The Minns Labor Government is investing in the future of the Hunter and its people with the 2023-24 Budget boosting essential services, supporting education, ensuring people get the healthcare they need and building and maintaining roads.
Educating future generations of students is the greatest investment a government can make, that’s why this Budget is investing in teachers, new schools, maintenance and early learning environments.
More than six thousand teachers across the Hunter will receive their biggest pay increase in almost three decades and more than a thousand education staff will be made permanent, giving to workers, families and communities.
Funding for game-changing road projects will get traffic flowing, people moving and deliver critical repairs such as fixing potholes.
Labor’s $86 million regional road upgrade package will benefit people across the Hunter, including residents of Muswellbrook, Singleton, Dungog, Mid Coast, Maitland, Cessnock, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and Upper Hunter LGAs.
It includes improving the Golden Highway, particularly around Merriwa where the roads are congested and safety improvements along the Nelson Bay Road between Williamtown and Bob’s Farm.
Further, the Minns Labor Government is committed to providing quality and accessible healthcare across the Hunter. Investments in local hospitals will help ensure communities can access their essential services now, and when they need them in the future.
This Budget makes significant progress towards fulfilling our election commitments, including:
- The new Medowie High School
- Planning for Huntlee High School
- Restore John Hunter Hospital shuttle bus from McDonald Jones Stadium
- $3 million to Dungog Council
- $950,000 for a separated cycleway at Islington
$3.6 million for local commitments including:
- $300,000 to support services for vulnerable residents in Port Stephens
- $236,000 for new playgrounds across Lake Macquarie
- $200,000 for youth mental health initiatives and support at Singleton Neighbourhood Centre
- Up to $174,000 to local council for flood lighting at Blacksmiths Oval
- $140,000 to Charlestown Caring Group for a new bus
- $100,000 to Hunter Flood Relief/Cessnock Uniting Church for new homeless facilities
- $100,000 to Early Links, Ashtonfield to support cooking classes for people with a disability
- Investments in local Surf Lifesaving Clubs across Swansea and Newcastle
