August 2024
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The News is Heading West. Here Is What It Means For You
Today, news organisations want to be covering the stories where the people are, and that means talking to the people in Australia’s fastest-growing region on the issues that matter to them.
That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome the headline makers and newsroom leaders to our 2024 GWS Media Forum on Friday, 13 September at the Inglis at Warwick Farm.
An unprecedented line-up of media luminaries will be speaking at this exclusive media event.
Hear from SMH Editor, Bevan Shields, 7NEWS Sydney News Director, Sean Power, SBS Director of News & Current Affairs, Mandi Wicks, ABC News Editor, Julia Feder, Daily Telegraph and Sky News commentator, Joe Hildebrand, and former ABC Middle East Correspondent and News Standards Editor, Matt Brown, as we discover why Sydney’s newsmakers are heading out west to get in the community, reporting the stories that matter to all Australians, especially those who live beyond the inner ring of the inner-city.
We’re delighted that the ABC Nightly News anchor, Jeremy Fernandez, has agreed to be in the hot seat and in conversation with our Chairman, Christopher Brown AM, to discuss the ABC’s bold move out west, the need for more diversity in our newsrooms and why he’s striving to give more people in the community a voice.
And just as importantly, we’ll also hear from SMH Sydney Editor, Michael Koziol, Gladys Berejiklian’s former Media Director and Senior 7 News Reporter, Sean Berry, and Sydney University’s Director of Media & Public Relations, Clare Masters, on the importance of building relationships, gaining trust in a 24-hour news cycle and the work required to establish a strong corporate brand.
This will be a unique event where there’ll be names you know not just on the stage, but in the audience, as well. You will have the opportunity to come face-to-face with three of the Herald’s up-and-coming reporters – Anthony Segaert, Mary Ward and Kayla Olaya – who are keen to hear your Western Sydney story pitches.
Western Sydney’s Silent Killer
Sydney suffered through some of its hottest August days in over seven years. It’s no surprise the mercury was highest out west.
Penrith was declared the hottest place on the planet at 48.9 degrees, in the summer of 2020-21. On average, daily maximum summer temperature is 31.2 degrees, much hotter than the 27 degrees in the city. That’s why it was the right place to launch the policy paper, ‘Heat & Health in GWS’ at the Dialogue’s GWS Future Health Forum last month.
The report identified that Western Sydney is hit hardest by the severe impacts of extreme heat and recommends a Western Sydney ‘Pondi’ Shuttle bus service, climate-appropriate bus shelters and setting tree canopy targets to reduce heat and urgently tackle the region’s ‘silent killer’.
“The impacts of intense heat in Greater Western Sydney are clear, and are expected to get worse, as temperatures continue to rise,” Mr Leto said.
“Because of these high temperatures, GWS residents are consuming double the amount of energy compared to those living in the eastern suburbs, according to NSW Government data.
“This means that heat isn’t just impacting our health, but also the hip pocket, as many residents continue to wear the high cost of keeping cool.”
A number of measures to help tackle the debilitating impact of heat on health in GWS were outlined in the report, including:
- Western Sydney ‘Pondi’ bus services to connect communities to natural swimming and recreation spaces at Penrith Beach
- Climate-appropriate bus shelters to offer adequate shade and to support public transport use
- Setting and monitoring tree canopy targets to promote local urban greening
- Ensuring all levels of the community are consulted and involved in program development and delivery.
Read the report here.
Major SW Housing Boost
The Dialogue has long acknowledged that Greater Western Sydney, with its rapid population growth, is prepared to take on a significant burden of housing development in Sydney. The region’s population will grow by another 31% in the next two decades and currently has a major infrastructure pipeline worth $16 billion.
While new infill developments are being encouraged in the rest of Sydney, Greater Western Sydney’s growth requires greenfield developments.
That’s why it was pleasing to see Walker Corporation’s major 9000 homes plan lodged for Sydney’s South West this month. It’s not just homes slapped onto bitumen, but $2 billion in infrastructure including, crucial water and sewage links, a new Macarthur business park, shops and sports ovals.
The Dialogue reaffirms that infrastructure is pivotal and that road, rail and freight will all need to work together to unlock opportunities to develop residential and commercial opportunities in the South West.
It’s important that residents in these areas have access to jobs and are connected to jobs. This includes potential connections between South West Sydney and the Illawarra, which was explored in our July policy paper, Wollongong & The West.
Wheels Up on Airport City
Two months ago, the NSW Government was criticised for a lack of progress on Western Sydney Aerotropolis and Bradfield City Centre.
Fast forward to September and the momentum has shifted significantly. There was good news in Ken Morrison being placed in charge of the Bradfield Development Authority and new Infrastructure Co-Ordinator General, Tom Gellibrand, being appointed. Now the Masterplan for Bradfield City Centre has been approved.
The Bradfield Masterplan could provide over 20,000 jobs, 10,000 new homes, a Central Park, areas for commercial, light industrial, open and residential spaces within 400m of the new Bradfield Metro station near the soon-to-be-open Western Sydney International Airport.
The Dialogue has always backed Bradfield’s potential to soar, and we look forward to the public and private sector working together to make Australia’s first new city in over 100 years a success.
If you add into the mix the announcement that Singapore Airlines confirmed its intention to operate at WSI, boosting the region’s reputation as a gateway to the world and things are looking very positive for our Airport City.
The Singapore Airlines announcement not only allows one of the biggest airlines in the world to begin its future operations at WSI but confirms the airport will take its place as one of the nation’s best when it opens in late 2026.
Arts Future Better with Roxy
The Sydney Morning Herald revealed the owner of the iconic Roxy Theatre has unveiled plans to transform the former picture palace into a dining mecca, but the plans include halving the theatre capacity.
Dialogue CEO Adam Leto spoke to the Herald, reaffirming that despite The Roxy sitting lifeless for the last two decades it: “has the potential to be more than just Parramatta’s answer to the Ivy”.
“While the current plans put forward by the owner may be a better option than having the site boarded up, they don’t align with the vision for an iconic performance centre or theatre for western Sydney,” Mr Leto said.
“If the Opera House broke Sydney out of its artistic slumber in the 70s, then maybe it’s time to write the next chapter of Sydney’s cultural story in Western Sydney.”
Mr Leto also penned a piece in the Daily Telegraph last year when the Sydney Opera House celebrated its 50th birthday, saying the $188 million Riverside Theatres development, Powerhouse Parramatta and a revitalised Roxy were the projects that would turn the page on Sydney’s cultural heritage and project it West.
The Dialogue reaffirms that the Roxy needs government help to get there, by acquiring the Roxy theatre and returning it to its former glory.
Honouring a Parramatta Legend
Last week, Hon. John Brown AO, father of Dialogue Chairman, Christopher Brown AM, was honoured with the unveiling of the JJ Brown Sports Pavillion in Carlingford. The former Federal Minister was recognised for his service to the Parramatta region.
Welcome to our New Partners
The Dialogue is thrilled to welcome the Western Sydney Wanderers as a partner.
For just over a decade, the Wanderers have been the beating heart of professional football in Sydney, garnering national and international acclaim. With their headquarters in Rooty Hill, they also offer incredible programs for the community of Western Sydney and present many outreach programs to CALD communities as well.
We look forward to working with them.
