for Moruya High School.

Under a $721.9 million project, $40.2 million will be allocated for the new Shellharbour Hospital and the integrated services carpark while $11.7 million of a $438 million project will be used for the Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment.

Artist impressions of the Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital upgrade.

The state and federal governments have poured $88 million to transform the Princes Highway program from south of Nowra stretching to the Victorian border. This includes planning on the Milton Ulladulla bypass, Jervis Bay to Sussex Inlet upgrade, the Jervis Bay Road intersection and Moruya bypass.

A total of $72 million will continue the construction for the Nowra Bridge over the Shoalhaven River on the Princes Highway, $61 million to finish the Princes Highway upgrade from Berry to Bomaderry, $55 million towards completing the Albion Park Rail Bypass between Yallah and Oak Flats on the Princes Highway.

Drivers travelling to Sydney are to benefit from the Picton Rd upgrade with $14 million to continue planning for its upgrade. Planning for the Mount Ousley Interchange on the M1 Princes Motorway will receive a $6.3 million boost.

The Milton Ulladulla bypass.

Illawarra and Shoalhaven local councils will receive a $21 million Restart funding for infrastructure building, renewal and upgrade comprising $4.8 million for Shoalhaven sustainable tourism, $4 million for the Albatross Aviation Technology Park and $3 million for Illawarra Regional Airport.

South Coast state Liberal MP Shelley Hancock welcomed the budget.

“I am pleased to announce this Budget is truly delivering for the people of the South Coast,’’ she said.

“We welcome $5.3 million to establish a new primary school in South Nowra/Worrigee as well as continued funding for crucial health and education infrastructure across the electorate.’’

The South Nowra and Worrigee community will get a new high school while Bomaderry High School will be upgraded under $21.5 billion spent on supporting teachers, new and upgraded schools and technology.

However, Wollongong MP Paul Scully said there “wasn’t much” allocated to the Illawarra region.

“I think the residents of Wollongong will be thinking we pay all this tax, pay our fees and make a significant contribution to the NSW economy, but we really do not get our fair share under the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government,” he said.

Mr Scully was disappointed the Wollongong Entertainment Centre had missed out on any funding in another NSW budget.

“While Newcastle gets $6.7 million to start planning the overhaul of their Centre and suburban stadiums in Sydney have business cases funded, but we get absolutely zero again,” he said.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro by James Gourley-Pool/Getty Images)

Deputy Premier and Monaro state Liberal MP John Barilaro said there was never a more crucial time to support regional NSW following devastating drought, bushfires and floods.

He also said regional schools were better funded under the government than ever before and had the same access to world-class educational facilities as students who live in the city.

“Our kids in the bush are benefiting from a government who cars about them because this year’s budget will see a further $6 billion invested in their future.’’

But Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said the government had failed to allocate funds to build a new school and vital infrastructure in the West Dapto development area, which will be home to around 19,000 new homes and more than 50,000 people when complete.

“We are seeing so much new development in West Dapto with no plans for a new school to service those families moving into the area,” she said.

“Instead, the Berejiklian Government have decided to fund an upgrade Dapto Public School- which is already overcrowded with serious traffic congestion issues during peak times. It makes sense to build a new school.”

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said children from preschool to high school would benefit from the budget.

Regional families will share in $150 million to provide free preschool in NSW, including more than 350 regional and remote preschools, saving families up to $4000 a year per child.

“Inside the classroom, regional students are becoming more connected with roll out of high-speed internet and new devices being provided to students and teachers.

A total of $80.4 million will be allocated towards multi-day walking paths including Illawarra’s Great Southern Walk.

The government has allocated $50 million to support regional tourism with a $30 million regional tourism activation fund and $20 million for events.