NSW Budget Falls Short for Myall Lakes Electorate

The 2025-26 NSW Budget, handed down on June 24, failed to deliver any significant new funding for the Myall Lakes electorate, despite the community's recent experience with devastating floods. The budget continued the $180 million allocated for the Stage 2 redevelopment of Manning Base Hospital, but no additional funding was provided for disaster recovery efforts. The regional community, including primary producers, are still awaiting clarity on Category D disaster funding, which was not specifically allocated in the budget.

Key Takeaways:

The 2025-26 NSW Budget continued the $180 million allocation for the Stage 2 redevelopment of Manning Base Hospital, but no new funding was allocated for the Myall Lakes electorate.
$4.2 billion was allocated over four years for disaster relief and recovery, with $358.3 million specifically allocated for disaster recovery and relief measures in response to the May 2025 flooding in the Hunter, Mid-Coast, Port Macquarie, and Kempsey.
$56.6 million of the funding was allocated for immediate assistance in 2024-25, but the allocation and availability of funding are unclear.
Member for Myall Lakes, Tanya Thompson, expressed disappointment at the lack of funding specifically allocated for Category D disaster relief grants for communities affected by the recent floods.
Primary producers who have been affected by the floods are still waiting to hear whether Category D disaster funding will be available to them.

Statistics:

$4.2 billion allocated over four years for disaster relief and recovery
$358.3 million specifically allocated for disaster recovery and relief measures in response to the May 2025 flooding
$56.6 million allocated for immediate assistance in 2024-25
$180 million continued allocation for the Stage 2 redevelopment of Manning Base Hospital

Sources:

NSW Budget 2025-26 (June 24)
Member for Myall Lakes, Tanya Thompson (interview)
Budget papers (specifically the section on disaster relief and recovery)