Rebuilding from natural disasters and COVID-19

The NSW Government has responded with comprehensive support for people and businesses affected by COVID-19 and natural disasters.

There are 210,000 more people in work than before the 2019-20 bushfire season, and the unemployment rate is 1.5 percentage points lower than in June 2019. Unemployment is now close to its lowest level in nearly 50 years.

Since the 2022-23 Budget, the NSW Government has acted to address further pressures in the health system stemming from COVID-19 and the extensive damage from the 2022 floods.

Recovering from the 2022 floods and building resilience against future floods

The 2022-23 Budget included a $3.5 billion joint commitment between the NSW and Australian governments in response to the February and March 2022 floods. The Half-Yearly Review builds on this commitment with a further $2.6 billion in joint funding including:

• $1.1 billion to support communities, businesses and councils impacted by the floods, including since late June
• $800 million for the Resilient Homes Fund to improve the resilience of homes in high-risk flood areas in the Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed local government areas
• $500 million for the Regional and Local Roads Repair Program to repair flood-damaged roads
• $199 million to implement a number of recommendations from the 2022 NSW Independent Flood Inquiry.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority has been established to oversee the State’s natural disaster prevention, preparedness, resilience, recovery and reconstruction. This was a key recommendation of the 2022 NSW Independent Flood Inquiry.

Building a strong economy and health system following COVID-19

Since March 2020, the NSW Government has committed about $56 billion for COVID-19 health, economic and social response, recovery and reform measures. This includes Australian Government contributions and covers both expenditure and revenue commitments. As at November 2022, the NSW Government had delivered about $27.8 billion to support the health system in responding to COVID-19 and to build strong foundations for recovery in the economy, including more than $11 billion in support to businesses and community through the Delta outbreak.

Since the 2022-23 Budget, a number of COVID-19 economic recovery programs have concluded, including the Parents NSW and Stay NSW vouchers and the Al Fresco Rebate program. In total, $179 million in payments were made through these programs to businesses in highly affected sectors, aiding their recovery.

At the same time as promoting a strong economy, the NSW Government has supported the health system to manage the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain services. The 2022-23 Budget provided $4.5 billion over four years to recruit an additional 10,148 full-time equivalent staff, including 3,800 in regional areas. This includes nurses and midwives, doctors, paramedics, pathologists and scientific staff, pharmacists and allied health professionals, as well as support and ancillary staff.

Building on this support, the Half-Yearly Review provides a further $676.5 million in 2023-24 including:

• $612.5 million in 2023-24 to address pressures associated with the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19
• $60.0 million in 2023-24 ($139.0 million over three years to 2024-25 in new and existing funding) to deliver new or enhanced urgent-care services
• $4.0 million in 2023-24 ($16.0 million over four years to 2026-27) to increase the availability of paediatric respite and hospice facilities.