The Minns Labor Government's 2026-27 Budget delivers for Central Coast families - providing immediate cost-of-living relief, record investment in health, schools and essential services, and the infrastructure needed to keep the region connected and growing.
This Budget acts on a simple principle: relief for today, reform for tomorrow, and discipline always - building a NSW that Central Coast families can afford, with better roads, stronger services and more opportunities closer to home.
Major projects being delivered in partnership with the Commonwealth are designed to tackle key pinch points across the region to keep the Central Coast connected and moving.
Transport and connectivity
This Budget's record investments in region-shaping internal road projects nearly triple the previous record road spend in a Budget. The investments include:
- $331.6 million to commence delivery of the Pacific Highway upgrade at the Wyong town centre, following completion of planning.
- $39.2 million for delivery of the Avoca Drive upgrade at Kincumber.
- $31.9 million for delivery the Central Coast Highway, Tumbi Road intersection upgrade.
- $108.2 million to continue planningfor the Terrigal Drive upgrade.
- $30.7 million to continue planning and early delivery design for a Gosford Bypass.
- $1 million for upgrades to Empire Bay Drive.
Relief for cost-of-living pressures
Relief in this Budget is practical and immediate, and it reaches Central Coast households where costs bite hardest, on the road and in power bills. It delivers:
- $100 off private vehicle registration, worth $435 million across 4.4 million vehicles with an $80 cut for motorcycles (excluding caravans and trailers). This is relief that matters most where people rely on cars, utes and longer drives.
- $557.1 million through the Home Energy Saver program: interest-free loans and discounts to install energy-efficient appliances and cut power bills over time.
- A $1,000 cost-of-living payment for more than 120,000 NSW Government employees, triggered because the CPI growth exceeded 4 per cent between the March quarters of 2025 and 2026.
These relief measures sit in a wider statewide package that Central Coast commuters will also benefit from, comprising:
- The weekly toll cap cut from $60 to $50 for 2026-27, going further than last year's $60 cap.
- Scrapping administration fees associated with toll notices, with the fees to be switched off from July as part of the continued shift to making tolling communications digital-first.
- Opal fares held at 2025 prices for the year.
Healthier Central Coast communities
Health is the largest single commitment in this Budget.
- Across NSW, a historic $10.3 billion increase in health funding over four years, delivered with the Australian Government, will recruit 9,000 more health workers and fund around 2,900 more planned surgeries a year.
- This sits alongside an $11.9 billion for health infrastructure including 32 new and upgraded hospitals and more than 2,500 extra beds across the state.
- Regional NSW shares fully in that program. Of the $11.9 billion statewide, nearly $3 billion is invested in regional hospitals and health facilities over the next four years. On the Central Coast, this includes:
- A new palliative care ward at Wyong to support Central Coast residents in their final stages of life as part of the $93 million World Class End of Life Care program.
- Ensuring locals get care quicker through delivery of the new Lisarow Ambulance Station as part of the $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program.
- New stations are also planned at Berkeley Vale, Kincumber and Berowra.
- Nurses and midwives across the region and the state will receive the largest pay rise in more than 20 years from a further $2.9 billion for higher wages and improved conditions in this Budget.
Better schools, closer to home
Every child deserves a world-class education, wherever they live. The Minns Labor Government is delivering new and rebuilt schools across regional NSW, close to the communities they serve.
This Budget invests $9.2 billion statewide over four years for new and upgraded schools, of which $2.3 billion is for regional NSW. On the Central Coast, this includes:
- New fee-free public preschools co-located with public primary schools at Tuggerawong and Umina Beach as part of the100 new preschools program.
- Significant upgrades to public high schools in Lisarow and Narara Valley as part of the government's High Potential and Gifted Education School Partner Program.
In addition theCentral Coast TAFE Optimisation program will continue to deliver:
- $18.8 million for the Central Coast TAFE Optimisation program, aligning course delivery across the region's three campuses to cater for the needs of the community.
The high wage economy will give 3,764 teachers across the Coast a pay rise.
Better places
- $41 million of new funding as part of a $49.5 million integrated program to supercharge the revitalisation of the Gosford Waterfront.
Helping with homelessness
People at risk of rough sleeping or homelessness on the Central Coast will benefit from funding of:
- $39 million for the Temporary Accommodation program
- $80 million to underwrite community housing provider projects.
Safer Central Coast communities
Domestic and family violence is disproportionately represented in rural and regional areas.
- This Budget makes a record $184.1 million investment in six frontline domestic and family violence services, helping thousands more women, children and people impacted by violence access specialist support and stay safe. This is a 50 per cent increase over four years.
- Community workers also receive a 4.75 per cent pay increase under the Fair Work Commission determination.
Investments in emergency services to protect communities, families and businesses
- This Budget provides $470.1 million over 10 years to enhance emergency response and better protect communities by transferring the state's red fleet from councils to the NSW Rural Fire Service.
- $2 million to continue the Fire Fighting improvement program.
Creative industries
- Continued investment of $1.6 million for the Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Centre capital works.
Primary industries and regional development
- $600,000 for the Central Coast Manufacturing Training Facility which will tackle skills shortages, drive technology adoption, strengthen the talent pipeline and boost economic resilience for the region's manufacturing sector.
- $270,000 to continue to deliver initiatives in partnership with homegrown business Native Botanical Brewery, creating local jobs and promoting First Nations culture through innovative, sustainably produced products, celebrating Australia's unique botanicals.
- $161,000 for the Regional Media Fund to support Central Coast journalism by digitising content, strengthening digital platforms and expanding multimedia capability and audience engagement.
This Budget can provide cost-of-living relief and continue investing in essential services because the Government has spent the past three years making responsible and difficult decisions to strengthen the state's finances.
That work has been done without privatisation and without bringing back an unfair wages cap, while keeping public assets in public hands and maintaining an independent umpire for wages and conditions.
Central Coast nurses, midwives, teachers and police are among those benefiting from the high wage economy this Government is building.
Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong David Harris said:
"This Budget continues the Minns Labor Government's focus on delivery for the Central Coast - investing in the essential services people rely on, building the infrastructure and homes our growing community needs and providing support for families facing cost-of-living pressures.
"From the record investment in critical region-shaping road infrastructure to improving access to healthcare, to expanding preschool opportunities for local children, and toll and vehicle registration relief - this is a Budget that delivers for our region today while building on significant foundations we've laid for long-term growth and prosperity."
Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley said:
"Swansea is the kind of place where people know their neighbours, raise their families and build their futures. These investments are about making sure it stays that way.
"When families are watching every dollar, government has a responsibility to get the basics right which is what this Budget has in mind."
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said:
"This NSW Budget is about delivering the practical support that our community needs today, while continuing to invest in the infrastructure of our future.
"We hear our community loud and clear, we are investing in more homes, stronger essential services, better roads, our education and health care systems. This budget shows strong leadership through a clear plan for our future.
"Whether it is a $40 million investment in the revitalisation of the Gosford Waterfront, $2.1 billion for our public transport network or a record investment in our health care system, this budget is about building a better future for our Central Coast community."
Member for The Entrance David Mehan said:
"This Budget delivers practical support for Central Coast families while continuing to invest in the infrastructure and essential services our growing region needs.
"After years of under-investment, the Minns Labor Government is focused on rebuilding public services, strengthening our economy and delivering cost of living relief where it is needed most.
"This is a Budget that balances responsible financial management with targeted investments that will make a real difference to people across the Central Coast."
