Western Sydney welcomes $3.5 billion infrastructure plan

Joint release with Assistant Minister for Infrastructure, the Hon. Jamie Briggs MP and NSW Minister Assisting the Premier for Western Sydney, the Hon. Stuart Ayres MP

The Coalition Government is getting on with the job of delivering its $3.5 billion upgrade of local road infrastructure, hosting its first consultation with key stakeholders in Western Sydney today.

Minister Briggs said the upgrade, which was discussed with stakeholders from the local government, business, tourism, education and health sectors at the Penrith Panthers complex, will relieve congestion on existing infrastructure and unlock the economic opportunities in the region by helping to create jobs.

The briefing was attended by Federal Members Fiona Scott MP (Lindsay), Louise Markus MP (Macquarie) and Russell Matheson MP (Macarthur), along with State Member for Campbelltown, Brian Doyle MP.

“Major upgrades to The Northern and Bringelly Roads and the construction of a new east-west motorway between the M7 Motorway and The Northern Road, in addition to a further $200 million towards local road upgrades will slash travel times so people are spending less time stuck in traffic, saving fuel costs, and more time being productive at work or at home with their families,” Minister Briggs said.

Minister Ayres said: “This Commonwealth and state investment is in addition to the development of an airport at Badgerys Creek. It will be a catalyst for jobs and investment growth in the Western Sydney region, which is expected to grow from two million people to three million by 2030.

“This far-reaching commitment will open up the major cities of Western Sydney, including Penrith, Campbelltown and Liverpool, making them more accessible and creating local jobs so Western Sydney residents can live, work and play in their local areas.”

Senator Payne said: “It is this type of investment that is needed to attract large corporations to Western Sydney, where there is an abundance of talent to fill the subsequent need for skilled professionals and entrepreneurs.

“This is about more than just laying bitumen – it is about utilising the skills base we have in Western Sydney, and further developing the region as a knowledge centre, a tourism spot and an export hub.”

The Federal and State Coalition Governments are delighted to work together to deliver this suite of upgrades.

The package was extremely well-received by attendees at today’s briefing.

University of Western Sydney Vice Chancellor Barney Glover said he welcomed the major Western Sydney infrastructure commitments made by the state and federal governments.

“The framing of these commitments around employment and economic priorities confirms that both levels of government understand the region’s capacity and, more importantly, its emergence as a key driver of investment, both domestically and internationally,” Professor Glover said.

“This infrastructure plan will go a long way towards unlocking that capacity and the University will work closely with government to achieve that outcome.”

David Taylor, General Manager of development company Dart West Developments, which is building a significant number of residential, retail and industrial premises in South-Western Sydney, said the infrastructure investment is essential to the long-term viability of the South-West Growth Centre.

“This is more than just dollars and pavement and track, it is fundamental to the economic and social viability of the South-West Growth Centre,” Mr Taylor said.

“We’re really pleased that the recognition has been given to both support the airport and its infrastructure needs over time but more importantly a major expansion of Sydney in the South-west corridor.

“The infrastructure is also great because it signals the confidence of the state and federal governments in investing in the area just as we in the private sector have in recent years.

“People who choose to live in South-Western Sydney deserve a living standard equal to any other major city in Australia and that’s what this investment will deliver.”