The NSW government will commit $270 million for biomedical research in next Tuesday's budget as it seeks to make Sydney a global research hub.
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The funding revealed on Friday will go towards two new facilities: the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator Complex in Camperdown and the Viral Vector manufacturing facility at Westmead in western Sydney.
The Camperdown complex will also receive funding from the University of Sydney where it will be based.
It's hoped the investment over four years will deliver breakthroughs, including treatments for rare diseases.
"These advanced therapeutics are cutting edge and are offering new hope for remission and long-term survival for patients with rare and previously untreatable conditions," Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the project stood out among thousands vying for money in the budget, and funding will support scientists and future jobs.
"We saw the impact our scientists have had keeping us safe and getting us through the pandemic ... we want to see our best scientists turn their ideas into the next breakthrough technologies," Mr Kean said.
He said the government wants Sydney to be the biomedical tech hub of the world.
Science Minister Alister Henskens said NSW was well placed to rise above other regions.
"Biomedical research was one of the areas that we've highlighted as an area of excellence, where we had a comparative advantage in the world," he said.
That includes a highly educated population, a research ecosystem including six of the top 200 universities, and a scientifically friendly regulatory environment for trialling and commercialising new treatments.
The government has also committed $180 million to marine management projects for coastal communities facing natural disasters, funding the final six years of the decade-long Marine Estate Management Strategy.
That strategy has rehabilitated more than 130km of riverbank, reduced litter 13 per cent and built nine seahorse hotels in Sydney Harbour, as well as providing training in conservation and preservation.
NSW was the only state addressing threats to its coasts by bringing together fishers, farmers, environmentalists and scientists, Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders told AAP.
"You can't grow oysters in polluted estuaries, explore our coastline if beaches are closed or improve our farming systems without repairing riverbanks and waterways," he said.
Opposition Leader Chris Minns on Friday called for more cost of living relief, saying current challenges were partly the product of the government's decisions over its nearly 12-year reign.
"It's been driven by a dog-eat-dog, US-style economic system that involves selling off monopolies and assets ... the inevitable result is higher prices for consumers," Mr Minns said.
"We're seeing that in relation to tolls, we're seeing that in relation to energy prices," he said.
Other announcements on Friday include $113 million over four years for rugby league excellence centres at Belmore and Kellyville in Sydney's west and at the University of Wollongong.
Sport Minister Stuart Ayres said the funding bridges the gap between elite and community sports and cements the state's position as the home of rugby league.
Some $50 million over 10 years was also committed to Fire and Rescue NSW to build female bathrooms and change rooms, in a bid to attract women into the male-dominated profession.
"Upgrading and installing female bathrooms and change rooms at FRNSW stations is a vital part of attracting more women to firefighting and strengthening our frontline emergency services," Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said.
Some $60 million will also go towards the design and planning of a 91km pathway along the river and harbour from Parramatta to Circular Quay.
Australian Associated Press
