While the South Coast and Illawarra will get millions in funding in the state budget, much of it will go to projects already underway, with some missing out altogether.
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This spending comes as the state records a $6.9 billion deficit, which is expected to blow out to $16 billion next year and not return to the black for at least four years.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet handed down his budget on Tuesday, one year to the day the first case of COVID-19 was identified in China.
That started "a year that will be forever etched in our memories", he said.
"Today we deliver a budget to build on our response so far," Mr Perrottet said.
Read more: Tax cuts, food vouchers in virus budget
"A budget to keep our people safe today and create the jobs we need right now. But a crisis doesn't change our ultimate responsibility of leaving this state a better place than we found it.
"So this is a budget equally focused on reform - to forge a brighter future for our people. This budget is our plan for a prosperous, post-pandemic NSW."
The budget papers predicted a deficit will remain until the 2024-25 budget, after which time a surplus is expected.
Among the new projects in the budget is $14 million for a major upgrade of Dapto Public School.
Other schools will also receive funding - Wollongong Public ($3.1 milllion), Gwynneville Public ($920,000), while $47 million will go towards Picton High School.
The early stages of the already announced Shellharbour Hospital will receive $10.1 million, while the Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment will be handed $4 million.
Earlier this month Transport and Roads Minister Andrew Constance announced plans to duplicate Picton Road between the M1 Princes Motorway and the Hume Motorway.
The budget included $2 million to commence planning of improvements to that road.
The Albion Park Rail bypass - due to open in the middle of 2021 - will get $148.2 million to complete the work.
Further south, the Princes Highway upgrade between Berry and Bomaderry will receive $102.5 million, while $3.1 million has been allocated to continue planning for Jervis Bay Road intersection on the Princes Highway.
No specific funding was allocated for the Mt Ousley interchange.
The accessibility of Unanderra and Towradgi train stations will be funded under the $243 milllion allocated to the Transport Access Program - as will the planning work for Dapto and Bellambi stations.
The St George Illawarra Dragons' Sydney home ground of Jubilee Oval will get $3 million to develop a business case for an upgrade.
But no funding was earmarked for an upgrade of the Wollongong Entertainment Centre.
The government will also establish Project Remediate to remove combustible cladding - which includes some buildings in the Illawarra - with the budget allocating $139 million in funds.
The Illawarra will also benefit from the $500 million Out & About program, which will see NSW residents get four $25 digital vouchers to spend in businesses.
Two vouchers can be used for eating in venues like restaurants and cafes, while the other two are for cultural institutions like theatres, cinemas and amusement parks.
A pilot program will be run in the Sydney CBD next month before rolling it out across the state in early 2021.
The government will also look to end stamp duty on housing, replacing it with a smaller annual property tax.
What we will get
HEALTH
- $10.1 million for Shellharbour Hospital redevelopment
- $4 million for the Shoalhaven Hospital redevelopment
EDUCATION
- $14 million for a major upgrade of Dapto Public School
- $3.1 million for upgrades to Wollongong Public School
- $912,000 for upgrades to Gwynneville Public School
- $46 million for Picton High School
ROADS
- $148.2 million for the Albion Park Rail Bypass
- $2 million for planning work for the duplication of Picton Road
- $97 million for the new Shoalhaven River crossing
- $102.5 million for Berry to Bomaderry Princes Highway upgrade
- $3.1 million to continue planning for Jervis Bay Road intersection on the Princes Highway
RAIL
- $335 milllion for the New Intercity Fleet
- $5.8 million to continue planning for a rail capacity increase between Kiama and Bomaderry
LAW
- $4.8 million for the relocation of the Wollongong office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
SPORT
- $3 million for business case to upgrade Dragons home ground Jubilee Avenue. Kogarah
GENERAL
- $50 million for a new round of Resources for Regions.
- $139 million to co-ordinate remediation for buildings with combustible cladding
The story State budget 2020: What the Illawarra will (and won't) get first appeared in the Illawarra Mercury.
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