Steve Whan
Member for Monaro
MEDIA RELEASE
Monaro School spend tops half a billion dollars as NSW Budget backs growth and cost of living relief
Thursday, 25 June 2026
Monaro's school building program has topped half a billion dollars in the NSW Budget 2026-27, part of our commitment to better infrastructure, better staffing and cost of living help.
This year's Budget funds a new school for Googong - the second public primary schools in the growing community with a total budget of $46 million allocated. Googong's new public school will also include one of four co-located public preschools, with three previously announced preschools in Queanbeyan and Jindabyne on track to open in 2027.
Member for Monaro, Steve Whan, said "I don't see Budgets as being about big new surprises - responsible governments plan and work with communities, and means budgets confirming that projects are on track. Positive change takes time, and that's something our government is committed to.
"Monaro families are facing cost of living pressures, just like communities right across NSW. The Minns Labor Government and I are addressing that with several practical measures. These include a $100 discount on car registration and $80 on motorbikes for 12 months; and a new zero interest loans for home solar and batteries to help reduce energy bills and shorten payback times.
"But the biggest way we can improve someone's standard of living is to pay them a decent wage, and that's why getting rid of the Nationals' wages cap in essential public sector workers has been so important."
Under Labor, a first-year teacher is now getting $17,000 more than when the Nationals represented Monaro, a Paramedic $15,000, a nurse $14,000 and a police officer nearly $13,000 more.
"That's helping retain and attract more staff, and the real wage growth NSW is now seeing is the best way to address cost of living pressures that are often beyond a State Government's control.
"The Nationals have the bizarre view that one-off sports voucher is worth more to a family than a decent wage.
"Last budget we expanded the Staying Home Leaving Violence program, bringing it to Monaro. This year we've committed to increasing funding for DV support to $184m over the next four years, to help combat what is a blight on our society. That's a funding increase of 50%.
"In Monaro, we understand the value of our natural environment. I know how important National Parks like KNP are to our communities, and that's why we're investing an additional $130 million across the state to improve access to our parks, ensuring people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the beauty our state has to offer."
My Whan said strong economic management is allowing the Government to deliver for regional communities.
"NSW is also funding record infrastructure spend with far less borrowing than under the Nationals and Liberals because we've reigned in expenditure growth.
"Our responsible economic management has delivered the fastest growth over the past year, driven by private sector investment - not Government debt.
"This Budget confirms our major school, health and road projects are being delivered. It also continues the vital work of building more social housing - after 12 years of sell-offs under the Nationals.
"There are still many things to do in Monaro, both in services and infrastructure, but second budget management provides the foundation to continue delivering if Labor is re-elected next March," Mr Whan said.
