Engineers are set to play a key role in the roll out of some of NSW’s big spending infrastructure commitments outlined in the state’s budget.
The NSW Treasurer’s second opportunity to shape the state’s finances saw an overall allocation of $86.4 billion over the next four years.
Treasurer Mookhey’s headline announcement was the $6.6 billion investment in the Building Homes for NSW program. This will help pay for the construction of 8400 homes, including 6200 new dwellings and 2200 replacements of existing stock. 30000 public homes will be fixed in what is being described as the single largest investment in public housing maintenance in NSW history.
In transport, big ticket items include $20.1 billion over four years for the Sydney Metro and $4.2 billion for the Western Harbour Tunnel.
Existing road projects will continue to receive funding including a combined $1.4 billion over four years to the Pacific Highway Corridor M1-to Raymond Terrace and Hexham Straight Widening, $926 million over four years for the Pacific Highway Corridor – Coffs Harbour Bypass.
Social infrastructure funding included $9.5 billion capital expenditure for education infrastructure over the next four years to FY2027-28. The Budget sets out $13.4 billion for hospital and health infrastructure over the next four years.
Engineering and infrastructure investment go hand in hand and Engineers Australia welcomes the supply opportunity this creates for the engineering profession as we seek to turn plans into reality.
Our current engineering labour workforce in NSW is approaching 140,000, or a third of the national capability, and we know that we’ll need to find more engineers to get the job done.
Sydney Division General Manager Jamie Burrage noted, the nation’s engine room is NSW and our economy depends on engineering heavy contributions through the private sector.
“State government spending is an important player in this stimulus and we’ll continue our work with our members, with government, and industry to ensure the creation of infrastructure brings lasting benefits for communities right across NSW.”