Overall, the Coalition has committed to spend $20 billion, on infrastructure over the next 10 years, of which $8.9 billion will go towards urban public transport (including $7 billion for Sydney Rapid Transit); $4.1 billion will be used for regional transport; $2 billion will be invested in schools and hospitals; $1.2 billion will be pledged to a Sport and Cultural Fund; and $1.1 billion will go towards the WestConnex northern and southern extensions and the new Western Harbour Tunnel.

The Labor Party has committed an additional $10.05 billion on top of $15 billion already allocated for infrastructure in the state’s budget. A total of $5.13 billion of this funding will be spent over the next 10 years. Of the total funds, $3 billion will be dedicated for health and education; $2.057 billion for roads; $1 billion for rail; $1.576 billion for regional development; $1.472 billion, for Western Sydney infrastructure (including $1 billion for Western Sydney light rail); and $950 million for arts, sports, tourism and environmental infrastructure. A further $810 million will be reserved for developments in the Hunter region.

To keep you up to date, ICN sister publication CIN has compiled a list of the Coalition and Labor Party promises on construction and infrastructure. The list will be updated as additional announcements are made.

CIN contacted the Coalition and Labor Party twice to discuss these commitments, but at the time of going to press neither party has responded.

To add to the commitments, please email conrad.bem@aspermont.com

Coalition promises

• $1 billion for up to 1600 new and refurbished classrooms and learning spaces.
• $400 million for Central Coast roads, including $126 million for Pacific Highway duplication at Lisarow.
• $307 million for St George Hospital. This will deliver a new seven-storey acute services building, which includes extra operating theatres and a sterilising services department.
• $300 million over 10 years for road upgrades in Sydney’s south to resolve congestion.
• $300 million to continue the redevelopment of Campbelltown Hospital. The upgrades will include improvements to the emergency department, new operating theatres and an expansion of the intensive care unit.
• $273 million for roads in the Hunter region.
• $251 million for a redevelopment of Shellharbour Hospital including an expansion of emergency department capacity and a doubling of the current operating theatre size.
• $148 million to upgrade nearly 60 secondary schools.
• $100 million to improve services for Parramatta River ferry services, including wharf upgrades.
• $60 million to redevelop Mudgee Hospital.
• $25 million to start construction of the new Maitland Hospital.
• $20 million to upgrade the Mount Druitt Hospital, included in the current $400 million allocated to the stage 2 redevelopment of the Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital. It will include the fit-out and commissioning of an additional operating theatre and a new 12-chair community renal dialysis centre.
• $18 million to continue the upgrade to the John Hunter Children’s Hospital neonatal intensive care unit.
• $300 million for a new hospital at Rouse Hill.
• $500 million for a major redevelopment of the Prince of Wales Hospital. The work will include a new emergency department, new operating theatres and a dedicated mental health precinct for the site.
• $57.4 million as part of a $115 million upgrade to Taronga Zoo’s visitor experience program. This includes a number of new animal exhibits and upgrades to roads and utilities throughout the zoo.

Labor promises

• $3.4 billion for a second rail crossing for Sydney Harbour. Construction is slated to begin in 2021-2022.
• $667 million over 10 years to deliver roads around Badgerys Creek Airport. This is part of a commitment from the Federal Labor Party if it wins power at the next Federal Election totalling $3.5 billion.
• $430 million to redevelop Westmead Hospital, including a new emergency department, up to 14 new operating theatres and new beds.
• $400 million to establish co-located “one stop shop” regional healthcare services.
• $386 million to redevelop Gosford Hospital, including a new emergency department, expanded intensive care unit, improved operating theatre and maternity services.
• $351 million to redevelop Nepean Hospital, including four new operating theatres and an enhanced emergency department. An total of $4 million has been allocated for planning works to start.
• $332 million for the redevelopment of Concord Hospital, including a new Concord Cancer Centre as well as up to four new operating theatres and up to four new general wards.
• $300 million to upgrade St George Hospital, including adding extra storeys above the emergency department and expanding capacity of the operating theatre.
• $241 million for Central Coast infrastructure, including a $100 million upgrade of the Pacific Highway.
• $211 million for the redevelopment of Tweed Hospital, including upgrades to the emergency department and new beds.
• $200 million to redevelop Wyong Hospital, which will include an expanded paediatric unit, chemotherapy, medical imaging capability and mental health services.
• $177 million to build a new Grafton Bridge.
• $100 million for a paediatric surgical centre at Campbelltown Hospital. This will include enhanced outpatient services, increased anaesthesia and enlarged theatre space.
• $100 million to replace demountable classrooms with permanent, air-conditioned classrooms.
• $70 million to assist public schools to install solar panels. Up to 1700 public schools will receive funding of around $40,000.
• $60 million for a high school at the site of Cleveland Street Intensive English High School.
• $60 million to upgrade Kings Highway.
• Up to $55 million for 10 National Rugby League Centres of Excellence, which are envisioned as community focused facilities delivering social, educational, health, cultural and sporting programs.
• $50 million for a public library infrastructure fund for the upgrade of facilities or purchase of new equipment.
• $50 million for stage 2 and 3 upgrades of Muswellbrook Hospital. Stage 2 includes additional chemotherapy and renal dialysis chairs and an expansion of the hospital’s main entrance and reception areas. Stage 3 includes a central sterilising services department and more medical consulting rooms.
• $45 million to complete the Warnervale Link Road.
• $40 million for four new walk-in centres staffed by 45 nurses, based on the two centres currently operating in Canberra.
• $40 million for a new high school in Medowie.
• $30 million to upgrade facilities and infrastructure at Ballina High School and Southern Cross School.
• $23.1 million for local road upgrades in the Upper Hunter region as part of its Upper Hunter Roads Rescue Package.
• $20 million funding extension for water infrastructure grants.
• $12 million for a Gosford Performing Arts Centre.
• $7.3 million for a new operating theatre and enhanced emergency department at Ballina Hospital.
• $5 million for initial planning and forecasting work of the international convention centre in Newcastle. The Labor Party would direct the Hunter Development Corporation to start work on the project. It would also establish a design competition for the SkyBridge project connecting the new centre to Newcastle’s CBD and work with the private sector to identify other opportunities that would complement the centre.

The Labor Party also made a number of promises without financial figures attached.

One was for Infrastructure NSW to be strengthened as an organisation. The changes outlined include the removal of the Premier’s ability to direct changes to the organisation’s reports, releasing its business case and cost analyses for each major infrastructure project and giving the organisation oversight of infrastructure delivery.

Labor will also change the scope of WestConnex, delivering the M4 component over two stages to provide “direct access for the residents of Western Sydney to Sydney’s CBD”. The M5 East duplication project will have a new route determined by Infrastructure NSW and input from the Auditor General.

Further, the St Peter’s interchange will not go ahead. All compulsory acquisition of properties will be halted until a final route has been finalised and community consultation undertaken. The tunnel linking the M4 and M5 will be cancelled as “it is not a transport priority”

The Belubula Dam construction would be put on hold for water security and management option exploration and an Indigenous Cultural Centre would be delivered at Barangaroo.

Lastly, the Labor Party said it would conduct a “thorough and transparent” community consultation program for all proposed projects.