New South Wales will spend $62.2 billion for infrastructure projects over the next four years, the biggest infrastructure commitment in the history of the State, Treasurer Mike Baird said Tuesday.

“A key part of rebuilding NSW is building the infrastructure our communities so desperately need,” Baird said in a statement Tuesday.

“Nowhere is Labor’s infrastructure backlog felt more than in our hospitals which is why we have committed a record $1.08 billion to the health capital works program in this Budget, along with $343 million set aside for new works," he said.

Over $1.3 billion has been set aside for major new health projects commencing this year, with around 45 per cent of this expenditure in rural and regional areas. Total spending on health capital works over the next four years is expected to be around $4.7 billion.

“From Blacktown to Wagga Wagga, from Campbelltown to Port Macquarie and from Dubbo to the Northern Beaches, hospital projects are being funded right across the State over the next four years,” Baird said.

Around $6.3 billion will be spent for infrastructure investment in transport and roads.

“The NSW Government has increased spending on transport and roads infrastructure by nearly ten per cent on Labor’s last Budget and we have invested more than $600 million dollars on the North West and South West Rail links," he said.

About $314 million is allocated to fast-track the North West Rail Link by developing the line between Epping and Rouse Hill, including
$222 million for land acquisition.

“Long-suffering commuters from Sydney’s North West will be relieved to see this project is well and truly no longer just talk – it is underway,” Baird said.

The budget includes the provision of $292 million this year to continue work on the South West Rail Link.

He said many local councils are struggling under an infrastructure backlog so the Budget provides $70 million over five years to address this and provides capacity for up to a $1 billion in additional investment by local councils.

About $350 million has also been allocated over four years to establish the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund.
Legislation has been passed to establish Restart NSW, the NSW Government’s key infrastructure fund of which one-third of all funding provided for infrastructure projects will be quarantined to deliver infrastructure in the regions.

Restart NSW will be funded from a range of sources, including windfall revenues when in surplus, funds made available by the long-term lease of the Sydney Desalination Plant, and Waratah Bonds.

“This Budget is the next stage in rebuilding NSW and making NSW Number one again,” he said.