Parliamentary Year of Action: NSW Government

23 November 2017

In 2017 the NSW Government has delivered for people right across the State by easing cost of living pressures, accelerating infrastructure for the future, providing quality services and maintaining the strongest economy in the nation.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said with the NSW economy booming off the back of the Government’s hard work, measures have been put in place this year to ensure everyone receives their fair share, no matter where they live.

“We are in a position to make a real difference to people’s lives, because the NSW Liberals & Nationals turned this State from the worst performing in the country to the best performing,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“In 2017 we have delivered tolling relief, reduced the cost of Green Slips, boosted support measures for first homebuyers, announced the energy bill relief package and introduced the Active Kids Rebate to name just a few.

“At the same time we have committed record funding to health and education, made major progress on building the roads and rail for the future and kept our Budget firmly in surplus.

“The good news for the people of NSW is that 2018 will be even bigger!”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the Liberals & Nationals Government continues to invest record amounts in regional and rural NSW.

“Regional NSW is a powerhouse for the state’s economy with diverse industries and communities that produce one third of the total NSW gross state product,” Mr Barilaro said.

“The NSW Government is delivering for our regions, home to 40 per cent of the state’s population, building safer country roads, upgrading regional rail, building new hospitals and connecting our country classrooms.    

“We are creating jobs, boosting tourism and supporting regional and rural communities by building and fixing what matters to them most.”

In 2017, the NSW Government has:

•         Eased cost of living pressures.

o   Regular toll road users will be eligible for free vehicle registration, saving motorists up to $715 a year;

o   CTP reforms will save vehicle owners up to $172 a year on Green Slips;

o   New stamp duty exemptions are helping first homebuyers save up to $34,360 and break into the property market;

o   The energy affordability package is saving households hundreds of dollars a year;

o   The Active Kids Rebate will begin next year, saving parents up to $100 per school child, per year;

o   Hospital visitors are saving money through capped parking fees for eligible patients and carers in NSW public hospitals.

•         Invested record amounts in health.

o   The Budget included funding for 4 new hospitals and 15 major upgrades;

o   St George Hospital upgrade opened six months ahead of schedule;

o   The $348 million Gosford Public Hospital reached its highest point;

o   Started construction on the $576 million Nepean Hospital upgrade;

o   Opened the new Lismore Hospital Maternity Unit;

o   Funded upgrades of Tweed Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital, Concord Hospital and Campbelltown Hospital;

o   Building continues at hospitals in Wagga Wagga, Sutherland, Westmead and Blacktown-Mount Druitt.

•         Funded 123 new schools and upgrades.

o   $4.2 billion in the Budget to deliver more than 120 new and upgraded schools which will provide 1,500 extra classrooms;

o   New or upgraded schools completed include Bellevue Hill Public School, Point Clare Public School, Harbord Public School, Rowland Hassall School and Fernhill School;

o   Construction started on schools including Bardia Road Public School, Homebush West Public School, Manly Vale Public School, Rainbow Street Public School, Randwick Public School, Hunter Sports High School, Killara Public School, Ballina Coast High School, and Cherrybrook Technology High School;

o   $1.09 billion needs-based funding for every government school for initiatives including targeted literacy and numeracy support.

•         Continued building infrastructure for the future.

o   Opened the new M4 from Parramatta to Homebush;

o   Completed 90 per cent of tunnelling on the M4 East;

o   Reached the halfway tunnelling milestone on NorthConnex;

o   Started geotech drilling for the Western Harbour and North Beaches Tunnel;

o   Started geotech work for F6 extension;

o   Opened the Berry bypass on the Princess Highway;

o   Signed the contract for the Second Harbour Rail Crossing;

o   Started procurement for Parramatta Light Rail Stage One;

o   Took delivery of the first vehicles for Sydney Metro and Sydney Light Rail;

o   Finished the Skytrain for the Sydney Metro Northwest project;

o   Completed Newcastle transport interchange.

•         Delivered more funds for regional and rural NSW.

o   $1.3 billion Regional Growth Fund, including:

  The Growing Local Economic Fund.

  The Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund.

  The Connecting Country Communities Fund.

  The Resources for Regions Fund.

  The Regional Cultural Fund.

  The Stronger Country Communities Fund.

o   The Safe and Secure Water Fund;

o   The Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund;

o   The Fixing Country Roads Fund and the Fixing Country Rail Fund;

o   The Illawarra Infrastructure Fund and the Hunter Infrastructure Fund.

•         Created more jobs.

o   The NSW unemployment rate has now been at or below the national average for 47 consecutive months;

o   NSW unemployment rate is 4.6 per cent, the lowest of any state for the 29th consecutive month;

o   At the last election we promised 150,000 new jobs over four years and delivered 218,900 in 31 months.

•         Kept the budget in surplus.

o   The NSW Government’s strong economic management delivered a surplus of $5.7 billion in 2016-17;

o   At the time of the 2017-18 Budget the Government forecast a surplus of $2.6 billion;

o   The Budget is also forecast to be in surplus across the forward estimates.