Research will be boosted to stave off threats posed by weeds and pests, responsible for ripping billions of dollars out of the economy.
The Invasive Species Council and other advocates on Friday welcomed fresh funding for biosecurity in NSW, labelling it a "significant step forward" in fighting off new invaders and existing threats.
The government said the June 24 budget would include another $140 million for its biosecurity program to "safeguard" the agricultural industry.
NSW's primary industries deliver $20 billion to the economy annually.
But an independent review published in 2024 found invasive species, including weeds, cost NSW about $1.9 billion per year.
Invasive Species Council chief executive Jack Gough said the package included $41 million to modernise research.
That was necessary due to a lack of tools and techniques to stop the growing threat of invaders, and to deal with existing threats such as deers, pigs and cats, he said.
But consistent and long-term funding, rather than short-term sugar hits, would be required to genuinely build resilience.
"We're especially pleased to see a strong focus on research ... this funding can kickstart much-needed innovations to help protect wildlife and agriculture (and) we look forward to more detail on how this investment will be allocated," Mr Gough said.
'This announcement puts NSW on a stronger footing - but must be just the first step in changing a system which is currently massively underfunded, unstrategic and ad hoc."
Programs including the state's weed action plan should move from one-year funding models to longer-term deals, Mr Gough said.
Premier Chris Minns said a better biosecurity set-up was needed to protect the state's economy.
"This isn't charity - this is absolutely crucial in protecting the NSW economy," he said.
"This is a $20 billion industry and it's absolutely huge. It employs thousands of people right across NSW. It's a leading export industry and we want to see it grow."
A review delivered last year, written by a panel chaired by former NSW chief scientist Mary O'Kane, found invasive species such as weeds and pest animals are damaging the economy, the environment and communities.
While single pest animal species cause more damage than any single weed species, the overall impact of weeds and associated costs are also much greater.
The threat is growing due to factors such as climate change, trade and land use change.
Stronger leadership, better co-ordination, smarter risk planning and targeted funding were needed to protect NSW's future, the report found.
