Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) has acknowledged elements of the 2026-27 NSW Budget that will provide support to local families and services, while expressing disappointment that critical infrastructure priorities for the region have not received funding this year.
Mayor Adam Roberts said it was pleasing to see the Budget included measures that will assist local residents with cost-of-living pressures, in particular reductions in annual registration costs for vehicles ($100) and motorcycles ($80), as well as the continued funding of the $265 million redevelopment of Port Macquarie Base Hospital and delivery of Tacking Point public pre-school.
“I’ll take the time to fully understand the detail of the budget allocations, which will include reaching out to the appropriate State MP’s and Ministers, before providing a more comprehensive response in the coming days,” Mayor Roberts said.
“However, in the short term, the cost-of-living support measures for all people living in NSW and the continued support of the Port Macquarie Base Hospital upgrade and the new pre-school for Tacking Point are all very much welcomed.”
While PMHC has been consistently advocating for NSW Government funding for key infrastructure projects, including Oxley Highway upgrades and significant water and wastewater utilities, these were not included in today’s Budget announcement.
“While the Budget papers are not exactly clear on how the NSW Government intends on dealing with our request for funding of upgrades to Wrights Rd to Lake Rd intersections and the critical State Significant water and sewer projects in Cowarra and Thrumster, we will continue to push for support until we get a quality result for our community.”
General Manager Robert Fish added that PMHC will continue to work hard for the community in delivering core business and projects needed for the region’s growing population.
“Last week our operational plan (budget) was adopted in the June council meeting and our focus remains on delivering for the community,” Mr Fish said.
“Our budget included a capital works program of more than $200 million, representing one of the largest infrastructure delivery programs ever undertaken by council and that is our focus.”
