Hundreds of local organisations in West and South Western Sydney are now competing for a share of $1.6 billion under the WestInvest community project grants competitive round.
Organisations from Wollondilly to the Hawkesbury stepped up in numbers with ideas for city-shaping infrastructure projects.
Almost 680 projects worth $7.8 billion were submitted for assessment.
WestInvest funding was available to Aboriginal groups, sporting groups, multicultural groups, volunteer groups and many more based in 15 eligible local council areas.
A breakdown of the applications shows:
- 325 applications related to green and open space projects
- 270 applications related to community infrastructure projects
- 180 groups applied for projects worth $1 million and under
- 296 groups applied for projects worth over $1 million and under $10 million
- 201 groups applied for projects worth over $10 million
The 15 eligible local councils, including those here in outer South Western Sydney, also submitted 71 projects under the WestInvest community project grants – local government allocation, which awarded each council a share of $400 million in funding, based on population size.
Campbelltown has applied for 11 projects, including an upgrade of Simmos Beach (pictured above) parklands to activate the Upper Georges River, a Leumeah youth precinct, outdoor fitness facilities at several locations across the town and Connected Campbelltown, a network of shared use pathway links and circuits throughout the local government area.
“WestInvest is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will celebrate and improve local communities for generations to come,” says minister for local government Wendy Tuckerman.
“The 15 local councils of Western Sydney have submitted some fantastic ideas for consideration, and I’m really looking forward to seeing some of these projects come to life, to invigorate their local precincts and facilities for their residents.”
All applications will now go through a comprehensive assessment process, with the successful projects expected to be announced in the local government allocation from September and the competitive round later this year.
The project proposals include:
- Transforming city centres and precincts to celebrate community, food and culture;
- Creating safer cycling paths, pedestrian links and walking tracks to promote healthier lifestyles and allow more families to walk to school;
- Upgrading and modernising community facilities and libraries; and
- Building new pools, sports fields, playgrounds, youth centers, multicultural centres and leisure and fitness centres.
