The New South Wales Government has announced $33 billion worth of transport infrastructure investments in its 2020-21 State Budget, including $14 billion in transport infrastructure to connect Greater Sydney.
NSW Minister for Transport and Roads, Andrew Constance, said the 2020-21 NSW Budget would deliver on the State Government’s vision of a connected Greater Sydney.
“Throughout Greater Sydney, the NSW Government is delivering quality services, new and innovative connections and important transport projects that will transform the future of mobility,” Mr Constance said.
“Game changing projects such as Sydney Metro, Parramatta Light Rail, and WestConnex are creating jobs and delivering economic benefits to local communities.
“By 2024, Sydney will have 31 metro railway stations and a 66km of standalone metro railway system, revolutionising the way our city travels.
“The Sydney Metro West project alone will help double rail capacity between Greater Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, transforming Sydney for generations to come.”
Almost $28 billion will be invested over the next four years by the NSW Government into continuing the delivery of the Sydney Metro City and Southwest project and commencing the construction of the Sydney Metro West, and Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport projects.
This is part of a multi-billion-dollar long-term investment into building a new Metro network to better connect Greater Sydney.
In Sydney’s west, more than $656 million in this budget is being invested into the construction of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1. This critical investment is expected to support growth in this region by connecting new communities and places.
“Across the city, we are already seeing the benefits of congestion busting projects such as WestConnex, with the M8 and New M4 tunnels providing more efficient journeys,” Mr Constance said.
“In this year’s Budget we are allocating $1.3 billion to continue construction of the WestConnex Motorway including delivery of the final stage of the project, the M4-M5 link tunnels and Rozelle Interchange by 2023. This project alone is worth $3.1 billion over four years.
“Throughout this pandemic, critical construction and maintenance work across NSW roads and transport networks has kept more than 130,000 people directly and indirectly employed by Transport for NSW.
“The investment in these projects will continue to deliver jobs and create the transport network of the future.”
Some of the other significant programs and projects receiving funding include:
- $1.6 billion ($1.5 billion recurrent and $49 million capital) for bus services throughout NSW, including regional and metropolitan bus services, school services and funding of new and replacement buses
- An additional $192 million for the Transport Access Program to upgrade train stations and ferry wharves to make them more accessible including new lifts, ramps and footbridges. This adds to the existing $885 million that was committed over four years in last year’s Budget
- Almost $545 million ($4.2 billion over four years) to commence construction on the Sydney Gateway project and continue planning and preconstruction activities for the M6 Stage 1 Extension
- $356 million ($5.7 billion over four years) for the planning and preconstruction for the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade as part of the Western Harbour Tunnel program
- $197 million over the next four years for the Prospect Highway upgrade (State and Federal funded) including $13.9 million in 2020-21
- $149 million over the next four years for the Memorial Avenue upgrade, including $37 million in 2020-21
- $120 million over the next two years to match the Federal funding commitment for metropolitan pinch points
- More than $1.1 billion ($4 billion over the forward estimates) to continue to deliver More Trains, More Services for increased rail services, and more frequent and additional services on the Illawarra, Airport and South Coast lines
- Fully funding the delivery of commuter car parks at Edmondson Park, Leppington, Warwick Farm, West Ryde, Emu Plains, Schofields, Revesby, Riverwood, North Rocks, Engadine, Hornsby, Jannali, Wentworthville, Winston Hills, Casula, Tuggerah and Beverly Hills
- Almost $710 million in walking and cycling infrastructure over the next four years, bringing the NSW Government’s total investment to almost $1.1 billion – the largest in the State’s history
Regional NSW won’t be left behind
Regional NSW will also benefit from an unprecedented investment in the 2020-21 NSW Budget, which will deliver safer roads, more efficient freight networks, better connections for regional communities and a major boost in local jobs.
NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole, said the State Government’s investment would drive projects that will serve future generations for years to come.
“We’re delivering more for the regions than ever before, and we’re doing it as fast as we can,” Mr Toole said.
“We are building a better NSW by turbocharging funding for the small projects communities need now and accelerating the big infrastructure that will support future growth.
“Right across the state, the NSW Government is investing in game-changing projects like the Coffs Harbour bypass, and the final link in the upgrade of the Pacific Highway which is now almost fully duplicated between Hexham and the Queensland border.
“We’re transforming journeys on the South Coast in the same way, with $432 million in this year’s budget for the Princes Highway, including the new Nowra Bridge and planning for further upgrades between Nowra and the Victorian border.
“Nearly every major highway is seeing investment that will deliver safer journeys and improved productivity – from new overtaking lanes on the Newell, planning for the Singleton and Muswellbrook bypasses on the New England Highway and sealing of the Silver City and Cobb in the Far West.”
Mr Toole said fast-tracked funding for two of the NSW Government’s key election commitments would create thousands of regional jobs at a time they were needed the most and see regional communities benefit faster.
“This year’s budget includes accelerated funding for Fixing Local Roads with $312 million to repair, maintain and seal the roads communities use every day and another $108 million towards the Fixing Country Bridges program to replace old timber bridges,” Mr Toole said.
“That’s hundreds of projects that will start across the state in the next 12 months, helping councils to create and support jobs, drive productivity and keep our regional communities connected.”
Mr Toole said the NSW Government was committed to improving public transport in the regions, with further funding in the Budget for the new Regional Rail Fleet and construction of a purpose-built maintenance facility at Dubbo.
“We have also committed $13.5 million for the continued planning and delivery of the 16 Regional Cities Program to boost bus services in key regional centres where we are also working to allow customers to track their bus in real-time,” Mr Toole said.
“These investments and projects will not only make journeys safer, faster and more reliable – they will also create and support thousands of jobs as part of the NSW Government’s plan for a prosperous, post-pandemic economy.”
Some of the highlights from the Budget include:
- Almost $432 million ($1.4 billion over four years) for projects underway on the Princes Highway including the new Nowra Bridge, the Batemans Bay Bridge, Albion Park Rail Bypass and the Berry to Bomaderry Upgrade, as well as planning for further upgrades between Nowra and the Victorian border
- Almost $342 million ($383 million over four years) to complete duplication of the Pacific Highway, including completing construction between Woolgoolga to Ballina
- $135 million ($1 billion over four years) for planning and early works for the Coffs Harbour Bypass
- More than $15 million ($436 million over four years) to continue planning for the Great Western Highway upgrade between Katoomba and Lithgow
- Almost $158 million for the Newell Highway, including delivery of additional overtaking lanes, flood mitigation works, heavy duty pavement upgrades as well as planning for the Parkes Bypass and new Dubbo Bridge
- More than $50 million ($61.6 over next two years) towards completion of the sealing of the Silver City and Cobb Highways in the Far West to open up the region for tourism and freight operators
- Almost $9 million to continue planning for the Muswellbrook and Singleton Bypasses on the New England Highway
- More than $43 million ($1.3 billion over four years) for the Regional Rail Fleet Program to replace the ageing fleet and build a rail maintenance facility in Dubbo
- More than $31 million ($258 million over four years) initial NSW and Australian Government investment in a Fast Rail network
