WITH all the focus on the upcoming federal election, next Tuesday’s state budget has gone a little under the radar.
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We’re starting to see a little of the tickle down now, with some announcements for funding of major projects, including a $108 million investment in a new fleet of double decker buses and new public transport routes through Sydney.
Three state taxes will be abolished from July first, saving businesses more than $400 million a year, according to Treasury estimates, and a new foreign investor surcharge will be introduced on stamp duty and land tax on residential real estate.
That measure alone is expected to raise more than $1 billion over four years.
The redevelopment of Sydney’s Westmead Hospital gets $100 million – the total cost of the project is $900 million over four years.
With a more regional focus, the 2016-17 budget will also include a $150 million boost for NSW Ambulance personnel and infrastructure, with $12.8 million to employ 85 extra paramedics in metropolitan and regional centres, and $17 million to enhance the Helicopter Retrieval Network, providing doctors on every flight operating 24/7 out of Newcastle, Tamworth, Orange, Wollongong, Lismore and Bankstown.
Of course, it would be nice to see enough GP’s in our region to service the local population, but that’s another story.
As for what we don’t yet know about the budget, our local mayors have a bit of a hit list.
Not surprisingly, roads and bridges come in at number one.
Local Government NSW is calling for an increase in Regional Road Block Grant funding to address an $89 million annual funding gap, while they also want the funding formula changed to better reflect the increasing costs of road construction and maintenance to local governments.
Tamworth Regional Council mayor Col Murray said he’d also like to see a number of local projects get off the ground, including the Centre of Sporting Excellence and the upgrade of Appleby Ln.
The story is the same right across the region, with calls for funding to complete the Armidale hospital redevelopment and money for increased police resources in Moree.
We all know it’s a balancing act, and there’s probably no point crossing fingers at this late stage in the game, but let’s hope some of these big-ticket items get the tick on budget day and it’s not just about improving services for western Sydney.