Thousands of construction and health-related jobs will flow into rural and regional NSW thanks to funding of $550 million for health capital works in the NSW Budget 2018.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro and Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the investment ensures people can be cared for closer to home.

“This ongoing investment doesn’t just deliver vital health services to regional and rural areas but it also boosts jobs and the economy of local communities,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Of the 40 hospital redevelopments or upgrades underway or set to commence in 2018-19, two thirds are in regional NSW with more projects still to come to benefit the bush.”

In addition to these hospital upgrades and redevelopments, the $550 million includes funding to continue delivering other rural health facilities (Multipurpose Services) and the Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration program.

“After years of Labor neglect, our Government is delivering unprecedented funds for the development of first-class health facilities in every corner of the state,” Mr Hazzard said.

Mr Barilaro said the more than half a billion dollar Budget investment is in addition to $8 million already announced for health facilities across rural NSW as part of the Rural Health Minor Works Program.

“As Minister for Regional NSW, and someone who lives in the regions, I want people to look to regional NSW and think ‘I can have a great life there’, and quality health services are absolutely central to achieving that,” Mr Barilaro said.

“We are investing in the ongoing success of regional and rural NSW by continuing our construction boom and creating world-class regional health services that makes people feel secure and cared for.

“The Rural Minor Works Program will ensure regional hospitals and health facilities across the State are continually upgraded.

“This program further highlights the commitment of this Government to bring more jobs and better health services to the bush,” Mr Barilaro said.

Highlights of the NSW Government’s health capital works investment across rural and regional NSW include:

• ​$202.6 million to continue investment in Albury, Broken Hill, Bulli, Gosford, Goulburn, Lismore, Muswellbrook, Port Macquarie, Shellharbour, Wagga Wagga, and Wyong hospitals.
• $108 million to continue building new hospitals at Macksville, Maitland, Mudgee, and Tweed.
• $67 million to continue investment in Coffs Harbour, Cooma, Grafton, Inverell and Manning hospitals. These projects have been allocated $107 million additional funding over the next four years.
• $6 million to commence the Western Cancer Centre at Dubbo, at an estimated cost of $35 million, as well as $60 million to continue the Dubbo Hospital Redevelopment.
• $6 million to commence the redevelopment of Griffith Hospital, for an estimated total cost of $35 million.
• $5 million for the Rural Health Infrastructure Program at Tenterfield, Scone Gloucester and Dungog for upgrades and refurbishments to areas such as emergency departments, bathrooms, waiting areas, wards and treatment spaces at smaller rural hospitals, at an estimated total cost of $10 million.
• More than $40 million towards continuing the investment in developing Multipurpose Services to provide health and aged care services for small and remote rural communities.
• $16.4 million to continue the Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration at an estimated total cost of $122.1 million.