Short-term fixes, no long-term vision:RCNSW on the 2026–27 Budget

Regional Cities New South Wales (RCNSW) says today’s State Budget recognises the cost-of-living pressures facing regional households and funds important local projects, but fails to provide the long-term vision needed to unlock the full potential of regional NSW.

RCNSW Chair Cr Steve Krieg said cost-of-living measures and targeted investments in health, education, infrastructure and community services would make a meaningful difference for the communities receiving them.

“After a tough year of rising fuel prices hitting regional households and businesses hardest, support that reduces transport costs is genuinely welcome," Cr Krieg said.

“The commitment for new and upgraded rural and regional health facilities, including long-awaited hospital upgrades in several of our member cities, is a significant step forward.

“And with more young families choosing regional NSW, upgrading our schools is essential to keeping pace with growth,” he said.

The Budget also allocated funding central to the Government’s broader policy agenda, particularly road and broader freight investment needed to deliver renewable energy zones.  

Cr Krieg said the budget had a number of individual, one off investments for communities such as Broken Hill’s water infrastructure commitment.  

 “Regional NSW deserves more than one off investments. 

 “This budget falls short of the long-term, coordinated regional strategy needed to address the pressures shaping life outside the city.

 “Regional communities are central to the state’s future prosperity, energy security and food production. 

 “To deliver on that potential, we need the strategic, long-term planning that allows our cities to grow, attract workers and remain liveable.

“We need a coordinated plan for water security, housing and transport.

 “Without that long-term strategy, we risk limiting regional NSW’s full contribution to the state at a time when we really need it,” he said.