The NSW Budget 2021-2022 announced on Tuesday, June 22 held no surprises for the Myall Lakes electorate.
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However, Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead declared the Myall Lakes as a "massive winner" in a media release following the announcement of the budget.
Manning Base Hospital has been allocated $8.6 million in the budget for the stage two upgrade of the hospital. This amount is part of $100 million promised for the upgrade, with $1.5 million of that amount being delivered in the 2020-2021 budget. In November 2020, Mr Bromhead confirmed the remaining $98.5 million "would be delivered in the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 budgets. This leaves $89.9 million of the promised $100 million to be delivered in the 2022-2023 budget.
Mr Bromhead's press release said one of the highlights of the budget was that the proposed Forster Public Hospital was "in budget documents", however there was no money allocated in the budget for the proposed hospital. On November 13, 2020, Mr Bromhead announced that Forster-Tuncurry would be one of four hospitals to share in a $7.9 million pool of planning money in the 2020-2021 budget, however no dollar amount was forthcoming.
Mr Bromhead's list of 2021-2022 budget wins included more than $9 million for the Taree Northern Gateway roundabout, however upon questioning it was revealed this figure was already part of the $15 million announced in the 2019-2020 budget.
Other items listed by Mr Bromhead's office as being highlights were:
- $2.267 million for continued upgrades at Taree Railway Station
- $12.5 million for MidCoast Council to undertake local road improvements
- $100 Learn to Swim vouchers for children aged three to six
The NSW government is being widely criticised for a disappointing response to housing affordability and the housing crisis affecting many regional areas. Mr Bromhead said Myall Lakes would be receiving $1.7 million for new supply of social housing as part of a $2.4 million commitment. Mr Bromhead's office confirmed there are three developments of dual occupancy in our region, with one due to be completed in August 2021 and the other two in January 2022.
For more information on the 2021-2022 NSW Budget visit budget.nsw.gov.au.
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