[dropcap]Sunday[/dropcap], March 4 was an historic moment for the people of western Sydney with the signing of the momentous Western Sydney City Deal, writes MARISE PAYNE, Liberal Senator for Western Sydney and Minister for Defence.
The Western Sydney City Deal marks the unprecedented uniting of the eight councils within the Western Parkland City (Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Liverpool, Penrith and Wollondilly), and the State and Federal governments through a 20-year agreement, and is a strong demonstration of the Turnbull Coalition government’s support for and engagement in Western Sydney.
The multi-billion dollar plan reaching across all three tiers of government will create some 200,000 jobs, further driving the economic powerhouse that is our region.
At the forefront of the deal between the Turnbull and Berejiklian governments is the commitment to the first stage of the North South Rail Link from St Marys to Badgerys Creek Aerotropolis via the Western Sydney Airport.
This builds on a $5.3 billion investment in Western Sydney through the Airport, to provide investment, development and job opportunities.
The Aerotropolis will become Western Sydney’s advanced manufacturing, research, medical, education and commercial hub, driving new investments and jobs in the region.
Within the Aerotropolis the NSW Government will deliver a Vocational Education and Training (VET) facility which will focus on construction, aviation and aeronautical engineering, as well as a new public high school with vocational links to the Western Sydney Airport and aviation and defence industries.
A TAFE Skills Exchange will be established near the Western Sydney Airport to support training delivery and career pathways.
The Deal takes in several major Western Sydney University (WSU) education and research infrastructure sites across Sydney’s outer-west, including its Penrith, Campbelltown, Hawkesbury and Liverpool CBD network of campuses.
WSU’s new campus in Liverpool will be critical in supporting the ambitious innovation focus of the Deal.
The City Deal will facilitate a great boost in jobs providing the people of Western Sydney with the opportunity to work closer to home, while crucial infrastructure upgrades will mean less time travelling for those who commute.
The city and west will be better connected through new and improved transport links, including the North South Rail Link.
Communities right across Western Sydney, people from all walks of life, are set to gain from the City Deal. For example, the establishment of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission in Penrith will bring up to 150 new jobs to Western Sydney.
The City Deal also includes a commitment to adopt Indigenous, social and local employment and procurement targets in construction projects.
Families, individuals and community groups will benefit from the $150 million Western Parkland City Liveability Program which will deliver key community infrastructure projects in each council region including parks, playgrounds, libraries and sporting fields.
Western Sydney has a vibrant history as a food bowl for Sydney. While maintaining and boosting an essential agricultural base in Western Sydney, the NSW Government will also commission a feasibility study into an agribusiness precinct for the Western Parkland City.
Under the Western Sydney Housing Package, the $30 million joint funding commitment between the Federal and State governments will support new housing and affordability initiatives.
The Western Sydney City Deal is putting a spotlight on the west, highlighting the strengths of Western Sydney and just as importantly recognising the potential that can be unlocked by these initiatives.
As Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, a Cabinet Minister in the Federal Government and a local resident, I am proud to be part of the Turnbull Coalition team working with the State Government and our eight local councils putting this plan into action.
Together we are delivering for the future by bringing together all levels of government in the Western Sydney City Deal.
Does the quality of clothes equal credibility or honesty?