Neither planning nor construction will start on the highly anticipated Unanderra train station lifts next financial year.
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None of the promised $20 million for the lifts was allocated in this year's state budget handed down on Tuesday.
During the election campaign, Kiama MP Gareth Ward and the Liberal government promised to fund the lifts so train users could easily access both platforms.
Commuters will have to wait years for construction to start despite artist impressions of the lifts being released earlier this year.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet's third budget did not announce any new major infrastructure projects for the Illawarra.
There was however significant cash spending to continue construction of already-announced road, school and hospital upgrades in the region.
"Our infrastructure investment is now approaching $100 billion," Mr Perrottet said.
"Today I can announce a projected operating surplus for 2018-19 of $802 million and average surpluses of $1.7 billion each year to 2023.
"[It's] a new golden century for New South Wales.
"This is a state building budget that stays the course in the face of economic headwinds, because it is built on the foundation of eight years of strong financial management."
Mr Perrottet said the government was moving from a planning to delivery phase for projects around the state.
However, planning is still under way for Princes Highway upgrades, which is the major project for the Illawarra and Shoalhaven in this budget.
As announced in the Mercury on Monday, $322 million over four years will be spent as part of an additional $960 million commitment to upgrades between Nowra and the Victorian border to improve safety, journey times and freight efficiency.
Of that money, $7.1 million will be spent next financial year.
Mr Ward said "it was great to see the state budget delivering again for our region".
"Nothing is more emblematic of how we're changing our region than our historic Highway investments that are making a huge difference," he said.
The budget also includes $168.5 million to continue construction of the Albion Park Rail bypass and $150 million to continue the Berry to Bomaderry upgrades. Both projects are due for completion in 2022.
In the health sector, $55.9 million will be allocated in 2019-20 as part of the $378.6 million Shellharbour Hospital redevelopment stage one project, expected to be completed in 2025.
The Bulli Hospital Aged Care Centre of Excellence will be completed with $9 million spent next financial year.
The only funding for Wollongong Hospital was $477,000 for a car park, which was first started in 2012 and is due to be finished next year.
The Garrawarra Centre Residential Aged Care Facility in Waterfall will receive $177,00 for a new bus and equipment.
Wollongong Public School will be allocated $4.6 million in 2019-20 for upgrades.
In the next four years Kiama commuter car park will be converted into an Opal Park and Ride car park in an attempt to keep spaces available for public transport users.
At the northern end of the Illawarra, Engadine will get more commuter car park spaces and a Service NSW centre before 2023.
Funding has also been allocated to continue the delivery of "more frequent, and reliable rail services to customers on the Illawarra, Airport and South Coast lines" and the Illawarra will eventually see the roll out of the New Intercity Fleet.
Mr Perrottet said this budget was about "giving back" to the community.
Households will benefit from more cost saving measures like doubling the $100 Active Kids Rebate voucher and the new $50 weekly Opal Travel cap.
The government will also deliver on its election commitment to add 4,600 teachers, 5,000 nurses and midwives, 3,300 more health professionals and 1,500 police.
The exact allocation of employees to regions is yet to be finalised.