Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller has welcomed the Greater Sydney Commission’s bold vision for a new city in the south west, but questioned how Liverpool and other regional cities fit into the concept.
“This is a huge endorsement for western Sydney and the future of our region,” Mayor Waller said.
“I’m pleased to see some big plans on the table for discussion and for Liverpool to be considered as part of the mix. However, I’m interested in seeing more detail on the plan and the role Liverpool will play.
“Our vision is to balance economic growth with quality of life and social inclusion. Our long-term plans to achieve have built on our status as a regional city and I’d like to see how that integrates with this new plan. We’re disappointed that Liverpool’s status as a regional city does not seem to have been taken into account.
“We’d like to know how this ties in with plans for future infrastructure and development.’’
The plan put forward by the Commission’s chairperson Lucy Turnbull describes Camden, Liverpool and Campbelltown as a string of pearls supporting a new city based around Badgerys Creek Airport.
Lucy Turnbull suggested the city be called Bradfield, after the great engineer behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge and other major projects of the time.
“We are working across government and with the commission to see long-term strategic planning support Liverpool’s booming population growth and improve the lives of those struggling with long commutes, housing affordability and unemployment,’’ the Liverpool mayor said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“As it stands 70 per cent of Liverpool’s workforce leave the region to study and work. This is putting a huge strain on the quality of life of our residents and it is simply unsustainable.[/social_quote]
“As a responsible council with its own plans and targets for economic growth in the region, we’re pleased to see ideas for our region, but want to ensure that they support Liverpool’s place as a major player in the future of Sydney.”
Mayor Waller said with the right infrastructure and planning in place around the future western Sydney airport, Liverpool could become a world-class destination for visitors, and thriving home for its residents.
There will be 320,000 people living in Liverpool in the next two decades so creating jobs close to home is crucial.
Council would continue to work with the Greater Western Sydney Commission and keep an active role in advocating on behalf of residents about plans the region.
