Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane and senior members of the NSW Liberal team met with Western Sydney Mayors and council representatives in Oran Park today to help shape the Opposition’s plan for a new City Deal for the region.
In her budget reply, Ms Sloane committed to prioritising a new Western Sydney City Deal by 2028.
Plans to progress a metro for South Western Sydney would be at the heart of this Deal, alongside housing and the infrastructure needed to support growing communities.
Mayors and representatives from Campbelltown, Camden, Wollondilly, Liverpool, Fairfield and other Western Sydney councils were invited to share what their communities need as Western Sydney International Airport prepares to open next month.
“Western Sydney is growing quickly, and local councils and mayors know where the pressure is being felt – that’s why we want their advice at the centre of our plan for a new Western Sydney City Deal,” Ms Sloane said.
“Western Sydney needs to be connected not only to the rest of Sydney, but also to itself, and that can only be done with targeted infrastructure that is developed and delivered in partnership with those on the ground.
“The airport creates an enormous opportunity, but delivering the associated jobs, homes and connections that should come with it takes a coordinated plan across all three levels of government.
“South Western Sydney is expected to accommodate a third of Sydney’s growth, yet it has the lowest concentration of rail infrastructure of any region in Greater Sydney.
“We need to plan for where people will live and how they’ll get to work,’’ Ms Sloane said.
Deputy Liberal leader and shadow minister for transport and infrastructure Natalie Ward said that prioritising a new Western Sydney City Deal shows that building for the future is a central pillar of a future Liberals and Nationals Government.
“The former NSW Liberal and Nationals Government worked with the federal government and local councils to deliver the first Western Sydney City Deal and put the Western Sydney Airport Metro at the heart of a shared plan for the region,” Ms Ward said.
“Now we need to work together on what comes next. Western Sydney deserves a clear plan for the decades ahead, shaped with its councils rather than a scramble for one-off grants.”
The roundtable was also attended by shadow treasurer Scott Farlow, shadow local government minister Tim James, and shadow planning minister Chris Rath.
