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The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is investing $250 million into essential infrastructure across the state to support the delivery of close to 140,000 new homes. 

This funding will deliver new cycleways and active transport options in Parramatta and Ryde, road and bridge improvements in regional NSW, and sewerage upgrades on the Central Coast to enable more homes needed to cater for growing communities.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said an initial 36 councils and agency-led projects will receive funding through the third round of the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund (AIF).

“We are fast-tracking the delivery of essential infrastructure required to speed up the construction of thousands of new homes right across our state,” Mr Perrottet said. 

“This is part of our strategy to get people into homes faster by cutting red tape, speeding up development applications and boosting construction by getting more shovels into the ground sooner.

“Our long term economic plan is delivering major infrastructure projects for the future and will support communities as they grow.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the new funding builds on a $215 million investment from the Government in the first two rounds of the program, with eligibility extended to regional councils for the first time.

“We know that getting infrastructure right is the key to unlocking land for housing in regional NSW, which is why we have allocated almost $120 million for regional councils in this round, including fast growing areas in the Central West and the Mid-North Coast,” Mr Toole said.

“The areas eligible for this funding account for 94 per cent of NSW’s total population growth over the next 10 years, according to the latest population projections.

“Towns across regional NSW are booming, with more and more people moving away from the city. These projects will help set the foundations for future growth.”

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the councils successful in this round of the AIF will also provide their own funding for projects, amounting to a combined $517 million worth of infrastructure on the way for NSW. 

“We had an outstanding response from regional councils eager to work in partnership with the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to unlock land for new homes faster and boost economic growth. We share their ambition and look forward to working together,” Mr Roberts said. 

The Accelerated Infrastructure Fund is part of the $2.8 billion NSW Housing Package, announced in the 2022-2023 NSW State Budget.

For further details and the complete list of projects visit the AIF webpage here.

Liberal candidate for Coogee, Dr Kylie von Muenster, has been campaigning for pedestrian safety in Randwick, and has welcomed the Perrottet Government’s decision to install new signage near two bus stops on Avoca Street.

Following a review of road safety on Avoca Street near Bundock Street and Sturt Street, two pedestrian warning signs will be put in place in Bundock Street and one on the approach to Sturt Street, to warn motorists of foot traffic in the area.

“We care about the safety of every person using our roads, whether motorists or pedestrians or cyclists, and have always been prepared to invest in keeping our community safe,” Dr von Muenster said.

“With three schools nearby – Rainbow Street Public School, Randwick Girls’ High and Randwick Boys’ High – there is often increased foot traffic on Avoca Street so it’s imperative motorists heed the soon-to-be installed pedestrian warnings signs and slow down in this area.

“We encourage motorists to be extra vigilant in all zones where there’s pedestrian movement, particularly around schools, shops and bus stops.

“The Perrottet Government will continue to look at ways to improve our local roads so that all users can keep moving forward safely and confidently.”

The two pedestrian warning signs are expected to be installed by the end of February.

Children with life limiting conditions and their families will benefit from a $16 million funding boost to enhance paediatric palliative care respite and hospice services.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the new services will complement those already provided by Bear Cottage and at the children’s hospitals in Sydney and Newcastle.

“Few of us could ever imagine the extraordinary courage and resilience needed to support a much-loved child as they progress through their illness,” Mr Perrottet said.

“I am absolutely committed to ensuring we improve the quality of life of these kids and their families, whether the care is being provided at home, in a hospital or a hospice.”

The additional enhancement brings the total funding for palliative care from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government to more than $2.2 billion over the next five years.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding would help provide vital care closer to home.

“Parents going through such inconceivable sadness deserve our support to ensure they can receive respite and assistance when they need it most,” Mr Kean said.

Paediatric palliative care aims to improve quality of life of children with a life-limiting illness as they head towards the end of life. It can include the prevention and relief from pain and other symptoms.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said those caring for children with life limiting conditions face the most challenging situation imaginable and need our every support.

“Families often choose to care for their loved ones at home but many children have complex medical and nursing needs which make that task difficult,” Mr Hazzard said.

“By further enhancing paediatric palliative and end of life care services, we are giving more families support and access to the care they need in a home-like environment.”

NSW Health will work with stakeholders including families and carers, relevant non-government organisations and paediatric palliative care clinicians to identify and fund appropriate services, ensuring the best outcomes for children and their families.

These services may include, but are not limited to, providing dedicated end of life care space for children and their families in children’s hospitals and the provision of additional respite care capacity and support services.

The new $632 million Campbelltown Hospital –  with an emergency department that has tripled in size – has had 33,000 emergency presentations and over 950 babies born since opening last year.

Premier Dominic Perrottet, joined by Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Member for Camden Peter Sidgreaves and Member for Wollondilly Nathaniel Smith, today officially opened the clinical services building, the centrepiece of the $632 million Stage 2 redevelopment.

“The NSW Government is delivering major projects across South-West and Western Sydney to make these communities an even better place to live, work, play and raise a family,” Mr Perrottet said.

“It has been wonderful to see this amazing project progress to a modern facility, enabling our dedicated frontline staff to deliver high-quality care to the people of Macarthur.” 

Mr Hazzard said the $632 million investment is on top of the $134 million Stage 1 redevelopment of Campbelltown Hospital and the new $34 million hospital car park.

“No matter whether you look north, south, east or west, the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government is delivering more hospitals and health facilities across the State than any other NSW Government in history,” Mr Hazzard said.

“This magnificent new $632 million clinical tower will help future proof local health services for years to come to accommodate the growing population of Macarthur.”

Mr Sidgreaves said the new tower includes a new maternity unit, increased medical and surgical services, expanded children’s services and integrated mental health services.

“The record investment in our health system ensures people from within the Macarthur region have access to the healthcare they need, close to home,” Mr Sidgreaves said.

“The state-of-the-art building will service the more than 130,000 new residents expected to call the Macarthur Region home over the next decade.”

Mr Smith said over the past three years, some 4,000 workers were employed to support construction for the $632 million Stage 2 redevelopment.

“This new hospital is a major boost to the local economy and jobs. It is an extraordinary achievement to support our health staff and patients,” Mr Smith said.

Since commissioning of the new building, staff have performed more than 1,500 surgical procedures and cared for more than 780 inpatients through its new children’s unit.

The redevelopment is on track for overall completion in late 2023, with works commencing on the first nuclear medicine department, an expanded medical imaging department and an additional entrance.

The new 12-storey clinical services building includes:

·       New state-of-the-art digital operating theatres and procedure rooms;

·       Double the ICU bed capacity in the future;

·       Almost double the number of maternity beds (as well as an almost 60 per cent increase in the special care nursery and 50 per cent increase in birthing suites);

·       New and expanded surgical services, including interventional radiology; and

·       Significantly expanded mental health services, including a specialised older people’s unit and civil secure unit for adults.

Former buildings have already received a range of refurbishment works, including significant expansion of the hospital’s Pathology Laboratory, Pharmacy, Clinical Information Department (medical records), and for the first time a new Dental Centre.

The works also include landscaping and a range of enhancements to Cancer Therapy Centre, staff administration areas, overnight stay rooms and a dedicated area for Junior Medical Officers.

The NSW Government is investing a record $11.9 billion in health infrastructure to 2025-26. More than 180 hospitals and health facilities have been built since 2011, with a further 130 currently underway.