Small businesses in Western Sydney, as well as the rest of NSW, will benefit hugely from the raising of the payroll tax threshold from $750,000 to $850,000 (and $1M by 2021-22).
And with $95.9M going towards scaling up the Easy to do Business program, small business owners will find themselves faced with less red tape into the future.
With 100,000 free apprenticeships up for grabs and 20 per cent of the workforce on construction sites now to comprise apprentices, the government is looking after the workforce of the future.
“This Budget puts in motion our Government’s plan for Western Sydney to grow and grow well – building for the Western Sydney of tomorrow, while delivering for its people today,” NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said.
He cited a $3B reserve to “get the ball rolling” on the Sydney Metro West, an underground metro railway connecting Parramatta with the Sydney CBD, which Sydney Business Chamber Western Sydney Director David Borger said was “one of the most significant projects in the entire state”.
“The Western Line is bursting at the seams and is in need of some relief,” Mr Borger said.
“The new underground metro connecting the Sydney CBD to Parramatta to Westmead, via Sydney Olympic Park, is a vital project that will better connect Western Sydney residents to jobs.”
The Budget also includes $258M to start construction of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 and $20M for planning stage two of the project.
“It is good to see funding locked in for stage two of the Parramatta Light Rail as it will link Sydney Olympic Park to Parramatta and fix some of the connectivity and access issues
of Olympic Park,” Mr Borger said.
Mr Borger also welcomed the $740M allocated for expanding and upgrading Liverpool Hospital, which he said would see the area transformed into a leading health and innovation precinct.
“Liverpool is the gateway to Sydney’s south west and has massive potential, but it needs some attention. Identified by the Greater Sydney Commission as an innovation precinct, Liverpool will be able to cultivate knowledge jobs and attract workers to the region,” he said.
Mr Borger said expenditure of $240M in 2018-19 ($640 million total Government contribution) to relocate the Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta and expand storage at the Museum Discovery Centre was an important step in creating Parramatta as “the Central City that is at the heart of Greater Sydney”.
Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the 2018-19 Budget would continue to drive growth, create jobs and enhance opportunity for the more than two million people who call the region home.
Among the budget highlights for Western Sydney:
Health
Campbelltown Hospital redevelopment, including mental health and paediatric services - $632M.
Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospital redevelopment - $90M.
Nepean Hospital - $70M.
Health and Academic Precinct at Liverpool Hospital for health, education, research - $740M.
Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospital redevelopment - $90M.
Nepean Hospital - $70M.
Health and Academic Precinct at Liverpool Hospital for health, education, research - $740M.
Infrastructure
Sydney Metro Northwest - $2.4B.
Planning and procurement for Metro West to connect Parramatta to Sydney via Olympic Park - $3B.
Stage 1 of Parramatta Light Rail - $258M.
Planning for stage 2 of Parramatta Light Rail - $20M.
Develop final business case for North-South Rail Line to Western Sydney Airport - $35M.
Planning and procurement for Metro West to connect Parramatta to Sydney via Olympic Park - $3B.
Stage 1 of Parramatta Light Rail - $258M.
Planning for stage 2 of Parramatta Light Rail - $20M.
Develop final business case for North-South Rail Line to Western Sydney Airport - $35M.
Roads
Windsor Bridge over the Hawkesbury River, Windsor - $21.5M.
Upgrade of Jane Street and Mulgoa Road, Penrith - $19M.
Upgrade of Memorial Avenue from Old Windsor Road to Windsor Road - $22M.
Upgrade of Mulgoa Road between Blaikie Road and M4 - $10.5M.
Planning and business case for New Hawkesbury River crossing, Richmond - $7M.
Windsor Bridge over the Hawkesbury River, Windsor - $21.5M.
Upgrade of Jane Street and Mulgoa Road, Penrith - $19M.
Upgrade of Memorial Avenue from Old Windsor Road to Windsor Road - $22M.
Upgrade of Mulgoa Road between Blaikie Road and M4 - $10.5M.
Planning and business case for New Hawkesbury River crossing, Richmond - $7M.
Leisure
Western Sydney Stadium - $183.7M.
Relocation of Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta and expand storage at the Museum Discovery Centre - $240M.
Western Sydney Parklands park improvements - $5.6M
Western Sydney Stadium - $183.7M.
Relocation of Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta and expand storage at the Museum Discovery Centre - $240M.
Western Sydney Parklands park improvements - $5.6M
Emergency services and justice
Mount Druitt Police Station - $14.5M.
Police Citizens Youth Club in Hawkesbury.
Redevelopment of Parramatta Police Station.
Mount Druitt Police Station - $14.5M.
Police Citizens Youth Club in Hawkesbury.
Redevelopment of Parramatta Police Station.
