THE 2025-2026 State Budget failed to deliver for the Oxley Highway in Port Macquarie, but MP Rob Dwyer has welcomed the funding of other local projects.
“I was very pleased to see $5m in this year’s budget towards the commencement of the massive upgrade of Port Macquarie Base Hospital,” Mr Dwyer said.
“[Additionally] residents in the Harrington and Coopernook communities will be relieved to know that $5.6m has been provided to finalise planning and commencement of early works on the Pacific Highway and Harrington Road Intersection Upgrade, which is a jointly funded project between the State and Federal Governments.
“Pleasingly, more than $34 million has been allocated to Lord Howe Island for the continuation of the marine infrastructure program and the waste management facility upgrade, which are greatly needed projects.”
However, Mr Dwyer felt more could have been done to ease cost of living pressures.
“They could have reinstated the Regional Seniors Travel Card, they could have reinstated the Active and Creative Kids Vouchers to help ease the burden on families.
“Across the state, there was so much more the Minns Labor Government could have done to better support small business like reducing payroll tax to a rate below five percent, raising the threshold to at least $1.3 million and indexing it to inflation, as well as advocating for broader tax reform.”
A summary of what the 2025-2026 NSW Budget delivered for the Port Macquarie-Hastings can be found at budget.nsw.gov.au/2025-26/budget-papers/regional-nsw#north-coast.
By Sue STEPHENSON
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