"The $140 million spend on the road link between Tenterfield and Newcastle is great if it gets underway, but that was it," he said.

"This region has the potential to grow significantly, and we have a business and industry sector that is fully prepared, with the right support, to drive that growth.

"We urgently need more infrastructure investment in road and rail infrastructure to complement state investments so this region can grow at its full potential."

Mr Townsend said while there was a little bit of new money for drought relief, most of the big programs discussed in the budget had already been announced.

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"We really need to see government do more on this front - drought affected areas really are doing it tough and more needs to be done to support these communities," he said.

Mr Townsend said the extension of the instant asset write off for purchases of up to $30,000, and increasing the threshold to $50m annual turnover, would "absolutely help small businesses invest more".

"The NSW Business Chamber worked hard to get those changes for business so it's good to see those announcements," Mr Townsend said.

"Now we just need the scheme to be made permanent and be indexed every year."

Mr Townsend said the skills package was promising, but the chamber needed more detail before it could confidently say it was a good program.

"The government announced that more than half a billion dollars would be set aside for 80,000 new apprenticeships," he said.

"The incentive payment for employers is doubled to $8000 for taking on an apprentice, while the apprentice will also receive a $2000 incentive payment."

Mr Townsend welcomed the additional $200 million for the Building Better Regions fund.

"But before we become too enthusiastic we'll wait and see how much of that our region actually sees," he said.

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