2009 State Budget

There were some substantial wins for the Hunter region in the State Budget, with investment in jobs, schools, hospitals, roads and housing the big-ticket items. The Budget includes funding for:

• $50 million for the $1.7 billion Hunter Expressway (remaining funds to follow in the next few years);
• $4.26 million for the $7 million upgrade of Floraville Public School, Belmont;
• $2.3 million for the $8.8 million Hamilton TAFE Block A refurbishment;
• $10.65 million to complete the $27.5 million Berth 4 at Newcastle Port;
• $3.2 million for the planned construction of a new Pilot Station Ports Centre;
• $2.5 million for a new Pilot Cutter Vessel;
• $820,000 to renew fenders at Kooragang No 3 Berth;
• $22.7 million for 83 new public and community homes;
• Health services and infrastructure increases of $90.4 million, bringing investment in health services in Hunter New England to $1.27 billion, including $8.2 million for the $10 million Maitland Hospital Emergency Department and $6.8 million for the $8.9 million 20-bed unit at James Fletcher Hospital;
• $29.8 million for the $60 million upgrade of the Western Grandstand at Energy Australia Stadium;
• $15 million for remediation works at the Mayfield Intertrade Industrial Park;
• $9.1 million for two new police stations at Raymond Terrace and Glendale;
• $3 million for the Hunter Advantage Fund targeting 'green' and 'smart' jobs in the region;
• $75 million for new power sub stations at Jesmond, Adamstown, Kurri Kurri, Raymond Terrace, Scone, Tomaree, Rathmines and Mayfield West;
• $9 million towards the $15 million investigation into the North Strathfield to Broadmeadow Rail Freight Corridor Project;
• $181.7 million for water and wastewater infrastructure;
• $17.4 million to improve passenger information services at CityRail's Hunter stations; and
• $250,000 to identify 'green' job opportunities for the Hunter under the 'Blueprint for a low carbon future for the NSW Hunter Valley' project.