There have been many great things about the Fair Go For The West campaign organised by the Daily Telegraph. But the essence of it all can be summed up in one word. Passion.

From a personal perspective I was able to ­experience this passion ­directly when I attended a forum for young people, ­organised by the Daily Telegraph, at the University of Western Sydney campus in Parramatta last month.

I’ve had the chance to do many wonderful, unexpected things since I became Premier less than seven weeks ago. I even got to ­announce our great State of Origin team.

But nothing I have done has been more fun, or moved me more, than this opportunity to speak with about 50 young people from Western Sydney.

Premier Mike Baird takes a ride on a Waratah train from Central to Parramatta / Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: News Corp Australia

Tara, a young woman who spoke at the forum, is a student at Mount Druitt TAFE. She said she loved her studies but she was frustrated at the time it took her to get to Mount Druitt from Penrith on the 759 bus, which was frequently late.

I promised to check it out, and I have. It turns out the 759 runs pretty much to schedule, but there have been some timetable changes lately; so I’ve organised, through the Tele, for the latest timetable to be forwarded to Tara.

A young automotive ­apprentice called Michelle spoke of her excitement about getting up and going to work each morning.

She contrasted this with the attitude of her friends, and asked what I could do to get them excited about work too.

Then there was Gene, an apprentice plumber who was asking about greater opportunities and education for apprentices in Western Sydney. I found him inspiring too; not just for his plumbing skills, which I totally lack, but for his dream of one day running his own business.

Western Sydney was taken for granted by Labor for decades. But now, finally, the passion of the ­people of Western Sydney is being matched by the ­investment the NSW government is making.

Western Sydney is now home to the largest road project, WestConnex, and the largest public transport project, the North West Rail Link, currently underway anywhere in Australia.

In fact, nearly one out of every two transport infrastructure dollars spent in NSW is now being invested in Western Sydney.

And, of course, along with the federal Coalition government in Canberra, we are building Sydney’s second airport at Badgerys Creek. The airport will drive 30,000 extra jobs in the region.

But more can be done, and the Fair Go for the West campaign has shown the way.

One suggestion that has come forward from the campaign is for a high-powered Sydney development authority, based in Parramatta, to oversee major ­development projects across the whole of Sydney, co-ordinating outcomes and removing bottlenecks.

This deserves support.

I’m pleased to announce we have begun work on the establishment of the ­Greater Sydney Commission, which will co-ordinate planning and infrastructure delivery, boosting housing and employment.

The campaign also threw up the suggestion of a feasibility study for a light rail project linking Parramatta with Bankstown, Macquarie Park and Castle Hill.

Tonight I can announce the government will undertake a study examining up to 10 key corridors around Parramatta for future light rail and bus rapid transport. Fair Go has also asked the government to address youth unemployment in Western Sydney.

This brings us back to apprentices like Michelle and Gene. The key connecting thread between government and their dreams is infrastructure.

So, from now on, in the procurement process for major infrastructure projects, bidders will be asked to spell out how they will leave a lasting skills dividend for local communities through apprenticeships.

They will be assessed on the number of apprenticeships they are prepared to create during construction, through the partnerships they forge with local TAFE and other tertiary institutions.

I am confident this will create at least 1000 new ­apprenticeship positions over the next four years.

It will be a boon for apprentices everywhere; but especially in Western Sydney, which is the infrastructure engine-room of the state. And young people like Michelle and Gene will be given a hand up through their commitment to work hard and learn.

I want to support the ­visions, dreams and passions of young people all across NSW but especially in Western Sydney.

I was inspired by what I heard at the Youth Forum, because, as a Liberal, I ­believe that government, rather than directing people’s lives, should be an ­enabler. This can mean things as big as a new airport or motorway; or as small as the 759 bus.

Mike Baird is NSW Premier

Source: The Daily Telegraph by Mike Baird. Original article.