NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has handed down a $128 billion 2025\/26 state budget aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures, boosting housing supply and supporting essential workers, while charting a cautious path back to surplus.<\/p>\n
\u201cInvestment in our essential services is up, debt is down, and NSW is back on the path toward surplus,\u201d Mookhey said.<\/p>\n
The budget forecasts a $3.4 billion deficit for 2025\/26, shrinking to $1.1 billion in 2026\/27 before moving into modest surpluses. Net debt sits at $120 billion.<\/p>\n
Cost-of-living help includes an Australian-first $1 billion pre-sale guarantee to help developers get housing projects off the ground, aiming to guarantee 5000 homes and support construction of 15,000 more.<\/p>\n
A record $1.2 billion child protection package will lift foster carer allowances for the first time in decades, fund more caseworkers and expand care options for kids with complex needs.<\/p>\n
Workers, apprentices and students are also winners, with real wages tipped to grow slightly, an extra $40.2 million for up to 90,000 fee-free apprenticeships, and billions more for schools and education infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Sydney drivers, dodgy officials and feral pigs are among the losers \u2014 with no extension of the toll cap, a 20 per cent boost to watchdog budgets and $9.3 million for pest control.<\/p>\n
In the Northern Rivers, the budget locks in millions for disaster recovery and essential services.<\/strong><\/p>\n More than $359 million will complete the Resilient Homes Program and $63 million will finish the Resilient Lands Program to help residents rebuild from the 2022 floods.<\/p>\n Lismore and Mullumbimby ambulance stations will get upgrades worth $13 million and $3.4 million, alongside a new $7 million Goonellabah Fire Station and an $8.2 million Byron Bay Fire Station. Lismore Courthouse will receive $1.8 million for resilience improvements.<\/p>\n Schools at Casino, Lennox Head and Wollongbar will share in upgrades, including a new preschool and the continued relocation of Lennox Head Public School. The teacher vacancy rate across the North Coast has dropped nearly 73 per cent since the 2022 shortage peak.<\/p>\n Transport spending includes an extra $3.9 million to upgrade the Bruxner Highway and Alphadale Road intersection, bringing the total commitment to $11.4 million.<\/p>\n Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said she was pleased to see the upgrade fully funded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve fought for this safety upgrade for a long time and secured a $7.5-million election commitment in 2023. I\u2019m glad to see the project receive all the funding it needs to get delivered,\u201d Saffin said.<\/p>\n The budget also sets aside $2.5 million to investigate water security options for the Far North Coast and includes measures to stop the spread of fire ants from Queensland. A $30 million investment will deliver 50 build-to-rent apartments in East Lismore.<\/p>\n