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Ready to Take Flight
We’re fast approaching the day that Western Sydney International Airport launches to the global skies. Now is the time to focus on the tourism, entertainment and business opportunities this once-in-a-generation project can unlock – which is why the Dialogue has launched Take Flight 2026.
Take Flight 2026 is an airport readiness and advocacy campaign working with tourism operators, event organisers, government and business leaders to ensure Western Sydney is ready to welcome the world from day one.
Dialogue CEO Adam Leto told 7NEWS: “It’s the State’s only 24/7 airport… We don’t want to see visitors flying into Western Sydney and then going to spend their money in the East. We want visitors to stay here and spend here.”
To achieve that, Take Flight 2026 is laying the foundations for real investment and change. Outlining the steps for local, state and federal stakeholders to cut red tape, attract funding and propel infrastructure and visitor economy planning.
Among the key priorities are:
- A land audit to identify publicly-owned sites suitable for tourism, recreation and lifestyle – opening the door for new experiences and adventure-based tourism in areas like the Blue Mountains and northwest Sydney.
- The GWS Concierge visitor app, a one-stop digital platform to help visitors find cultural sites, local attractions and authentic local businesses across the region.
- Solving the region’s hotel crisis, with less than 9,000 hotel rooms in GWS compared to 40,000+ across greater Sydney. The campaign calls for urgent planning reform to unlock new hotel developments and meet future demand.
- Ongoing support for the Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund to incentivise more carriers to join Air New Zealand, the first airline to sign up through the Take-Off Fund, and to accelerate passenger numbers.
- Support for major visitor and lifestyle infrastructure, such as Western Sydney Lakes, which would see the creation of vibrant open spaces, interconnected lakes, sandy beaches and waterfront experiences; and a proposed new convention and performance centre alongside a new hotel at Sydney Olympic Park.
Western Sydney already boasts world-class food, rich multiculturalism, scenic landscapes and iconic destinations – now we must ensure it has the infrastructure and investment to match.
With WSI preparing to welcome up to 10 million visitors a year, it’s vital that Greater Western Sydney doesn’t just prepare – it takes flight.
Dialogue Done Differently
The Dialogue is proud to launch its latest multimedia initiative – Dialogue Done Differently – a chance to go behind the scenes with the leaders shaping Western Sydney.
We’re aiming to peel back the corporate layers to uncover personal drivers, motivators and passions to better understand the challenges that keep the region’s leaders up at night.
In our first edition, we sit down with one of Australia’s most respected business identities with leadership positions at Western Sydney University, Bradfield Development Authority, KPMG, Reserve Bank of Australia, Wesfarmers, Jennifer Westacott AC.
We reveal Jennifer’s love of golf, the inspiring story of her tough upbringing in public housing, and the biggest regret she has from her decades-long career – a career she says is nowhere near finished.
When asked why she keeps going, the WSU Chancellor reflected: “Who knows how long we’ve got on this planet. You’ve got to use the advantage you’ve been given in life to give someone else an advantage, and to give people across the board an advantage.”
This and so much more in the behind-the-scenes interview.
The Mega Region with Mega Potential
With South West Sydney set to double in population size over the next 6 years, we could see a new mega region emerge with the Illawarra.
Dialogue CEO Adam Leto joined the Illawarra Connection dinner in Wollongong last week, where he shared a vision for Illawarra and Western Sydney to cement ties and turbocharge economic growth and opportunities.
At the event, Adam delivered the keynote address where he told the 150-plus crowd: “The relationship between these two regions should be baked into the state’s long-term planning framework… this isn’t about regional competition – it’s about strategic collaboration.
“Together, the two areas could become a mega-region of national significance – one that will be home to high levels of population growth, an increasingly mobile and talented workforce and an emerging innovation economy, tied to health, defence, education and research.”
The Dialogue is championing opportunities for the two regions to deepen existing connections along the corridor to propel economic development, improve productivity, and deliver better outcomes for residents in the West and South, as Adam discussed with ABC Illawarra Mornings presenter, Amy Duggan [CLICK TO LISTEN]
Earlier this year the Dialogue released the Wollongong and the West discussion paper, exploring the strategic links between South West Sydney and the Illawarra, and opportunities to leverage their unique position to establish a more global outlook.
Funding Boost for GWS Creatives
The Minister for Arts, the Hon. John Graham MLC has announced the NSW Government’s vision for Western Sydney creatives and backed it with a boost in funding – giving artists more opportunities to share their stories with the world – launching the Plan for Western Sydney Arts, Culture and Creative Industries 2025 – 2028.
The vision has set out six priorities as part of their vision:
- Unlock investment equity: repairing historic underfunding through transparent, proportional funding aligned with the region’s scale, population and cultural vitality.
- First Nations First: placing First Nations arts, culture, creative practice and leadership as central to Western Sydney’s cultural future.
- Grow creative careers: supporting the creative workforce through direct funding and strengthening collaboration with education providers, government and creative industries.
- Strengthen creative ecosystems: supporting artists, groups and organisations to develop and present new work, connect with peers and communities.
- Showcase Western Sydney: growing local, national and international audiences by investing in programming, platforms and partnerships.
- Unlock spaces for culture: working with local and state government, cultural institutions and infrastructure agencies to unlock and develop new creative spaces.
Backed with $5 million in funding to go towards strategic partnerships, delivering a major Western Sydney arts festival, First Nations grants, and strengthening the Western Sydney Arts Alliance it shows that Western Sydney is at front of mind for their vision.
The plan was developed with the Western Sydney Arts Alliance, local Western Sydney art experts, and chaired by the Member for Auburn and Parliamentary Secretary for the Arts, Julia Finn MP.
Homes for Women in Need
An innovative housing solution for vulnerable women has launched in Western Sydney.
Housing All Australians is coordinating a “meanwhile use” housing project, which will see a former aged care facility in Glenfield converted into a space for 28 older women in need of temporary living accommodations. Delivered in partnership with the team at Women’s Community Shelters (WCS) and Hume Community Housing, renovations are scheduled to be completed by the end of October, increasing the number of beds available through WCS to 100 per night.
The initiative is proudly supported by a number organisations, which have donated time, tradies and the building itself – the Whiddon Group has provided the vacant building; while Urban Property Group are leading the refurbishment, coordinating trades and materials to provide over $200,000 of probono services and equipment.
It’s a first-class example of collaboration between corporations, community and advocates. This project means so much for so many, and the Dialogue congratulates all involved for their ongoing support for those in our community when they need it most. Let’s hope it’s the first of many.
Study Hub Brings Support Closer
A new Suburban University Study Hub has recently opened in Macquarie Fields, bringing university closer for students in South West Sydney.
The study hub located on the TAFE campus will offer support services and study facilities for local students enrolled at any university or Vocational Education and Training provider. We were delighted to attend the opening The Federal Education Minister, the Hon. Jason Clare MP:
“Almost one in two young people have a university degree today. But not everywhere. Not in our outer suburbs like Macquarie Fields,” the minister said.
“I know growing up in Western Sydney, a lot of my friends felt like university was somewhere else for someone else. We are changing this, and that means bringing university closer to where people live.”
Evidence shows that when there is access to a built-for-purpose facility university near where a student lives, participation, success, and attendance goes up. Nearly half of young Australians have a degree, but in Macquarie Fields that drops to around 29%.
The Dialogue welcomes the new Suburban Study Hub as part of the Australian Government’s $66.9 million investment to more than double the number of University Study Hubs across the country.
Schott Takes Seat at Economic Roundtable
The Dialogue welcomes the appointment of our Patron, Kerry Schott AO, to the Federal Government’s elite Economic Reform Roundtable.
The Roundtable is all about building a vision and consensus on long term economic reform focusing on resilience, productivity and budget sustainability.
Invitations are extended to expert voices on economic policy, industry leaders, policy experts, regulatory bodies, the public sector, and the states.
As someone with an extensive transport and infrastructure background, Kerry joins the roundtable with the drive to make a big contribution to the future direction of economic reform especially for Greater Western Sydney.
Centre for Western Sydney’s New Director
The Centre for Western Sydney has welcomed their new Director, Professor Azadeh Dastyari. Professor Dastyari is a leading scholar in human rights law, and before joining the Centre for Western Sydney was the Director of Research and Policy at the Whitlam Institute.
The Dialogue congratulates Professor Dastyari and the Centre for Western Sydney on the appointment and look forward to the continued advocacy to build a stronger Western Sydney.
The Dialogue is growing!
The Dialogue has recently welcomed two newcomers to the team. Brigitte Kelly joins as the Dialogue’s Administrative Assistant, so she will be your new point of contact for Chairman Christopher Brown and CEO Adam Leto, and Mitchell Hearne has been appointed Media and Communications Advisor. Please make them feel welcome.
But we’re not stopping there; we’re looking to grow our team further! We’re on the hunt for a new Executive Director of Advocacy and a Policy Officer who together will continue to help us shine a light on the great work happening in the region.
- Executive Director, Policy & Advocacy – Apply on Seek.com.au
- Policy Officer – Apply on Seek.com.au
The Dialogue’s newest partners!
The Dialogue is proud to welcome our newest partners:
