Transforming New South Wales

This Budget announces a comprehensive package of incentives to support the takeup of electric vehicles (EVs) in NSW and establish the foundations for a more efficient and sustainable revenue base to support road funding. The package includes:

• $200.5 million over four years for motor vehicle duty exemptions for eligible new and used zero and low emission vehicles

• $171.0 million investment in charging infrastructure over the next four years to ensure accessibility of ultra-fast chargers, especially on major highways and at regional tourist destinations

• $75.0 million for a rebate of $3,000 for new Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) sold for a GST inclusive price of less than $68,750 (excluding public or private fleet operators) from 1 September 2021, for the first 25,000 eligible sales

• $33.0 million for government fleet procurement of BEVs in the next four years and $265 million over the next ten years, targeting 50 per cent of government fleet purchases by 2025-26 and 100 per cent by 2029-30; and

• $10.0 million in 2021-22 to support the implementation of these programs.

To provide a sustainable and efficient source of road funding into the future, a 2.5 cents per kilometre road user charge for electric vehicles will be introduced from the earlier of 1 July 2027 or the time battery electric vehicles reach 30 per cent of new vehicle sales.

This Budget invests in a range of new measures to support these foundations, including:

• delivering the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap: $379.6 million in new funding (as part of $412.9 million commitment over four years) to deliver the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, including funding for the coordinated setup of Renewable Energy Zone network infrastructure across the State

• improving the quality and safety of care for patients: $141.0 million in 2021-22 to commence implementing a Single Digital Patient Record to improve the quality and safety of care for patients by enhancing care coordination across hospital and other settings 

• starting the transition to electrify all NSW buses to zero emissions: $10.0 million for a Bus Electrification Program strategic business case that aims to transition all NSW buses to zero-emission buses

• lowering the cost of occupational license holders: $2.5 million to support Automatic Mutual Recognition of occupational licensing, lowering the cost for those who do business in multiple locations

• an additional $9.7 million in funding, along with the introduction of legislation, to implement the package of 29 recommendations from the NSW Productivity Commission’s Infrastructure Contributions Review. These reforms will support the timely delivery of critical infrastructure as it is needed to meet population growth and unlock housing supply

• investments to improve student outcomes and support long-term productivity including:
   
  • $196.6 million to implement the Curriculum Reform Program, a program to create a new curriculum that will improve student performance and enhance future employment outcomes
     
  • $124.8 million to attract and retain high performing teachers under the Teacher Supply Strategy, to deliver a sustainable pipeline of teachers; and
     
  • $24.6 million to support implementation of recommendations in the Gonski Shergold Review including establishing pilot sites for the Institute of Applied Technology and piloting a new Careers NSW platform, which will partner with industry and young people to provide valuable and timely advice to match students with in-demand industries.

Cutting red tape and fast-tracking major development will keep people in jobs and the construction industry moving and create business hubs that encourage innovation. Support includes:

• $870.0 million for enabling works to prepare the site and build a solid foundation for the new Bradfield City Centre, Australia’s first smart city, providing a new economic hub for businesses and jobs of the future

• $175.9 million to provide the first high tech building at Bradfield City Centre and a new education and training model

• $139.3 million for round two of the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund, which will provide funding to councils in high growth areas to support construction activity and the release of new homes and employment areas in key greenfield sites

• an Emerging Industry Infrastructure Fund as part of a $36.0 million investment into research initiatives, to invest in targeted industries aligned with the 2021 Accelerating Research and Development Plan

• $35.0 million to deliver the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystems Action Plan to promote new ideas, design and investment while creating sustainable jobs in targeted sectors, precincts and Regional NSW; and

• $20.0 million to accelerate the delivery of strategic planning precincts to shape land use and rezoning outcomes.

This Budget invests in new initiatives and technologies to further improve the Government’s services, including:

• $719.0 million for completion of the Critical Communications Enhancement Program that will expand and enhance the Public Safety Network and ensure there is radio coverage across the State for first responders

• an additional $500.0 million for the Digital Restart Fund to continue driving investments in digital technologies across the NSW Government

• $56.1 million over the next four years to appoint eight extra Local Court magistrates

• an additional $24.6 million to continue the services of the Data Analytics Centre, which provides cross-sector data-driven insights to inform policy decisions and citizen-focused outcomes; and

• $19.0 million to provide an asset refresh to video conferencing and computer facilities in TAFE campuses across NSW.

This includes:

• continuing $4.5 billion over six years, in partnership with the Commonwealth, for bushfire response, relief, and recovery, providing support to those communities still feeling the impacts of the 2019-20 bushfires, and responding to the recommendations of the NSW Bushfire Inquiry

• $590.4 million to support communities in their recovery from the impacts of the 2021 storm and flood events, with additional funding being sought from the Commonwealth; and

• $150.0 million over two years to expand the help for rural and regional communities to combat the mouse plague.