BY JARROD MELMETH






In her second budget, NSW Treasurer Gladys Berekijlian has delivered a $3.5 billion surplus with Newcastle and the Hunter receiving over $255 million. $142 million of that will go towards the construction of Newcastle’s Light Rail.







Key highlights from the 2016-17 budget for the Hunter include:


  • $142 million for Newcastle Light Rail.

  • $35 million for Cormorant Road, Industrial Drive to Stockton Bridge works.

  • $29 million to deal with mining voids in Newcastle, developing a new Muswellbrook sewerage treatment plant, redevelopment of the Maitland Sports ground complex and the Newcastle cruise terminal.

  • $18 million for the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund.

  • $14 million for freight rail between Hexam and Fassifern.

  • $10.3 million to complete the final stages of the John Hunter Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

  • $7 million to continue planning for M1 extension to Raymond Terrace.

  • $6.2 million for the NSW Government response to the Williamtown Royal Australian Air Fore Base Contamination

  • $6.2 million for planning and site preparation for the new Maitland Hospital.

  • $5 million to continue the Newcastle Inner City Bypass project.

  • $3.8 million for upgrades of the TAFE Hunter Institute Newcastle Campus Block D.



The surplus is expected rise to 3.7 billion on the back of sales including the $1.7 billion lease of the Port of Newcastle and other assets from the Hunter.


Gladys Berekijlian. Photo Courtesy of The Newcastle Herald.