Media Release: Liberals and Nationals to Guarantee Regional NSW its Fair Share of Infrastructure Funding

LIBERALS AND NATIONALS TO GUARANTEE REGIONAL NSW ITS FAIR SHARE OF INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

An elected NSW Liberals and Nationals Government will ensure regional NSW receives its fair share of infrastructure investment through a Regional Infrastructure Guarantee, committing at least 25 per cent of infrastructure funding to projects in regional communities.

The announcement comes as regional communities continue to face significant infrastructure challenges, particularly in local roads, water infrastructure and essential services.

In 2025, the NRMA estimated the backlog of repairs and upgrades needed on regional council roads had reached almost $3 billion.

In 2026, the NSW Auditor-General found the Minns Labor Government had diverted funding from the Regional Roads Fund to metropolitan projects. The report found two projects originally funded through the Urban Roads Fund did not improve economic development outcomes in regional NSW.

Member for Albury Justin Clancy said regional communities were paying the price for Labor's failure to prioritise infrastructure investment outside Sydney.

"Delays, cost blowouts and maintenance backlogs have become defining features of Chris Minns' infrastructure agenda, and communities like Albury are seeing the consequences firsthand," Mr Clancy said.

"Our local roads are critical to keeping communities connected, supporting freight movements and ensuring people can travel safely. Yet once again, the regions have been left behind while funding is redirected to metropolitan projects.

"Regional communities deserve infrastructure that is fit for purpose and investment that reflects the contribution they make to the state's economy."

NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said the Regional Infrastructure Guarantee would deliver certainty for regional communities and ensure funding was allocated where it was needed most.

"Our Regional Infrastructure Guarantee will ensure regional NSW gets its fair share when it comes to roads, rail, bridges, hospitals, schools and water infrastructure," Ms Sloane said.

"This commitment will help improve road safety, strengthen essential services, support economic growth and unlock the potential of regional towns and cities across NSW."

NSW Nationals Leader and Shadow Minister for Regional NSW Gurmesh Singh said the policy recognised the importance of regional communities to the state's future.

"A quarter of the people of NSW live outside Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, and they deserve their fair share of infrastructure investment," Mr Singh said.

"All regional NSW asks for is fairness, and under a Liberals and Nationals Government, that is exactly what it will get."