Illawarra MPs Paul Scully and Ryan Park celebrate the 2025 NSW Budget. Photo: NSW Government.
A refurb for Wollongong Hospital, extra bus services and a new authority to boost employment are among this year’s surprise NSW Budget goodies for the Illawarra.
A mix of old and new projects were part of the official budget announcement.
An extra $10 million for Dapto on- and off-ramps was welcomed by Shellharbour MP Anna Watson.
“I know the Dapto community is frustrated with having to double back and forth just to travel south on the M1,” she said.
Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said an extra $220 million for Wollongong Hospital and Health Precinct was a huge win.
Member for Keira Ryan Park agreed.
“This is the largest single investment in Wollongong Hospital in many, many years,” he said.
“It’s critical.”
Funds to restore the eroding seawall on Lake Illawarra at Warrawong were announced earlier this month, and contracts for the roll-out of four new fee-free preschools at Berkeley West, Cringila, Hayes Park and Lake Heights public schools were awarded in May.
For a breakdown of what the Illawarra will get, read on.
Roads and Transport
- An additional $10 million to continue work towards the construction of south-facing on- and off-ramps at Dapto.
- A share in a $26 million statewide package for improved and additional bus services in the Illawarra – although we don’t know how much.
Education
- Establishing the Future Jobs and Investment Authority in the Illawarra to support projects such as infrastructure and post-mining land use, skills mapping, feasibility assessments and training programs
- Roll-out of four new fee-free public preschools at Berkeley West, Cringila, Hayes Park, and Lake Heights public schools
- A share in the $3.4 billion investment in TAFE and skills funding.
Health
- $220 million for Wollongong Hospital and Health Precinct to plan the future expansion of Wollongong Hospital and the Health Precinct. It includes early and enabling works with site investigation and refurbishment works to help Wollongong Hospital meet increases in health demand.
- A share in a $650 million statewide package to support victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence
- A share in $23 million statewide to reduce overdue surgeries
- A boost to maternity care including additional midwives and enhanced antenatal education and consumer information as part of an $83 million statewide package. Region Illawarra was unable to confirm how many additional midwives the Illawarra will receive.
Infrastructure
- $5 million to stabilise the seawall on Lake Illawarra at Warrawong to restore public access to the promenade and begin improvements to the surrounding parkland
- Improvements to national park visitor infrastructure.
