Central West and Orana

Local government areas

Bathurst Regional, Blayney, Bogan, Cabonne, Coonamble, Cowra, Dubbo Regional, Forbes, Gilgandra, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Regional, Narromine, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Warren, Warrumbungle Shire and Weddin

Health

• $9.9 million for robotic surgery research and capability at Orange Health Service.

Continue to deliver:

• $200.0 million Bathurst Hospital redevelopment.
• $114.3 million Cowra Hospital redevelopment.
• $23.1 million Dubbo Alcohol and Other Drug Residential Rehabilitation Centre.
• $20.2 million Forbes Hospital operating theatre redevelopment.
• Funding for the Orange Aboriginal Medical Service for co-design, implementation and evaluation of culturally safe mental health care models.

Education

• 3,982 teachers receiving a pay rise.
• One public preschool under construction, four schools built since 2024 and six schools under construction.

Continue to deliver:

• $24.1 million to revitalise TAFE NSW Orange campus.
• Funding for the Western Workforce Activation Program, creating new childcare places in Warrumbungle Shire.
• The government’s 100 public preschools commitment, including at Parkes East Public School. 
• Funding for the Orana Heights Public School upgrade, Denison College of Secondary Education Campus upgrade, and upgrades to Canobolas Rural Technology High School in Orange, and high schools in Lithgow and Forbes, as part of the High Potential and Gifted Education Partner School program.

Transport

• $145.3 million in 2026–27 for the Regional Corridor Upgrades – Newcastle to Dubbo (Phase 2), supporting the Central West Orana renewable energy zones.
• $14.8 million grant to local councils in 2026–27 to continue to widen and seal Peak Hill Road with Carbonne Council and Parkes Shire Council.
• Funding in 2026–27 to reconstruct and reopen the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass as soon as possible, with procurement currently underway.

Continue to deliver over four years:

• $50.0 million for targeted, immediate upgrades to provide a safe detour to the Great Western Highway.
• $29.9 million for the Newell Highway upgrade – new Dubbo Bridge (funded by the NSW and Australian governments).

Net zero transition, energy, environment and water

• $60.5 million in 2026–27 to complete the connection of the Maryvale Solar Farm.
• $28.9 million in 2026–27 to continue the Resilient Homes Program – Central West, to enable flood tolerance for existing houses.
• $26.7 million for replacing pump stations along the Nyngan to Cobar pipeline.

Communities and justice

• Continued delivery of the Aboriginal Child and Family Advocacy and Support program by Aboriginal Legal Service in Dubbo. The program provides culturally safe early assistance, legal and non-legal advocacy and support to Aboriginal families at risk of out-of-home care.

Primary industries and regional development

• Continuing the $332.2 million Parkes Special Activation Precinct to transform the Parkes freight and logistics hub.
• $3.6 million to support businesses affected by the Great Western Highway closure at Victoria Pass.