Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, and Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, both commended the 2018-19 NSW State Budget, which was also welcomed by the city’s business chamber.
“The NSW Liberal-National Government is predicting a surplus of $3.9b for 2017- 18, with average surpluses of $1.6b over the four years to 2021-22,” Mr MacDonald said. “The Budget builds further on last year’s unprecedented infrastructure program, with a new record $87.2b over four years. “Key Budget Highlights for the Central Coast include: continuing works on the $348m redevelopment of Gosford Hospital with $24.2m allocated in 2018- 19, and $7.3m to continue the $35.5m Gosford Hospital car park; $168.2m in 2018- 19 for road improvements, including the Kariong and Somersby interchanges and $3m for planning intersection improvements on Central Coast roads at Gosford; $1.8m in 2018-19 to continue the $2m renovation and extension of the Kariong Fire Station; and, $1m in 2018-19 to commence the upgrade of the $3.5m Gosford Police Station.”
The NSW Government is building for tomorrow while also delivering for today, said Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch. “This year’s Budget puts people first by making an unprecedented investment in services and infrastructure across NSW,” Mr Crouch said. “At the centre of this Budget is a commitment to reduce the cost of living and help ease the financial pressures faced by families and individuals,” he said. Mr Crouch said the Budget included key investments in health, education and infrastructure on the Central Coast.
“The State Liberal Government has worked hard to build a strong economy, and now we are committed to ensuring every single community across the State gets its fair share, including the Central Coast. “$168.2m has been committed to Central Coast roads, including $6.5m this financial year for construction at the Empire Bay Dve roundabout at Kincumber, which will significantly improve traffic flow for the 25,000 vehicles that travel through this intersection every single day. “Education spending is also a priority of the Budget, with construction of 10 new classrooms at Terrigal Public School and 15 new classrooms at Wamberal Public School expected to commence shortly.
“This will future-proof our local education facilities and replace all demountable classrooms. “Budgets are all about priorities, and this Budget shows our commitment to delivering for families and individuals through cost of living relief, as well as spending on health, education and infrastructure,” Mr Crouch said. Gosford, Erina and Coastal Chamber of Commerce President, Mr Rod Dever, said the Chamber was delighted with aspects of NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet’s 2018-19 State Budget. “The Budget is considered by many to be positive and to be great for NSW, and includes local investment on much needed projects,” Mr Dever said. “As a Chamber, we are delighted with the incremental changes to Payroll Tax and the investment in skills development and major infrastructure projects,” he said.
“The continued development of our hospital in Gosford, including the new hospital parking facility, is much welcomed.” The Budget announced Payroll Tax changes to move the threshold from $750,000 to $850,000 in the first year, and then by $50,000 increments annually for the three years following. “These changes will benefit small business operators as they are moving to now be on a competitive level with other states and territories. “Whilst implemented gradually, the changes will allow small businesses to now consider growing their workforce without being penalised for success. “This initiative alone should see job opportunities grow locally, as we have a high percentage of small business operations on the Central Coast.
“The government is working to develop skills for employment by ensuring that everything is being done to not only encourage people to consider an apprenticeship and develop our workforce skills to meet local demands but to allow businesses a financial saving to employ people into apprenticeship roles as well. “These two areas go hand in hand. “Overall, a combined spend of around $25b across the state for skills, education and human capital development is a much needed and welcomed inclusion. “Locally for the Coast, we have $32.2m allocated to complete the hospital, $2.7m for the Gosford Police Station and the Kariong Fire Station, and $162.8m on major local roads which are in need of attention. “Overall, the Chamber is supportive of the budget and any of the financial opportunities it presents for taxpayers and business alike.
Source: Media release, Jun 20 Rod Dever, Gosford Erina and Coastal Chamber Media release, Jun 19 Kit Hale, office of Scot MacDonald Media release, Jun 19 Ben Sheath, office of Adam Crouch