The 2025-26 NSW Budget builds on the strong foundations the Minns Labor Government has laid since coming to office – continuing our plan to deliver better essential services, build the homes and infrastructure our growing state needs and invest in the future of the Hunter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year\u2019s budget reflects a responsible and people-focused approach to economic management. It continues our record of structural reform – including reducing gross debt, lowering expense growth and delivering savings on interest payments – while investing in the long-term prosperity of communities across NSW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Hunter, the 2025-26 Budget funds the continued delivery of key projects and vital new investments to keep our communities strong, safe and supported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hunter specific commitments across major areas includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$7.5 million to increase car parking capacity at the new Maitland Hospital
Continuing delivery of the:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$835.0 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct
$180.0 million Lower Mid North Coast Health Service (Manning and Forster-Tuncurry)
$138.0 million Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment
$45.0 million Muswellbrook Hospital Redevelopment \u2013 Stage 3
Transport and Roads<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An additional $35 million for Thornton Bridge duplication project
Partnering with the Australian Government to deliver:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$2.3 billion for restoration works to repair local and state roads damaged in major flood events, including in the Hunter and Northern Rivers
$741.7 million to continue the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension and Hexham Straight widening
$294.9 million to continue construction of the Singleton Bypass
$267.0 million to fast track the Muswellbrook Bypass
$100.0 million for the Westbound Overpass at the Maitland Roundabout
$10 million towards delivering the $275.0 million duplication of Nelson Bay Road from Williamtown to Bobs Farm
$5 million additional funding to upgrade the Speers Point roundabout, bringing the total commitment to $16 million.
Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upgrades to high schools in Lake Macquarie and Muswellbrook as part of the High Potential and Gifted Education School Partner Program
Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at TAFE NSW Tighes Hill in Newcastle – training the future net zero workforce
The Minns Labor Government\u2019s investment to address the teacher shortage crisis has resulted in a 64 per cent decrease in teacher vacancies across the Hunter Local Government Areas, compared to the peak of the teacher shortage crisis in 2022
Continuing delivery of:
A new primary school and high school in Huntlee, including a new preschool
An upgrade at Thornton Public School
A new high school at Medowie
The redevelopment of Gillieston Public School
The redevelopment of Newcastle High School
An upgrade to the Hunter River High School
Continuing delivery of the NSW Government’s 100 public preschools, including at:
Booragul, Cessnock, Ellalong, Gillieston, Kearsley, Kurri Kurri, Maryland, Moorland, Nulkaba, Shortland, Taree, Tenambit, Teralba and Weston public schools
Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$530.0 million to build the Belmont Desalination Plant – delivering up to 30 million litres per day of rainfall-independent water
$115.5 million to build the Newcastle Logistics Precinct – a key hub for the delivery of affordable renewable energy
$82.1 million over four years for the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme Repairs and Rebuilding project
$21.5 million over five years for sand nourishment at Stockton Beach, protecting assets and rehabilitating the coastline
Communities and Justice<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$49.2 million for purpose-built or upgraded residential housing for children in out-of-home care aged 12 years and over with complex needs, including in the Hunter
$4.6 million to enhance the local community and visitor experience at the Tomaree Lodge site
Continuing delivery of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A once in a generation pay rise for police
Paying police recruits to train which has resulted in a 71 per cent increase in the number of applications to join the NSW Police Force
Establishing a pathway for regional recruits to serve in or near their hometown after graduating the Goulburn Police Academy
Primary Industries and Regional Development<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$27.3 million to establish the Future Jobs and Investment Authority to coordinate economic opportunities in coal-producing regions like the Hunter
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism and Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis budget delivers real results for the Hunter – from more hospital parking in Maitland to upgrades at local schools and a major investment in our region\u2019s water security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith $530 million for the Belmont Desalination Plant and funding for flood mitigation, renewable energy logistics and coastal protection at Stockton, we\u2019re securing the Hunter\u2019s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re fast-tracking the Muswellbrook Bypass, upgrading high schools in Lake Macquarie and Muswellbrook, and building a new westbound overpass at Maitland Roundabout to ease congestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve made real progress, but there\u2019s more work to do – and this budget helps build a better future for the Hunter and for NSW.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Minister Families and Community and Disability Inclusion and Member for Port Stephens, Kate Washington said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis Budget is about delivering on the things that matter most to our community \u2013 safer roads, better schools and more support for the places we love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMajor upgrades like the M1 extension to Raymond Terrace and the widening of Hexham Straight will cut travel times and boost safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur government\u2019s investment in our kids futures continues with a new Medowie High School on its way, major upgrades to Hunter River High School underway and we\u2019re delivering a bigger and better hall for the Shoal Bay Public School students and families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re also backing Tomaree Lodge with more support to secure its future community use. It\u2019s a place with deep cultural and community value \u2013 and this funding ensures it will play a meaningful role in the life of our region for decades to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is a Budget that backs Port Stephens \u2013 investing in what matters, now and into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Minister for Roads and Regional Transport and Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Hunter is a fast-growing community that needs new and improved road links to bust congestion and improve safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis budget includes $35 million for the Thornton Bridge duplication for a total of $50 million combined with previous funds to get the project going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is on top of $100 million to deliver a Westbound Overpass on the New England Highway at Maitland, recently committed by the Albanese Labor Government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is on top of major Hunter Road projects such as the Singleton Bypass, the Muswellbrook Bypass, M1 to Raymond Terrace and Hexham Straight Widening and the Newcastle Inner City Bypass.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Minister for Women, Seniors, the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Member for Charlestown, Jodie Harrison said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis budget continues the work on building important infrastructure in the Hunter, including the John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct and social and affordable housing in the Charlestown electorate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTransport and road upgrades funded under this budget will also improve traffic flow and safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe NSW Government continues to invest in the future of local communities and ensuring better regional communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis Budget is focussed on building a future-ready Newcastle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe’re investing in our people and places – a modern learning space for Newcastle High School students, improved conditions for commuters along Hexham Straight and critical protection efforts to preserve Stockton Beach for generations to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Budget is preparing Newcastle to be the epicentre of the renewable energy revolution, from establishing a Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence to train our future workforce, to locking in vital local jobs at the Newcastle Logistics Precinct.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Member for Cessnock, Clayton Barr said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis budget delivers on key health infrastructure and projects including the Cessnock Hospital redevelopment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will continue to rebuild NSW through investment in education, with the continued delivery of a new preschool, primary school and high school in Huntlee, over 100 public preschools including 6 new preschools in the Cessnock Electorate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Duty MLC for the Upper Hunter, Emily Suvaal said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Budget delivers for the Upper Hunter – funding that speaks to who we are and what we value – strong hospitals, safer roads and quality education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re laying the foundations for stronger services, better facilities and a more connected region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen our communities speak, we listen and this funding reflects what matters most to people in the Upper Hunter.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The 2025-26 NSW Budget builds on the strong foundations the Minns Labor Government has laid since coming to office – continuing our plan to deliver better essential services, build the homes and infrastructure our growing state needs and invest in the future of the Hunter. This year\u2019s budget reflects a responsible and people-focused approach to … Continue reading “2025-26 Budget deliver for the Hunter”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-newcastle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33339"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33339\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33340,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33339\/revisions\/33340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}