The New South Wales and Queensland Governments handed down their 2025–26 State Budgets this week, with a number of announcements relevant to cotton-growing regions.

New South Wales Budget – Regional Focus and Infrastructure Investment

The NSW Government made several pre-budget announcements, including a $100 million biosecurity package, with $42.1 million allocated to upgrading research and development infrastructure and $9.3 million for feral pig and deer control.

Other key announcements for regional NSW included:

• $336.1 million to continue developing Special Activation Precincts in Parkes, Wagga Wagga and Moree.
• $45 million for digital technology and on-farm connectivity solutions aimed at improving resource management, productivity and water security.
• $63.5 million for the Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program to upgrade infrastructure in the Leeton and Griffith areas.
• Funding for hospital redevelopments in Moree, Temora and Griffith.
• Ongoing investment in regional roads, including improvements between Parkes and the Victorian border and further work on the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Moree, linked to the Inland Rail corridor.

More detail on NSW’s regional budget commitments is available at: budget.nsw.gov.au

Queensland Budget – Funding for Drought, Biosecurity and Roads

The Queensland Government’s first budget under Premier David Crisafulli outlined funding commitments across the full term of government, not just the year ahead.

Announcements relevant to growers included:

• $51.9 million over four years for FarmPlus – a drought resilience and preparedness program.
• $60.9 million for biosecurity, with $50 million to recruit 100 additional biosecurity officers and support regional action plans.
• $24 million over two years for aerial suppression of fire ants.
• $30 million for a new Sowing the Seed of Farming Innovation Fund to support young farmers and boost AgTech adoption.
• $6.4 million for existing agricultural research stations, including Gatton and Emerald.
• $1.1 million to replace 41km of wild dog barrier fencing in the Goondiwindi region.
• $100,000 to develop an aerodrome master plan for St George Airport.
• $50.9 million to subsidise irrigation prices and extend a 15% discount for small or family-run businesses.

Major regional infrastructure funding also includes:

• A $100 million, four-year Country Roads Connect program to seal key rural roads, including the Dirranbandi–Hebel Road and roads near Goondiwindi and Rockhampton.
  
• A $18.5 billion, five-year Queensland Hospital Rescue Plan, with initiatives in Biloela, Emerald, Moura and Toowoomba.

Regional breakdowns for Queensland can be found at: budget.qld.gov.au