Cash will be splashed across the Illawarra and South Coast to start the regions' major road and hospital projects, or keep those already under way moving - but this year's NSW budget bag of cash was empty when it came to spending on new infrastructure.
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It was dubbed by Treasurer Dominic Perrottet budget that "shows the conservative heart". However, Illawarra residents won't necessarily be feeling the love - thanks to what was a conservative approach to a fresh wave of projects in the region.
While Mr Perrottet delivered plenty of pre-election sweeteners in his second budget - the last before voters head to the polls in March - the region was short-changed when it came to spending on new infrastructure.
Illawarra parliamentary secretary Gareth Ward had vowed prior to Tuesday's release that the budget would "bring home the bacon" and start long-awaited projects. That might have been the case, but with a budget that leaked like a colander in the lead up, most of the spending was already known - and for already announced projects.
As previously revealed by the Mercury, this year's budget set aside cash in 2018-19 to begin construction of the Albion Park Rail bypass ($65.6 million), money to continue the Shellharbour Hospital redevelopment ($30 million) and the funds to finalise planning work for the new Nowra bridge. The state government has matched the commitment of its Commonwealth counterpart, reserving $155 million in the Restart NSW fund for the new Shoalhaven River crossing.
The budget papers stated just $5 million has been spent on the Shellharbour Hospital upgrade - worth an estimated total cost of $250.6 million - to date, with completion expected in 2022.
The documents also showed 2022 completion dates for both the Albion Park Rail bypass and the Berry to Bomaderry Princes Highway upgrade, which have total estimated costs of $630 million and $450 million, respectively. That money forms part of a record $87.2 billion infrastructure investment over the next four years.
Read more: How the NSW Budget shafted Wollongong
The budget revealed $60.7 million has been spent on the Albion Park Rail bypass project so far, with $65.4 million worth of expenditure to date on the Princes Highway duplication between Berry and Bomaderry.
The road upgrades were among an number of continuing projects mentioned in this year's budget. Every Illawarra project mentioned on a region-specific budget sell from the Illawarra's parliamentary secretary, Gareth Ward, had been previously announced.
Also previously-flagged was the lack on money for the installation of lifts at an upgraded Unanderra train station - despite a $132.9 million spend on the government's Transport Access Program in 2018-19.
The government's budget sell also included a mention of funding to continue upgrades at Gwynneville, Dapto and Wollongong public schools.
However, the documents revealed nothing about the start/completion dates, estimated total costs or 2018-19 funding allocation for any of the projects. Work on the upgrades at Dapto and Wollongong public schools are due to begin in 2018-19, the budget papers said, along the planning of a new school at Wilton Junction. The Gwynneville public school fix is listed as an "ongoing project".
More generally, Illawarra parents and carers will be among the big winners -thanks to new cost of living assistance outlined by Mr Perrottet.
A new Creative Kids Rebate will give families a $100 voucher, per school aged child, for extra-curricular activities such as music, drama, visual and performing arts, coding and language classes.
"We know this won’t cover all the costs. But we want to open up a world of opportunity for our kids," Mr Perrottet said.
"Giving more parents - and more children - the encouragement they need to reach their potential."
Elsewhere, additional money was allocated to ongoing M1 Princes Motorway improvements, including $3 million to continue planning work for the interchange at the base of Mount Ousley.
There was just over $10 million in additional money for WIN Stadium's northern grandstand.
Additional money was also allocated to continue the expansion of the South Coast Correctional Centre, where 360 additional beds are being added to the existing facility.
Heating, ventilation and air-condiitoning works will be done at Nowra police station thanks to a $600,000 allocation in 2018-19, while $3.3 million will be spent this coming financial year to complete the new Bay and Basin police station at Vincentia.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
