NSW Budget Needs to Unlock Opportunities in the West

A critical metro package, new community health hubs, funding to boost social housing and tackling the escalating domestic violence crisis have been singled out as priorities for Greater Western Sydney (GWS) ahead of the NSW Budget on June 18.

Leading regional think tank, the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, has identified investment opportunities that will generate jobs, boost economic activity and improve community safety.

Dialogue CEO Adam Leto said the NSW Government’s commitment to GWS needed to be maintained to cope with population growth and “unlock opportunities” for the region.

“The Government has put runs on the board for GWS with its commitment to Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, but there are still major projects and initiatives that need further investment,” Mr Leto said.

“Funding to construct the Bradfield to Glenfield metro line to connect Sydney Metro WSA to the heavy rail network at Leppington would be the next big piece in the metro puzzle. A business case to extend the metro from St Marys to Tallawong and corridor planning for extensions to Macarthur would ‘close the loop’ on metro connections that would link GWS to the new airport.’’

The Dialogue believes more community-based health hubs would take pressure off local hospital emergency departments.

“Non-life-threatening issues are causing emergency department wait times to blow out past five hours in Western Sydney hospitals. We need to invest $250 million to build Integrated Community Health Hubs in Liverpool and Glenfield to provide community services and protect EDs from being swamped.”

The Dialogue also calls for the Essential Housing Package to be doubled to $500 million.

“Some residents in Greater Western Sydney are waiting more than two and a half years for keys to a social housing unit. Boosting funding to repair social housing stock will bring put more roofs over the heads of those who need it most in GWS.”

Mr Leto also called for dedicated funding to address the scourge of domestic violence in GWS.

“With more than a third of Greater Sydney’s domestic violence-related sexual assaults and homicides happening in the region, we call on the NSW Government to pledge $54 million a year for DV refuges in GWS to ensure no one is turned away when they need help.”

Click here to read the full list of NSW Budget Priorities for GWS.