NSW delivers strong budget for IT spending

New South Wales Treasurer Eric Roozendaal has delivered a 2009-10 budget with ample tender opportunities for the ICT sector.

The budget references several upgrades to existing projects that include ICT sector involvement.

These include upgrades to  infrastructure in the areas of health, energy and emergency services.

Several new projects were also announced, one involving ICT infrastructure and software for the mining industry and another upgrade of communications infrastructure for NSW Police.

A full review of infrastructure investment plans beyond 2012-13 was announced, to be undertaken over the next 12 months and incorporated in the next State Infrastructure Strategy, due to be published in mid 2010.

Health:

The NSW Government will invest in several new systems, specifically "works on business information, human resource, medical imaging, and patient and clinical systems." 

The Government said its $63.1 million investment in health systems will be spent on "more effective and efficient information sharing and management of health services, and improve corporate and clinical processes."

The Government also earmarked $4.9 million to "complete a new financial management information system to facilitate provision of shared corporate services and improve the efficiency of back-room functions within NSW Health."

The financial management system is said to provide "more effective financial, accounting, payroll, IT and recruitment services."

Energy:

Three of the State's major energy suppliers will benefit from ICT upgrades announced during the budget call.

Energy Australia will take receipt of $98.8 million, Country Energy scored $69.6 million and Integral Energy $24.7 million for the "development of information technology systems to support business operations and management of energy networks".

Mining:

The Government will also invest $1.8 million in a Mineral Resources Business to comply with recent amendments to the Mining Amendments Act 2008.

The new system intends to simplify lodgement processes for the mining industry.

Emergency Services:

NSW Police will be receiving $47.4 million for "various technology projects, including the upgrade of  radio equipment and other communications infrastructure".

The investment also includes "the ongoing upgrade of Police's Core Operational Policing System, the establishment of a Closed Circuit TV Database and the creation of an interface with the Attorney General's Department's JusticeLink on-line judicial network".

The NSW Department of Rural Fire Service will be granted $11.9 million, part of which will be spent on "information technology, station communications equipment and other minor plant and equipment."

Other Government agencies:

The Departments of Corrective Services and Juvenile Justice will receive $19.8 million for the "upgrade of information management systems and technology" whilst NSW Businesslink Pty Ltd, which provides shared corporate services to  three human services agencies in NSW, will receive $24.3 million to "enhance its shared technology infrastructure".