Housing, TAFE, arts budget boosts as state growth slows
THE FIGURES
NSW state economy - $880 billion
Growth in 2025/26 - 1.75 per cent (stable)
Revenue - $124.2b (up 5.1 per cent)
Expenses - $127.6b (up 3.0)
Budget result - $3.4b deficit
Gross debt - $178.8 billion
Unemployment rate - 4.25 per cent (up from 4.0 per cent)
BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENTS
HOUSING
* An Australian-first $1 billion pre-sale fund to help get 15,000 low- and medium-density homes off the ground
* $145 million across four years for the state's Building Commission to hire more prosecutors, investigators and inspectors to weed out dodgy residential builds
* $30.4 million crisis intervention package for homelessness services
* Extension of build-to-rent tax concessions beyond slated 2039 end date
COMMUNITIES
* $1.2 billion on child protection, including substantial boost for foster carer allowances
* $110 million to maintain public spaces, including the repair of heritage-listed Pyrmont Bridge and maintenance of fire trails
* Commonwealth Veteran Card holders will receive free vehicle entry to all NSW National Parks
* $25.8 million to support community sport
* $6 million for animal rehoming organisations
ARTS
* Establishment of a $100 million fund to find a suitable location for a second major film studio in Sydney
* $280.6 million in rebates for the screen and digital games sector
* $40.6 million for 24-hour Commissioner and Sound NSW
TRANSPORT:
* $452 million to increase bus services, including 50 new "bendy" buses and more regular school bus services in outer Sydney and regional areas
* Road upgrades and new signage around Western Sydney Airport and $250 million to finish the widening of Mona Vale Rd, a critical artery in north Sydney.
* Major road upgrades in Dapto and Queanbeyan and repairs in flood-affected Hunter and Northern Rivers
EDUCATION:
* $9 billion across four years for public school infrastructure, largely focused on growing suburban communities
* $3.4 billion towards TAFE and upskilling, including $40 million to enable 23,000 construction students to complete their apprenticeships for free
HEALTH:
* Another $700 million towards construction of the $2 billion Bankstown Hospital and relocation of Bankstown TAFE
* A statewide pathology hub to be established at Westmead, with the $492 million investment to include an upgrade to a high-security lab researching dangerous pathogens such as Ebola and measles
* $23 million to cut down the overdue surgery list by 3500
* $83 million to bolster maternity care
ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS
* $202 million for Closing the Gap projects, including $23 million towards community-led suicide prevention programs
LAW AND ORDER:
* $125.8 million for cybersecurity and hardware upgrades to NSW Police
* $227 million across five years to help victims of violent crime access counselling
* About $100 million to upgrade the state's busiest courthouse and employ more prosecutors, solicitors and witness assistance officers
INNOVATION AND BUSINESS:
* $80 million in innovation funding, including $38.5 million to boost technology hub TechCentral
* A four-person Investment Delivery Authority to fast-track planning approvals for billion-dollar projects
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