21 June 2022: The NRMA has today welcomed the NSW Budget commitment to transport and road safety and investment in Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure to fast track the adoption of EVs in NSW.
The NSW Government has today announced $21.3 billion in transport capital expenditure with more than $10 billion going to regional NSW, and $425.1 million for making roads safer across the state.
Funding for roads in greater Sydney includes $4.1 billion for the first stage of the Western Harbour Tunnel; $3.2 billion for the Great Western Highway Upgrade to reduce congestion and deliver safer, more efficient, and reliable journeys through the Blue Mountains and beyond; and $2.3 billion for the M6 Extension Stage 1.
The NRMA has also welcomed a further commitment to an electric future with $38 million committed to charging infrastructure announced as part of the 2022-23 NSW Budget to accelerate the EV revolution across NSW.
NRMA CEO Rohan Lund said he was pleased to see the state government further its support for much needed charging infrastructure as well as a $1.2 billion commitment to accelerate renewable energy projects across regional NSW.
“The NRMA has been at the forefront in rolling out EV infrastructure in NSW and we’re pleased to see the NSW Government continuing to support this important technology,” Mr Lund said.
“This investment specifically addresses gaps in charging infrastructure including supporting apartment buildings to make EV upgrades and rolling out kerbside charge points on residential streets where off-street parking is limited.”
Record investment in Western Sydney will see $1.5 billion invested in the Western Sydney Growth Roads Program to accommodate population and employment growth in Western Sydney. This includes upgrades to Mulgoa Road, Mamre Road, and the Memorial Drive. A further $1.2 billion over four years has been committed towards the M12 Motorway to support the Western Sydney International Airport.
The NSW Government has continued their commitment to improving public transport across greater Sydney with $2billion for construction of Sydney Metro City & South West, $602.4 million on Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, and an investment of $218.9 million over the next seven years to support the bus fleet move to zero emissions technology.
Mr Lund said he was pleased to see $10.6 billion across a range of regional transport programs that will improve regional connections and include marked safety upgrades.
“Regional roads are important to for all Australians, moving produce from farm to table, and remain vital for the tourism industry as Australians continue to travel closer to home.
“We’re also pleased to see $8.7 million to commence the Heavy Vehicle Rest Stops Improvement program, which will allow for the progressive delivery of rest-stop improvements on state roads throughout regional New South Wales.”
Key regional projects funded under the state budget include:
- $1.4 billion over four years to continue construction of the Coffs Harbour Bypass.
- $1.4 billion over four years to continue planning the Pacific Motorway (M1) extension to Raymond Terrace including $117.9 million for 2022-2023.
- $308.3million for the Newell Highway upgrades including 40 new overtaking lanes, the Parkes Bypass, and new Dubbo Bridge.
- $163.2 million in 2022-2023 to continue the planning of the joint $4.5 billion commitment to duplicate the capacity on the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow.
The NRMA is also pleased to see further investment in NSW tourism, with $364 million to boost the visitor economy.
