The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue today welcomes record funding in the NSW budget for social and affordable housing, public transport infrastructure and much-needed road upgrades to drive momentum for Greater Western Sydney (GWS).
With social housing wait lists and homelessness on the rise in GWS, Dialogue CEO, Adam Leto said the historic $6.6 billion commitment to build more social and affordable housing and tackle homelessness in NSW is a positive step in addressing this crisis in the region.
“GWS is set to welcome up to 800,000 new residents in the next two decades, which means the big investments in social and affordable housing need to be made now – and the government has delivered,” Mr Leto said.
“An $810 million investment for social housing repair and $527 million for front-line homelessness services is a huge boost, and we’re hopeful that a significant portion of this investment is focussed on Western Sydney, where some residents are waiting more than two and a half years for social housing and where homelessness is on the rise.
“This record housing budget can be stretched even further if delivered in partnership with our community housing providers, the private sector and Federal Government.”
Major funding for transport projects, including $2.1 billion to begin construction of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 that will link Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park, shows the government isn’t taking its foot off the pedal when it comes to transformational infrastructure in GWS.
“The green light for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will turbocharge investment in what is already one of the most dynamic areas in Sydney,” Mr Leto said.
“This investment builds on Parramatta’s reputation as a genuine and fast-growing CBD, and alongside multi-million-dollar investment in increased bus services for north and south west Sydney, will better connect residents of GWS to employment and education opportunities across the region.”
The NSW Government has also committed an additional $1 billion to partner with the Federal Government to deliver critical road projects around Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) and Aerotropolis.
“The Dialogue is pleased to see that Federal and State Governments have come to the table with a $5.2 billion pledge for projects including Mamre Road Stage 2 and Elizabeth Drive, which will unlock major industrial precincts and create more than 20,000 jobs,” Mr Leto said.
“We’re also glad the government has secured the future of the hugely successful Penrith beach for another summer, and we hope this is the start of a new wave to make Pondi permanent.”
Significant investments for GWS in the NSW State Budget include:
Contact
Follow
Explore
We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal People who have cared for Country in Greater Western Sydney for at least 60,000 years and acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather today.
The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue thanks these Traditional Owners and we pay our respects to their Ancestors and Elders – past, present and emerging.
We also acknowledge the vital role played by our Local Aboriginal Land Councils, the modern custodians for all First Nations people who currently live in our region, home to one of the largest urban Aboriginal populations in Australia.
