The Hunter Secures Billions in 2025 NSW Budget for Health, Roads, Schools and Water Security

newy.com.au – The NSW Government’s 2025-26 Budget has landed with a suite of new funding commitments and project continuations for the Hunter, promising better services, smarter infrastructure, and stronger community outcomes across the region. With health, roads, education, and water security all firmly on the agenda, the Minns Labor Government is banking on long-term planning to match the Hunter’s growing needs.

The centrepiece is a $530 million investment in a new desalination plant at Belmont, designed to provide a reliable, rainfall-independent water supply. At the same time, critical flood mitigation and coastline protection works, including over $82 million for the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme and $21.5 million for Stockton Beach sand nourishment.

Health infrastructure remains a standout, with $7.5 million to expand parking at Maitland Hospital and continued work on major redevelopments from John Hunter to Cessnock and Muswellbrook. On the roads front, upgrades to key corridors like the M1 to Raymond Terrace, Singleton and Muswellbrook Bypasses, and the Hexham Straight are aimed at relieving congestion and improving travel times for locals and freight.

In schools, funding continues for new campuses in Huntlee and Medowie, alongside upgrades in Muswellbrook, Thornton, and Newcastle. Investment in public preschools and initiatives to tackle teacher shortages has seen a sharp fall in vacancies, easing staffing pressures in classrooms across the Hunter.

NSW Ministers and local MPs were quick to highlight the local impact. Yasmin Catley called the Budget “real results for the Hunter,” while Kate Washington stressed the importance of projects like the Tomaree Lodge renewal and Hexham upgrades for Port Stephens. Jenny Aitchison pointed to progress on the long-awaited Thornton Bridge duplication and westbound Maitland overpass, and Jodie Harrison welcomed continued investment in health, housing and roads for Charlestown.

What the 2025-26 NSW Budget is delivering in the Hunter

Health

• $7.5 million for increased parking capacity at Maitland Hospital
• Ongoing delivery of:
  • $835 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct
  • $180 million Lower Mid North Coast Health Service (Manning and Forster-Tuncurry)
  • $138 million Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment
  • $45 million Muswellbrook Hospital Redevelopment – Stage 3

Transport and Roads

• $35 million additional funding for Thornton Bridge duplication
• Joint projects with the Commonwealth Government:
  • $2.3 billion for flood-damaged road restoration (including the Hunter)
  • $741.7 million for M1 to Raymond Terrace extension and Hexham Straight widening
  • $294.9 million for Singleton Bypass construction
  • $267 million to fast-track the Muswellbrook Bypass
  • $100 million for Maitland Roundabout westbound overpass
  • $10 million towards Nelson Bay Road duplication (Williamtown to Bobs Farm)
  • $5 million additional for Speers Point roundabout, totalling $16 million

Education

• High school upgrades in Lake Macquarie and Muswellbrook under the High Potential and Gifted Education Program
• Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at TAFE NSW Tighes Hill
• Teacher shortages down 64% since 2022 peak in the Hunter LGAs
• Continued delivery of:
  • New primary and high school in Huntlee, with preschool
  • Thornton Public School upgrade
  • New Medowie High School
  • Gillieston Public School redevelopment
  • Newcastle High School redevelopment
  • Hunter River High School upgrade
• Public preschools being delivered at:
  • Booragul, Cessnock, Ellalong, Gillieston, Kearsley, Kurri Kurri, Maryland, Moorland, Nulkaba, Shortland, Taree, Tenambit, Teralba, Weston

Climate, Environment and Water

• $530 million for Belmont Desalination Plant
• $115.5 million for Newcastle Logistics Precinct
• $82.1 million over four years for Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme
• $21.5 million over five years for Stockton Beach sand nourishment

Communities and Justice

• $49.2 million for housing for young people in out-of-home care with complex needs, including in the Hunter
• $4.6 million for community and visitor upgrades at the Tomaree Lodge site
• Continued initiatives:
  • Police recruit pay incentives, with 71% increase in applications
  • Pathway for regional police recruits to serve locally

Primary Industries and Regional Development

• $27.3 million to establish the Future Jobs and Investment Authority, supporting coal-reliant regions like the Hunter

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