Building a stronger future for the Hunter

12th June 2012

Ministerial media release

Building a stronger future for the Hunter

The Hunter region is one of the winners in today's Budget with investment in critical infrastructure and services as the Government continues to deliver for the future of the region.

Minister for the Hunter, Michael Gallacher said the Government was committed to delivering the vital roads, infrastructure and transport to ensure the Hunter continued to thrive as one of the key regions of NSW.

"This Budget is about continuing our work to build and deliver the infrastructure and services the Hunter needs.

"In today's Budget $25 million has been allocated for the Newcastle inner bypass and the Government has committed to further road developments including:

• $530 million for the construction of the Hunter Expressway;


• a further $31 million for Hunter Expressway ancillary works;


• $2.5 million for Thornton Railway Bridge;


• $6.7 million for the upgrade of Dunmore Bridge on Paterson Road over Patterson River.

"Transport is central to the continued growth of the Hunter and that is why the Government is providing $177 million to fund bus services in the outer metropolitan area and a further $21 million for 45 new buses.

"The region will also benefit from a share in $1.1 billion on maintenance to improve safety and reliability across the RailCorp network as well as a share of the $182 million for the Country Regional Network.

"The Hunter region will benefit from $2 million to boost the Community Transport Program and a share in $148 million in funding for a new program to improve transport access, upgrades, parking and interchanges.

The Government's election commitment for the $350 million Hunter Infrastructure Fund will see funds flow to a number of projects including:

• $63 million on stage 3 construction of Nelson Bay Road;


• $43.5 million on the upgrade of the New England Highway through Maitland until 2014-15; $16.8 million on planning and land acquisition for the new Hunter Valley Hospital;


• a further $62.5 million will be delivered in grants to local Councils until 2014-15 for projects including Hunter wine region roads, Cardiff main street, Lemon Tree Passage Road, Pennant Street Bridge Glendale and the MR 301 road from Dungog to Raymond Terrace.

"The Government's commitment to meeting the heath requirements of the region will be delivered through $23.2 million from the Capital Program allocation for 2012-13 including:

• $1.5 million will be allocated to commence the upgrade of the Cessnock Hospital Emergency Department;


• $7 million towards land acquisition at Waratah adjacent to Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital;


• $11.4 million to continue the Raymond Terrace HealthOne;


• a share of the $3.3 million allocated to the Hunter New England Local Health District to employ approximately 51 more nurses;


• a further $338,000 will be allocated for the Hunter New England Local Health District to employ more Clinical Nurse/Midwife Educators and Clinical Nurse/Midwife Specialists (3FTE);


• a further $2.6 million to provide more sub-acute rehabilitation services at Belmont and Kurri Kurri Hospitals and $1.4 million for additional neonatal intensive care services at John Hunter Children's Hospital.

"A further commitment of $1.8 million to complete the Maitland Mental Health Carer's Room has also been committed in today's Budget.

"The Hunter region will benefit from $1.12 billion in recurrent funding for schools in the Hunter and from more than $280 million to provide improved services for people with a disability.

"$10.2 million has been allocated to expand accommodation for people with disabilities.

"The Hunter region will benefit from $15.69 million for the continued development of the new Newcastle Courthouse and $800,000 has also been allocated towards the new Fire Station at Maryland.

"There will be 16 new fire-fighters in the Hunter and Central Coast as part of the Government's commitment over four years to double hazard reduction in the state's national parks Enhanced Bushfire Management Program.

"The region will benefit from: $1.8 million to help vulnerable families save power and reduce their bills through the Home Power Savings Program.

"Another $5.6 million for continued research and development into low emissions coal technologies for the reduction of CO2 emissions, including joint programs with University of Newcastle and CSIRO Newcastle, under Coal Innovation NSW.

"And there's $3 million for the completion of the Scone Aberdeen water supply project," Minister Gallacher concluded.


Building a stronger future for the Hunter (PDF 141KB)