NSW’s $108.5bn infrastructure spend: Where is the money going?

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said, “NSW already has regained the ground lost during COVID-19, but it is hard to believe that only 12 months ago, our state was nearing the deepest point of its first recession in nearly 30 years.”

“The state’s exceptional performance through COVID-19 has unleashed a wave of pride in NSW, and we are investing more in our own backyard to enhance communities and tourist and cultural attractions in the city and the bush,” he said.

The NSW state government’s latest tranche of infrastructure spending includes:

• $12 billion for the Sydney Metro West light-rail project
• $3.1 billion on modernising the state’s rail network as part of More Trains, More Services initiative
• $2.7 billion for stage 1 of the M6 Motorway
• $2 billion to upgrade the Great Western Highway
• $1.9 billion to WestConnex’s M4-M5 link tunnels and the Rozelle Interchange
• $1.3 billion for the Mariyung Fleet trains
• $1.3 billion to upgrade the Northern Road and M12 Motorway
• $717.9 million to implement to Transport Access program
• $683.5 million for miscellaneous road safety initiatives
• $588.1 million on NSW bus services, including the transition to a low-emission transport fleet
• $168.7 million on the Muswellbrook bypass and New England Highway
• $115.6 million on the widening of Henry Lawson Drive
• $50 million on the ongoing development of the Parramatta Light Rail network
• $34.1 million on the Roads to Home program, which promises to improve infrastructure for 10 additional Aboriginal communities
• $139.3 million in funding for the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund, which promises to help local councils support construction activity and improve house supply in greenfield sites
• $429.1 million to upgrade the Princes Highway
• $872.6 million to upgrade the Newell Highway
• $1.3 billion on the redevelopment of Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital and Community Health Services
• $835 million for the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct
• $740 million on the Liverpool Health and Academic Precinct 
• $3.3 billion on 44 new and upgraded schools 
• $1.2 billion on the Coffs Harbour Bypass
• $165 million on the redevelopment of Goulburn Hospital
• $150.6 million on the Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precinct
• $80.4 million for National Park walking experiences
• $80 million on the redevelopment of Moree Hospital
• $60 million on upgrades for the Goulburn Policy Academy
• $870 million on-site preparation for Bradfield City Centre
• $165.6 million on the transformation of Ultimo’s Powerhouse Museum

According to the budget papers, “This significant infrastructure investment will ensure New South Wales is well positioned to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic and can respond with agility to the challenges of today and tomorrow.”