NSW is about to get a new budget. Here’s what we already know

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will hand down a fresh budget for the state on June 18, and – just like last year – he’s promising it’ll be one of restraint and balance.

That’s because NSW has been dealt an unenviable blow: the federal commission that divides up GST income for each state has given us $1.9 billion less than it did the previous financial year.

Add to that the unfortunate accounting error that saw the state count the huge Sydney property sales twice, at a cost of $1 billion, and there’s not as much cash to play with.

Mookhey will reveal the full breakdown of the state’s finances on Tuesday. But we’ve already been given a few hints about what to expect.

Here’s everything we know about what’s in the 2024 NSW budget (this list will be updated daily):

Transport

The long-awaited second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail will begin construction before the next election.Credit: Kate Geraghty

• Construction on the long-awaited second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail will begin before the next election, costing $2 billion.
• More than $1 billion will be spent upgrading and creating roads around the new Western Sydney Airport precinct.
• The life of the state’s 55 Tangara trains will be extended for 12 years until a new fleet is constructed and running, at a cost of $447 million.
• A $91 million upgrade to 4000 Opal-enabled buses in Sydney and 1000 in outer metro areas will improve bus tracking technology.
• $24.7 million over four years will be spent on creating more services, routes and zero-emission buses in Western Sydney.

Health

An artist’s impression of the $527 million redevelopment of Ryde Hospital, one of the hospital projects to receive additional funding in the upcoming state budget.

• Hospitals and health facilities will be upgraded in a $3.4 billion investment, costing millions more than initially allocated.
• A new $15.1 million piece of technology replacing a 20-year-old system will help paramedics choose what emergency department to send patients to based on wait times, not locations.
• $274 million will be spent on hiring an additional 250 healthcare workers to increase staffing levels at new and upgraded hospitals.
• A range of community mental health and wellbeing initiatives will begin at a cost of $111 million.
• 32 new paediatric allied health staff will be employed at a cost of $20 million.
• Charity Royal Far West will receive $2.3 million to provide specialist wellbeing services for regional children with complex development concerns.
• Children’s health not-for-profit Karitane will receive $6.5 million to upgrade a children’s and family hub in Carramar.
• $2.5 million will be given to Safe Work NSW for more staff to conduct inspections relating to the upcoming ban on engineered stone that causes silicosis.
• Culturally and linguistically diverse communities will be targeted in new campaigns to increase vaccination rates, at a cost of $15 million.

Education

More than $1 billion will be spent on minor works at hundreds of public schools across the state.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

• The government will spend $3.6 billion on school infrastructure in western Sydney, including a new public primary and high school in Box Hill.
• $1.08 billion will be spent on minor works at hundreds of public schools across NSW, $200 million more than last year.
• Regional schools will receive $1.4 billion over four years to fund new and upgraded schools.
• Casual teachers at TAFE NSW will be converted into full-time staff, costing $83.1 million over four years.

Jobs and economy

The government will launch a program aimed at increasing women’s participation in the workforce.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

• Jobs in the NSW Public Service Commission will be reduced.
• The government will launch a Future Women Jobs Academy program, aimed at increasing women’s participation in the workforce, at a cost of $5.8 million.
• Fee-free training for new apprentices and trainees will continue, at a cost of $16.3 million.
• The state’s foreign purchaser duty surcharge will increase from 8 per cent to 9 per cent from 2025, and the foreign owner land tax surcharge will increase from 4 per cent to 5 per cent.
• 399 firefighter jobs left previously unfunded will be funded for four years, and a new fire station will be built at Badgerys Creek, costing a total of $189.5 million.

Environment and energy

The life of the Eraring Power Station will be extended.Credit: Nick Moir

• The life of Eraring Power Station, near Lake Macquarie, will be extended for two years. The government will potentially pay Origin up to $450 million if the plant runs at a loss.
• The government will establish a $5 million grants program for councils, non-government organisations and community groups to prepare volunteers for natural disasters.
• $945.7 million will be spent investing in biosecurity measures in the state, with an additional $13.1 million for the feral pig culling program.

Housing

The government is focused on delivering more housing.Credit: Oscar Colman

• The government, with local councils, will spend $201.9 million in infrastructure to support the construction of up to 24,000 new homes in Bathurst, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Shoalhaven, the Tweed Shire and Wagga Wagga.
• Building Commission NSW, fully established in December, will be allocated a $35 million annual budget.
• $253.7 million will be spent on planners and improving the state’s online Planning Portal in an attempt to speed up development approvals.
• More than 400 build-to-rent apartments will be built by the government’s development arm, Landcom, over the next three years to house essential workers in Sydney, at a cost of $450 million.
• The government will spend $8.4 million establishing the NSW Rental Taskforce, targeting dodgy agents and legal breaches.
• About 120 new dwellings will be created for health workers living in rural and regional areas, for $200.1 million.

Law and order

Two police stations will be upgraded.Credit: Cole Bennetts

• $22.9 million will be spent upgrading the Waverley and Rose Bay police stations, with an additional $14.2 million over four years being given to the force’s High-Tech Crime Branch.

Culture and entertainment

The winning design for Riverside Theatre in Parramatta.Credit: Wendell Teodoro

• The Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner will be given a $26.9 million boost to focus on regulatory reform and other initiatives to support the night-time economy, and Sound NSW will get $18.5 million to support live music artists and venues.
• The state government will contribute $40 million to redevelop the Riverside Theatre into a 1500-seat “Broadway-style” theatre, a 760-seat playhouse theatre, and a 424-seat black-box theatre.
• $10 million will be spent in a joint effort with Inner West Council and the federal government to upgrade the ailing Leichhardt Oval.

The Sydney Morning Herald will bring you every detail of the NSW budget when it is handed down at noon on Tuesday.

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