NSW budget 2013: winners and losers - Newcastle Herald

June 18, 2013, 1:06 p.m.

• At a glance: NSW budget 2013


• Public servants told to work harder


• Port sale to fund Newcastle revamp


• Analysis: budget designed to establish trust


• Health | Property | Education | Environment
  

If you have school-aged children:

Five new schools have been earmarked for development (on the lower north shore, Spring Farm, The Ponds and Strathfield) plus the initial Gonski funding of $50 million will flow to schools in 2014.

If you live in the Hunter region:

Much of the proceeds from the 99-year lease of the Newcastle Port will be spent revitalising Newcastle and the Hunter region, including a new light rail line in Newcastle.

If you are looking for your first home:

The first home owners grant of $15,000 has been extended to January 2016. And the government is spending $141 million on infrastructure for 42,900 new homes.

If you are a TAFE student:

Overall spending for 2013/14 is slightly down and fee rises are expected to be announced later this year.

If you need surgery:

The government is funding 3000 more operations in 2013/14 but it has not increased money for outpatient clinics, meaning the waiting list to see a specialist will not shrink.

If you run a small business:

The payroll tax threshold will be lifted from $689,000 to $700,000, meaning 1300 more businesses will not have to pay the tax and others will be $3000 better off.

If you have a mental illness:

There are two programs being funded to improve care in the community – one especially for eating disorders and the other to keep adults with mental illness out of hospital.

If you love culture:

The State Library will receive $80 million, including money to digitise 52 valuable collections such as World War I era newspapers. Other money for the arts includes $70 million to upgrade the Opera House and $10.8 million to plan an extension of the Art Gallery of NSW.

If you live on the fringes of Sydney or near a national park:

The government plans to double the level of hazard reduction burns to better protect houses.

If you have a disability:

The government will spent $585 million on a trial of the national disability insurance scheme (NDIS) in the Hunter region to begin next month.