NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and Treasurer Mike Baird said the 2011-2012 Budget delivers getting on with the job of improving services, building infrastructure and protecting the State’s.

Within the budget about 4000 extra frontline staff has been promised to the State’s hospitals, schools and police stations over the next five years.

The budget also delivers infrastructure commitment, totalling $62.6 billion over the next four years and nearly $7 billion more on infrastructure in its first four years than the last four years of Labor – an increase of more than 12 per cent.

 

The value of major new health projects commencing this year is over $1.3 billion, with around 45 per cent of this expenditure in rural and regional areas.

 

To address the state’s ailing infrastructure, $6.3 billion has also been allocated to transport and roads ($3.2 billion has been committed for roads this year).

 

This funding will meet election commitments to address road blackspots and congestion, the upgrading of the Princes Highway and a billion dollar commitment to the Pacific Highway.

 

More than $600 million dollars has also been committed to the North West and South West Rail links to fast-track the projects.

 

Other key 2011-12 budget infrastructure investments and initiatives includes; establishment of Infrastructure NSW to improve the way infrastructure is

assessed and delivered; $70 million over five years to address the local government infrastructure backlog; $350 million over four years to establish the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund; and legislation has been passed to establish Restart NSW (the NSW Government’s key infrastructure fund).

 

Mr O’Farrell said the government plans to deliver $1.4 billion in new growth funding for disability services – under the five year $2 billion, ‘Stronger Together II’ program.

 

This budget has also delivered the largest increase in funding for mental health in the State’s history, with a $1.34 billion funding commitment for mental health services in 2011-12, an increase of $109 million - or 8.8 per cent - on last year.

 

Within the budget, the government has also released NSW 2021, a 10 year plan setting priorities for action and guiding resource allocation within the state.

 

NSW 2021 contains 32 goals and 180 targets to drive action, based around five strategies; Rebuild the Economy - restore economic growth and establish NSW as the first place in Australia to do business; Return Quality Services - provide the best transport, health, education, police, justice and family services, with a focus on customer needs; Renovate Infrastructure - build infrastructure that drives our economy and improves people’s lives; Strengthen our Local Environment and Communities - improve people’s lives by protecting natural environments and building a strong sense of community; and Restore Accountability to Government – strengthen trust in public institutions, return planning powers to the community and give people a say on decisions that affect them.

 

Urban Taskforce CEO, Aaron Gadiel told Government News the NSW Government was taking “tentative steps” towards helping the state become prosperous.

 

Mr Gadiel said the government’s plan to get rid of stamp duty for all except first home owners that build new property or purchase a house off the plan, will contribute to property development in the state.

 

He said NSW’s growth was much slower than that of any other state, except South Australia and Sydney also had a slow growing population, despite myths of overpopulation.

 

“Without growth there’s little revenue going back into the state,” Mr Gadiel said.

 

“Lack of growth has been hampering investment of infrastructure and that’s why there are heavy demands on resources.”