The Mercury can reveal specific monetary figures will be included in NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet’s second budget – the last cash splash before next year’s state election – for the long-awaited Albion Park Rail bypass, as well as the highly-anticipated Shellharbour Hospital upgrade. 

Parliamentary secretary for the Illawarra, and Kiama MP, Gareth Ward said this year’s budget would include $65.6 million for the Albion Park Rail bypass and $30 million for the Shellharbour Hospital redevelopment. 

“This is the budget that brings home the bacon,” Mr Ward told the Mercury.

“This is the budget that starts two major projects that will change the region and make people’s lives better.”

The hospital upgrade has a total price tag of $251 million, while the design and construction work of the Princes Highway bypass at Albion Park Rail has an estimated cost of $630 million.

Not all of the money will be forthcoming in the 2018-19 financial year, with cash allocated to projects as required.

The bypass cash in this year’s budget forms part of an overall multimillion-dollar spend on Princes Highway upgrades.

More than $1 billion will eventually be spent on the Albion Park Rail bypass, the Berry to Bomaderry Princes Highway upgrade (worth $450 million) and replacing the Batemans Bay bridge ($250 million).

“It starts all of those contributions … the commitment that we’re starting in this budget will total $1.5 billion,” Mr Ward said. 

Meanwhile, money will also be allocated in 2018-19 for the new Nowra bridge, ahead of a further NSW government contribution that would see the long-awaited Shoalhaven River crossing built.

A total of $15.3 million will be spent in the coming financial year to complete the project’s planning work.

The state government has entered into a funding agreement with its Commonwealth counterpart, with a commitment to match the $155 million allocated in this year’s federal budget.