Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart said the residents throughout the Heathcote electorate will be excited with the NSW Government’s 2023/24 budget.

We have listened and delivered on responsible budget repair, service delivery and addressing housing, health and education, ignored by the last 12 years under the former government.

Released today, the budget contains funding for projects and measures that will make an enormous difference to the lives of those in the Sutherland Shire and Illawarra regions.

Those projects include:

• $24.598 million for continued upgrades of Sutherland Hospital’s operating theatre complex
• $20 million over four years for a scoping study to investigate the extension of the Bulli Memorial Drive Bypass – including $1 million in 2023/24 for Wollongong City Council to investigate extension options
• $3 million towards the construction of a new police station at Helensburgh in 2023/24
• Funding for a new multi-purpose hall at Sutherland Public School
• $20 million for the Sutherland to Cronulla active transport link
• $4.2 million in 2023/24 to transfer wildlife corridors in Woronora Heights to National Parks and Wildlife Services
• $5 million over the next four years for refurbishments of fire stations
• $174,000 towards Engadine High School’s hall upgrade
• $15.5 million for a Rail Timetable Solution Program to improve the rail system
• $5 million of $180 million committed, to commence planning the duplication of Heathcote Road

Other notable projects that will benefit the Heathcote electorate include:

• $25 million for upgrades to Wollongong Hospital
• $4.3 million to deliver new and upgraded homes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the Aboriginal Housing Office
• $4.2 million for upgrades to the Police Dog Unit Command Facilities in Menai
• $2.4 million to upgrade the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre
• Almost $50,000 for the Illawarra Young Women’s Program

Quotes attributable to Maryanne Stuart, Member for Heathcote:

“This budget shows that when the NSW Minns Labor Government makes a promise, we keep it.

“Despite inheriting more $180 billion of debt and $7 billion in unfunded commitments from the former NSW Liberal-National Government, the Minns Government was still able to fund a variety of projects and measures throughout the Heathcote electorate.

“The Bulli Memorial Drive Bypass extension has been talked about for years, but no real action has been taken.

“That changed today when the Minns Government committed $20 million towards a scoping study to investigate the feasibility of this project.

“Further north, the Helensburgh community has been crying out for a new police station for as long as I can remember.

“However, $3 million in funding will ensure that project is one step closer to fruition.

“Upgrades to Heathcote Road will improve safety for motorists whilst upgrades to schools including Sutherland Public and Engadine High will make a huge difference for students, teachers and staff.

“This is a sensible, practical and responsible budget that delivers for Heathcote and cleans up the mess left by the former Liberal National Government.”

Also throughout the Heathcote electorate:

• At least 47 teachers and support staff will be made permanent
• Support up to 64,000 children with $500 of fee relief per child for 3-year-olds in long day care settings
• Provide wage rise for more than 2,500 public employees
• Provide energy relief for up to 9,420 eligible households