In her second budget, NSW Treasurer Gladys Berekijlian has delivered a $3.5 billion surplus with Newcastle and the Hunter receiving over $255 million. $142 million of that will go towards the construction of Newcastle's Light Rail.
Key highlights from the 2016-17 budget for the Hunter include:
- $142 million for Newcastle Light Rail.
- $35 million for Cormorant Road, Industrial Drive to Stockton Bridge works.
- $29 million to deal with mining voids in Newcastle, developing a new Muswellbrook sewerage treatment plant, redevelopment of the Maitland Sports ground complex and the Newcastle cruise terminal.
- $18 million for the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund.
- $14 million for freight rail between Hexam and Fassifern.
- $10.3 million to complete the final stages of the John Hunter Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- $7 million to continue planning for M1 extension to Raymond Terrace.
- $6.2 million for the NSW Government response to the Williamtown Royal Australian Air Fore Base Contamination
- $6.2 million for planning and site preparation for the new Maitland Hospital.
- $5 million to continue the Newcastle Inner City Bypass project.
- $3.8 million for upgrades of the TAFE Hunter Institute Newcastle Campus Block D.
The surplus is expected rise to 3.7 billion on the back of sales including the $1.7 billion lease of the Port of Newcastle and other assets from the Hunter.
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| Gladys Berekijlian. Photo Courtesy of The Newcastle Herald. |
