Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey said the budget would deliver funding for five new projects in the Oxley electorate.

These include a police station for South West Rocks, a wastewater plant at Bowraville, PCYC at Kempsey, upgrades at Arakoon and Trial Bay, and funding for a study of a second Kempsey Bridge crossing.

“Delivering the infrastructure projects our community needs continues to be a priority, with almost $250 million in support for local capital works programs with the new announcements totalling $10.538 million,” Ms Pavey said.

“Kempsey PCYC is set for a half-million-dollar upgrade, giving local youth more sporting and recreational opportunities and a chance to engage with their community.

“Once the works are complete, the sports court at Kempsey PCYC will be transformed into a multi-functional activity space.

“A $1.5 million allocation will transform the South West Rocks police station into a modern facility that will serve the community now and into the future.

“Police in the Mid North Coast Police District do outstanding work right across the region, and once the station is completed, our local hard-working men and women in blue will have new facilities and equipment to prevent and disrupt crime and, most importantly, keep the community safe.”

The Macleay Coast will also benefit from $6.7 million allocated for the popular Arakoon National Park.

“New infrastructure at Trial Bay campground will include walking and cycling tracks, day use and overnight amenities, picnic shelters and upgraded campsites,” Ms Pavey said.

“In addition, there will be extra visitor facilities for beach access along Trial Bay and families will enjoy up to 12 kilometres of new walking and bike paths that will wind their way around Little Bay.”

The Kempsey community will also benefit from $1 million allocated for planning for a second bridge over the Macleay River, while $25 million has been allocated for Oxley Highway works and measures, including the notorious Rosewood Rd and Spencers Cutting re-alignments.

“There is $1.5 million for pedestrian amenities at Hastings St, Wauchope, and $5 million to shire councils for local road maintenance and infrastructure works,” Ms Pavey said.

Other local projects announced in the budget include: 

$73 million for the new Macksville Hospital

$1.47 million for social housing upgrades

$3.2 million for Hastings-Macleay and Nambucca-Bellinger block grants for repair and maintenance of local roads

$6.6 million for the Stuarts Point Sewerage program and $1.7m for the Stuarts Point foreshore revitalisation program

$900,000 for the construction of the new South West Rocks Fire Station

$485,000 for the Bowraville Wastewater Treatment Plant

$535,000 for the Urunga Tidal Pool upgrade works

$3.5m for the redevelopment of the Wauchope Ambulance Station

$2.6 million for a range of projects under the Regional Cultural and Stronger Country Community Funds

The expansion of the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre and the upgrade of the Nambucca Heads zone electrical substation

The projected surplus for 2017-18 is $3.9 billion, with average surpluses of $1.6 billion over the four years to 2021-22.

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