NSW is bolstering regional communities by legislating a $4.15bn Snowy fund for only regional NSW, and supporting education, road, freight and health infrastructure.
There will be continued large hospital upgrades at Tweed Heads, Lismore and Wagga, but smaller hospitals such as at Scone, Inverell and Gloucester will receive new funding. Griffith will get $6m as part of its Base hospital upgrade. The government is funding nearly 900 new teacher positions but it is not known yet how many of these positions will be in regional NSW. There will also be 300 more doctors and 1000 new nurse and midwives positions.
Training is one of the big intiatives in the NSW Budget, with 100,000 fee free apprenticeships announced, but it is unclear how many of these will be through the TAFE system, which has suffered severe cuts over the last five years.
The Government is building on the back of the Federal inland rail project by funding new country rail upgrades that feed into the north-south corridor. An additional $40m will be spent on sealing the Cobb and Silver City highways, to be completed by 2023.
The Government will continue its part of funding the Pacific Highway with another $1.2 billion, with planning for a Coffs Harbour Bypass.
There will be $119 million for road safety and productivity in regional NSW.
There will be $84 million for the New England Highway, including the Scone Bypass. There will be $81m for Bridges for the Bush program, with new bridges at Gunnedah, Barrington and on the Nerriga Road near Braidwood.
The Newell Highway also gets funding with $62m to fast track overtaking lanes, and funding for planning of a new Dubbo Bridge.
Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said: "From the city to the bush we're sharing the wealth so all regions continue to thrive. We will seal all highways in the regions."
The Government will legislate its windfall from the sale of the NSW share of the Snowy Hydro to the Federal Government. The $4.15 billion in funds will be enshrined in legislation and will be known as the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund. The Government has promised the funds will be reserved for regional and southern NSW.
Deputy NSW Premier John Barilaro said the Fund would be invested in "visionary projects".
"We said every cent of the full value of the Snowy deal would go to rural and regional NSW, and today we confirm that commitment through legislation," Mr Barilaro said.
Mr Barilaro also announced $40m for scoping studies into potential projects including inland ports and national and international freight services.
Families will win with a new baby bundle, a package of baby goodies including practical items that according to Treasurer Dominic Perrottet will give parents "confidence and comfort. It's a bundle of care for your bundle of joy".
Families will also get a $100 Creative Kids rebate, mirroring last year's Active Kids rebate. The money can be reclaimed towards the cost of "registration, participation or tuition fees for creative and cultural activities such as music lessons, language classes, coding and digital, visual and performing arts".