The second budget of the Minns Government is headlined by $22.09 billion to build and improve the state’s transport network with significant commitments to transport infrastructure and services. This supports the NSW Government’s $119.4 billion Essential Infrastructure Plan of which $62.9 billion is set aside for the transport sector over the next four years.
Major Sydney road projects
Earlier this month the NSW Government made a pre-budget commitment of more than $1 billion for Western Sydney roads. The Western Sydney roads package is designed to meet population demand and better connect communities to the Western Sydney International Airport, due to open in 2026. In partnership with the Commonwealth, investments in this Budget include the $800 million Elizabeth Drive Stage 1 and the $1 billion Mamre Road Stage 2 between Erskine Park and Kemps Creek.
Funding is included in the Budget for a range of further Sydney road projects to support urban growth including:
- $129m for Mulgoa Road Stage 1
- $225m for Mulgoa Road Stage 2
- $151.3m for The Horsley Drive
- $147.2m for Appin Road upgrades
- $102.6m for Spring Farm Parkway Stage 1
Regional roads funding
The Budget includes $3.3 billion to rebuild road and transport infrastructure impacted by recent natural disasters across regional communities.
$128.5 million is set aside to support the transport of Renewable Energy Zone components along the Golden Highway as the state transitions to a more sustainable future of energy generation and supply.
The NSW and Commonwealth Governments are jointly funding a range of major regional road projects including:
- $1.4 billion for construction of the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension and Hexham Straight widening projects
- $1.1 billion to progress Princes Highway projects including construction of the Milton Ulladulla bypass, Jervis Bay Road intersection upgrade and Jervis Bay Road to Hawken Road upgrade
- $926 million for construction of the Coffs Harbour Bypass
- $868.4 million for New England Highway upgrades including construction of the Singleton bypass, planning work for the Goonoo Goonoo Road upgrade in Tamworth and further planning for Muswellbrook
- $432.2 million for Newell Highway upgrade projects including construction of the Parkes Bypass and new Dubbo Bridge
Road Safety
In conjunction with the Commonwealth, the Budget features $2.8 billion in funding to improve road safety across the state over the next four years. This funding will support commitments in the state’s 2026 Road Safety Action Plan which aims to halve deaths and reduce serious injuries by 2030 and sets the aspirational target of zero fatalities or serious injuries on NSW roads by 2050.
The NSW Government will double roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, remove a loophole to ensure motorists driving on a foreign license must convert to a NSW license within six months and the introduction of seatbelt enforcement by existing mobile phone detection cameras.
$70 million is included to remove level crossings along the Inland Rail route and $28.6 million will be put towards upgrading 13 heavy vehicle rest stops across the state.
Transport infrastructure
The Budget includes commitments announced earlier in the month including $2.1 billion to ensure construction of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will begin in this term of government. The funding will connect Western Sydney communities along a 12km alignment which is set aside to comprise 14 new stops, new river crossings and a dedicated 8.5km active transport corridor.
$5.5 billion has been allocated to the Sydney Metro-Western Sydney Airport project for six new stations to service the future Western Sydney International Airport and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
$13.4 billion is committed to the delivery of Sydney Metro West, expected to double the rail capacity between Parramatta and Sydney CBD.
Bus services
While significant funding for transport infrastructure continues to dominate the Budget, funding has also been allocated for bus services across NSW including:
- $24.7 million to boost bus services across Western Sydney
- $23.8 million for a State-Wide Medium Term Bus Plan
- $91 million for a new Bus Management System
The Bus Management System will be designed to address “ghost buses” by improving the reliability of bus services with more accurate information about the location and on-time running of buses in real-time.
Over the next four years the Budget also includes $1.9 billion for zero emission buses, a crucial step in decarbonising public transport across the state.