NSW Budget delivers for Western Sydney
Western Sydney has been given a massive funding injection to grow and thrive in the 2015-16 NSW Budget across health, education, roads and transport portfolios, NSW Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Mike Baird said today.
“In 20 years, every second Sydneysider will live in Greater Western Sydney. It is the engine room of our state and this budget is further proof that the Liberals & Nationals Government backs Western Sydney and its future,” Mr Baird said.
“Western Sydney has been a major funding focus for the Coalition Government over its last four years in office and we will continue to invest in this important region.”
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier for Western Sydney Ray Williams said the health infrastructure boom will continue with hospitals across Western Sydney big winners in this budget.
“This is about delivering better services with first-class facilities where they are needed most,” Mr Williams said.
A $45 million injection will kick start stage 1B of the Westmead Hospital redevelopment and $30 million will go towards commencing stage two of the Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals redevelopment.
Another $27.6 million will go towards the continued redevelopment of Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals while $23.2 million will be invested to continue redeveloping Westmead Hospital.
The Budget also includes $19 million this year to progress planning of the new Parramatta Light Rail.
This year we are investing $37 million to improve network efficiency on the busy Western train line. This includes $18 million to modify signalling and provide technology upgrades which will improve reliability for customers.
The 2015-16 Budget also invests $684 million to upgrade and repair roads in Western Sydney, including $180 million towards easing Sydney’s congestion which will deliver additional clear ways and fix notorious traffic pinch points ($62 million), planning for the Smart Motorways program ($15 million) and delivering real time travel information for motorists ($9 million).
Another $167 million will be invested for continued upgrades to support population and economic growth in Western Sydney, including completing the final section of Camden Valley Way ($16 million) and ongoing upgrades of Schofields ($44 million), Richmond ($30 million) and Old Wallgrove ($30 million) roads.
Meanwhile, $164 million in joint funding with the Federal Government will be invested to upgrade roads to help support Sydney’s second airport at Badgerys Creek, including continuing construction on Bringelly Road ($50 million) and Werrington Arterial Road ($30 million).
The Government is also investing $25 million on new services on the Parramatta River, including $2 million this year to commence the delivery program of an extra four ferry vessels.
The Budget has committed $20 million to establish an Aboriginal Centre of Excellence in Western Sydney which will improve learning outcomes and job opportunities for Aboriginal people.
The Government is delivering on its promise to bring the Powerhouse Museum from Ultimo to Parramatta and is committing $10 million towards planning the project.
In education, the 2015-16 Budget delivers a new school at Bella Vista, which will include 21 classrooms and a new school on the Old Kings School site which will cater for 1,000 Kindergarten to Year 6 students.
A new school will be constructed at Bella Vista and a new school for students with disabilities will be constructed at Narellan.
Housing affordability has been a focus of this year’s budget with $60 million supporting infrastructure for new homes in The Hills and Blacktown local government areas.
The NSW Government is also delivering $400 million across the state in the Housing Acceleration Fund, the largest ever single contribution, to go directly towards the infrastructure required in growth areas and to bring housing to market as quickly as possible.