Restart NSW

In 2011 the NSW Government established the Restart NSW fund to enable infrastructure projects to be funded and delivered throughout NSW. As at June 2018, funds deposited into Restart NSW, since 2011, have totalled $32.9 billion.

Restart NSW is the vehicle for the delivery of the Rebuilding NSW plan, which is the Government’s 10-year plan to invest in new infrastructure funded by the electricity network transactions, Commonwealth Government Asset Recycling Initiative payments, and investment earnings.  These proceeds are first deposited into the Restart NSW fund before being invested into infrastructure projects.

Infrastructure NSW is responsible for assessing and recommending Restart NSW projects which improve the productivity and competitiveness of NSW across all sectors. They include a mixture of NSW Government agency-led infrastructure projects, as well as local and community infrastructure projects led by local government, non-government organisations and other agencies, the majority of which are recommended following a submission-based competitive process.

Projects in regional NSW (locations outside Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong) make up 30 per cent of all Restart NSW funding reservations, with allocations to be made over the lifetime of the fund.

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Regional projects include both NSW Government agency-led projects and local and community projects which are managed by local government, non-government organisations and other agencies.

The majority of local and community infrastructure projects are selected via targeted funding programs following a range of open, competitive expressions of interest processes.

Infrastructure NSW administers Restart NSW funding grants on behalf of the Treasurer for these local projects.  A sample funding deed, which is agreed and signed prior to project commencement, is located here.

For further information on Restart NSW funding programs please contact Michelle Huntsman, Director Restart NSW on 02 8016 0100 or via email at restart@infrastructure.nsw.gov.au

As at June 2018, there are more than 480 local projects which have been allocated over $1.2 billion funding under Restart NSW since the first program was announced in 2012. The total project budget for these projects is almost $2 billion. For more information on these projects, view the latest Restart NSW booklet here.

Funding programs supported by Restart NSW include:

Fixing Country Roads

Fixing Country Roads provides funding to local councils to repair and upgrade roads throughout regional NSW, with more than $215 million allocated across the state to improve and build efficient freight transport networks to reduce costs for businesses. That includes $4.9 million for the upgrade and construction of truck washes in the co-funded Fixing Country Truck Washes program, a collaboration with the Federal Government.

The Fixing Country Roads program helps to fund projects that better connect local and regional roads to state highways and key freight hubs, such as silos, saleyards, rail heads, supermarket distribution centres, industrial parks and depots.

What’s the latest?

A new funding round for Fixing Country Roads opened in January 2018. The application process for Fixing Country Roads changed was updated at this time so that applications can be received at any time

For more information on the Fixing Country Roads program and applications process, visit Transport for NSW.

Fixing Country Rail

Fixing Country Rail provides funding to rail infrastructure enhancement projects that eliminate connectivity constraints on the NSW regional rail network. It is designed to complement the Fixing Country Roads program to build an efficient freight transport network in regional NSW and reduce the cost to market for businesses.

Projects funded under this program include sidings, passing loops, the reopening of non-operational sections and network enhancements that allow the use of faster, longer and heavier trains.

What’s the latest?

Thirteen successful Fixing Country Rail projects have been selected and announced. For more information on the Fixing Country Rail program, visit Transport for NSW.

Regional Growth Fund - Growing Local Economies

As part of the NSW Government’s commitment to support growing regional centres under the Regional Growth Fund, Growing Local Economies aims to turbocharge new regional economic opportunities and provide long-term growth benefits.

Funding is available for projects of economic significance which could include, but are not limited to, road works, natural gas mains and pipelines, water supply, sewerage connections and telecommunications.

What’s the latest?

Applications remain open to eligible organisations with more information available at Growing Local Economies.

Regional Growth Fund - Environment and Tourism Fund

The $300 million Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund (RGETF) aims to increase tourist visitation by investing in regional environment and tourism infrastructure. It particularly focuses on assets that will grow and further diversify NSW regional economies.

Funding is allocated via an Expressions of Interest process, across a number of rounds, with funding now allocated to more than 30 projects across the state.

What’s the latest?

The first round of the program has now been allocated. For more information about the fund and applications process, visit Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism.

 

 

Regional Growth Fund - Resources for Regions

Resources for Regions, part of the Regional Growth Fund, aims to address infrastructure constraints in mining-related communities in regional NSW and in Newcastle and Wollongong.

Since 2012, $268 million has been allocated to 54 projects. This includes infrastructure across the health, water, road, education and tourism sectors, as well as investment in CBD renewals to increase the attractiveness of regional NSW as a place to live and do business.

What’s the latest?

In June 2018, the NSW Government announced an additional $50 million for the Resources for Regions program. Expressions of Interest are now open.

More information on these programs and the application process is available at the Regional Growth Fund’s Resources for Regions. 

Safe and Secure Water

Safe and Secure Water is a $1 billion fund securing water supply and sewerage services for NSW regional communities.

This multi-phased program provides co‑funding to successful applicants such as local councils, water utilities, water corporations and prescribed dam owners for detailed planning and construction activities to install, replace, augment or decommission water and sewerage infrastructure.

It follows the successful Water Security for Regions program which committed more than $330 million to water projects across NSW, including almost $220 million to local submission-based projects for augmenting dams, pipeline and bore works and water efficiency mechanisms.

What’s the latest?

Expressions of Interest under the Safe and Secure Water Program remain open. Further information regarding the program and the EOI process is available at the Department of Industry.

 

Housing Acceleration Fund

The Housing Acceleration Fund, managed by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, was established in 2012, with more than $2 billion reserved to deliver critical enabling infrastructure to stimulate and accelerate housing development in NSW. The fund creates opportunities for releasing housing through upgrades to roads and other infrastructure.

Restart NSW has contributed to this funding pool over a number of funding rounds, with funds used for both NSW Government agency-led projects and those managed by local councils.

What’s the latest?

A number of projects are now complete and the program is currently in its fifth round of funding. Planning and assessment of projects is ongoing.

More information on the program can be found at Planning and Environment.

 

Cobbora Transition Fund

The $20 million Cobbora Transition Fund creates infrastructure that drives economic growth and productivity in recognition of the impact that land acquisition and other activities associated with the Cobbora Coal Project have had on local communities.

Funding was provided in two ways - $16 million through an expression of interest process, and $1 million allocated directly to each of the four councils in the region.

Projects allocated funding under the Cobbora Transition Fund range from health care, roads and transport initiatives, through to tourism, events and recreation, and are spread across the region.

What’s the latest?

The fund has been fully allocated. Construction continues.

Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund

In 2011 the NSW Government established the Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund (HIIF) to enhance infrastructure in the Hunter Region, including Newcastle, and support economic growth.

The Government allocated $350 million to the Fund over four years, commencing in the 2011-12 financial year, adding a further $100 million through the 2014 State Budget. There has been $50 million allocated to submission-based projects.

For more information about the program, visit Hunter Infrastructure and Investment Fund.

 

What’s the latest?

The fund has been fully allocated. Construction on some projects continues.

Regional Tourism Infrastructure

The Regional Tourism Infrastructure program funds critical visitor economy infrastructure projects, such as rail trails, airports and cruise terminals. So far, $110 million has been dedicated to improving infrastructure which assists in attracting more visitors to regional NSW and makes it a more attractive place to live and work.

The funding includes $70 million for upgrades to more than 20 regional airports; boosting their capacity and safety and increasing their ability to attract visitors to regional NSW.

What’s the latest?

Construction continues for many of these projects. For more information about the Regional Tourism Infrastructure fund, visit the Department of Industry.

 

Restart Illawarra

The Illawarra Infrastructure Fund improves infrastructure in the Illawarra, using proceeds from the long-term lease of Port Kembla.

Twelve priority infrastructure projects received funding from the $100 million Restart NSW Illawarra Infrastructure Fund. These projects include aged and healthcare facilities, a technology hub, facilities for people with disabilities, pedestrian and cycle links, road links and tourism infrastructure.

This is in addition to $170 million in Restart NSW funding for the Princes Highway, giving a total of $270 million Restart NSW investment in the Illawarra region.

What’s the latest?

The fund has been fully allocated. Construction on some projects continues.

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Restart NSW Project Funding

Each year, the NSW Government approves agency-led metropolitan Restart NSW commitments in its annual budget papers – BP2 Infrastructure Statement. All past budget papers, including Restart NSW commitments, can be found on the NSW Treasury website.

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