NSW Budget 2022-2023: Additional funding and support welcomed by IPWEA NSW
NSW Budget 2022-2023: Additional funding and support welcomed by IPWEA NSW
IPWEA President Grant Baker said that the record infrastructure pipeline of $112.7 billion over the next four years, will help to address current infrastructure challenges faced by our members and communities, during these times of economic recovery.
‘Committing $76.7 billion in transport and infrastructure cluster projects is equally well received to support the future of regional growth and the future wellbeing of our communities.’ He added.
Additional funding of $880.0 million in capital expenditure over four years to improve road safety, including a significant investment through the NSW Road Safety Plan 2026, targeting high risk areas with a regional focus will further improve and keep our communities safe.
A further $201.2 million for regional transport programs and projects including the Fixing Country
Bridges program, continued planning and delivery of the 16 Cities program, and supporting regional councils through the Fixing Local Roads program is important.
Over two years, funding of $193.0 million to support the upgrades of priority regional roads transferred to the State, as part of the NSW Government’s Regional Road Transfer and Road Classification Review will have significant impacts to LG Council’s infrastructure maintenance commitments.
IPWEA NSW and ACT CEO Francine Binns said IPWEA has advocated heavily on behalf of Local Government Councils regarding the challenges in resourcing and skills capacity, cost constraints and time pressures for both transport, road and infrastructure projects.
“IPWEA members have seen the impacts on climate change and events first hand on our communities, and the additional commitment recognising climate change as the key driver of a public infrastructure crisis being faced by the public works sector in NSW is welcomed.
“The $832.7 million committed to deliver a range of recovery programs that provide economic stimulus and support from recovery from natural disaster, targeting regional councils will help address key challenges in the clean-up post storm and flood disasters as well as bushfires, she added.
An additional $149.2 million on top of the previous allocation of $300 million for the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, $120.0 million for Accelerated Infrastructure Fund grants to co-fund critical enabling infrastructure across regional NSW councils is included.
The budget also included water safety and quality, funding $111.7 million for initiatives through the Safe and Secure Water Program, including $90 million over two years to support regional towns dealing with water supply, quality and safety risks.
Overall, it is encouraging through this budget, to see the NSW Government is focusing not only on metropolitan communities but also on our regional communities. As well as recognising the role of local government and its importance in the economic recovery whilst striving to lay the foundation for a sustainable future ahead.
Grant Baker (IPWEA NSW&ACT President) 0418 112 855
Francine Binns (IPWEA NSW&ACT CEO) 0417 065 505
E: nsw@ipweansw.org
• $3.5 billion to support impacted communities and established the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation to set and implement reconstruction priorities in the region.
• $312.5 million to deliver State and local government transport infrastructure resilience improvements and upgrades in the Northern Rivers.
• $145.0 million to replace water and sewerage critical infrastructure.
• $142.0 million for the Property Assessment and Demolition Program to assess properties and demolish those found to be uninhabitable.
• $67.0 million for the North Coast Flood Recovery Education Support Package to support the recovery of schools, early childhood education services and training providers.
• $36.0 million for levee repair works across northern NSW.
• $32.8 million to commence construction of the new Dubbo Bridge on the Newell Highway over the Macquarie River, Dubbo (state and federally funded).
• $44.2 million to continue construction of the Nowra Bridge over the Shoalhaven River on the Princes Highway (state and federally funded).
• $5.6 million to commence planning for the upgrade of Sheahan Bridge on the Hume Highway in Gundagai to allow for heavy freight vehicles.
• $2.6 million to commence planning for a new bridge at Swan Hill.
• $38.4 million to continue construction of the Nelligen Bridge Replacement on the Kings Highway, Nelligen.
• $335 million over four years as part of NSW and Commonwealth Government funded proposal to grade separate several road and rail interfaces in New South Wales as a result of the Inland Rail project.
• $58 million to undertake repair work on state forestry roads and related infrastructure as part of the Forestry Land Stabilisation and Repair Program.