Multiple regional schools will be built, and existing campuses upgraded under a billion-dollar investment to be allocated in the upcoming New South Wales (NSW) budget.
The Minns Labor government will deliver its first budget on Tuesday, promising to rebuild essential services while battling growing state debt.
The budget will allocate $1.4 billion over four years to upgrade or build public schools across regional NSW.
Nowra and Thurgoona in Albury will have new primary schools, while Medowie, Googong, Bungendore and Jerrabomberra will have new high schools.
Major rebuilds will include Gillieston, Jindabyne and Lennox Head public schools, while schools in Bomaderry, Hunter River, Irrawang, Moruya, Ulladulla, Murwillumbah, Milton, Vincentia, Wollumbin, Murrumbidgee and Yanco will get upgrades.
Education Minister Prue Car said communities across regional NSW were in urgent need of schools and upgrades to existing buildings.
“(We are) making the tough decisions to address holes left in the budget by the Liberals and Nationals and ensure we fund the essential services people rely on - a great education, recruiting teachers and delivering quality schools to regional areas,” she said.
The budget will also include more than $430 million in funding for an extra 500 paramedics in regional, rural and remote NSW.
The additional health workers are expected to help improve ambulance response times for life-threatening conditions and ensure patient outcomes and experiences also improve.
A NSW parliamentary inquiry heard there were longer ambulance response times in the regions because of a lack of skilled paramedics.
Health Minister Ryan Park said improving access to health care in regional, rural and remote communities was a priority.
“I’ve always said that we will do this first by building an engaged, capable and supported health workforce in the bush,” he said.
“It will take time, but the Minns Labor government is pursuing a comprehensive suite of reforms to rebuild our regional health system.”
