Delivering his first NSW Budget as Treasurer, Mr Constance distanced himself from the austerity package announced in the Federal Budget.

While figures were yet to be released, the big infrastructure winners were understood to be $1.6 million to Moruya Hospital, $16 million to the Kings Highway, a significant investment in the Princes Highway, $10 million to the long awaited Batemans Bay Link Road and the same amount to a major Eden port project.

Nine months out of the NSW election, Mr Constance said the NSW was delivering to the community despite “cost shifting” by the Commonwealth.

“We’ve taken a $2.2 billion hit to our revenue expectations, courtesy of Canberra, and that does impact on our bottom line over the coming five years,” Mr Constance said.

 This year NSW will invest $220 million to retain health services and $107 million to maintain pensioner concessions after the termination of National Partnership Agreements with the Federal Government.

 “We are plugging the gap left to us by Canberra,” Mr Constance said.

 “We can do that because we’ve got our budget settings right and our spending is in check.

 “But we will in no uncertain terms, begin a conversation with the Commonwealth to reform the Federation.”

In a win for renal and cancer patients and their families on the Far South Coast, Mr Constance announded $1.6 million would be spent this year on the Eurobodalla Renal Dialysis and Oncology Clinic at Moruya Hospital.

Mr Constance said $10 million would be allocated to the link road, between Batemans Bay and Surf Beach.

According to Roads and Freight Minister Duncan Gay, $185 million was allocated to upgrade the Princes Highway to a four-lane divided road.

This figure would include $80 million for the Foxground/Berry bypass and $76.5 million to upgrade sections at Gerringong.

It would also include a maintenance fund for the whole highway of $52 million.

A further $20 million would be spent on the Kings Highway, under a $200 million statewide package, the Regional Freight Pinch Point and Safety Program.

Regional local government would also benefit from a $37.5 million fund to repair country roads and funding to repair bridges.

The program would target constraints on trucking.

Another $10 million would be available as grants to local government to co-fund boating infrastructure.

This would include boat ramps, floating pontoons, sewerage pump-outs and dinghy/kayak storage.

A $10 million boost to Eden’s economy was announced with funding to build a wave attenuator at Snug Cove.The safety measure will be the first stage of a larger marine project for the port.

Rural water and sewerage projects received a $39 million package

Under the Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program, local government and water authorities can receive help to upgrade and install services.

Farmers and rural landholders are set to benefit from an $11 million weed control program.

Meanwhile, Natural Resources, lands and Water Minister Kevin Humphries said a significant investment would be made infrastructure and programs to boost coastal economies.

He said the state’s South-East would benefit from a $16 million maintenance fund for breakwaters, training walls, navigation dredging, mooring and berthing facilities.

Regional local governments can share in a further $17.6 million towards a interest subsidy program to finance critical infrastructure.

Homelessness and child protection programs were also boosted in the Budget, and the first Home Owners Grant was expanded.

Road funding in the State Budget

ROADS have been the focus of the State Government’s budget allocation for the South Coast.

Along with funds for the Termeil Creek Princes Highway deviation and the Burrill Lake Bridge, Tuesday’s budget delivered $1.8 million for the replacement of the Oallen Ford Bridge over Shoalhaven River by Goulburn Mulwaree Council, $2 million to continue planning for the Shoalhaven River Bridge at Nowra, along with  $1.8 million to continue planning for the realignment of the Princes Highway at Dignams Creek south of Tilba.

Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said disability services would receive a boost, with $150,000 for commencement of a five bed villa in Nowra and $200,000 for the completion of a five bedroom group home in Nowra.

Mrs Hancock said the NSW Budget was “powerfully positioned to deliver the services people are right to expect”.

“When we came to office in 2011 – NSW lagged on all economic fronts,” she said.

“We were lagging on jobs growth, productivity, housing approvals and business confidence.

“In three short years we have seen NSW rise again to become the powerhouse of the nation – we are growing three times the rate of Queensland and Victoria, housing approvals are at their highest levels in over a decade and the unemployment rate is the second lowest in the nation.”

She said the budget would also support local businesses, with a reduction to WorkCover premiums, with employers to benefit from an average premium rate reduction of five per cent.

“This is on top of the average 12.5 per cent rate reductions delivered in 2013,” she added.

“We’re also providing $100,000 in additional funding for South Coast community organisations through the Community Building Partnership program.

“This will allow more community groups and councils to receive funding that will provide positive social, recreational and environmental outcomes in the local community.”

 Applications can be made at www.communitybuildingpartnership.nsw.gov.au and close on Friday July 18.