Rebuilding NSW will deliver a $10 billion windfall to Western Sydney, including in areas such as health and transport, NSW Premier Mike Baird announced today.

 

The revised State Infrastructure Strategy is a 20-year blueprint for NSW that is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turbocharge the state from the long-term lease of 49 per cent of the State’s electricity network businesses.

“In 20 years, every second Sydneysider will live in Greater Western Sydney and that is why more than half of the funding on offer in this Strategy is being spent in a way that will benefit Western Sydney,” Premier Mike Baird said.

“With a population of over two million people, Western Sydney is the engine room of the state – and these funds will transform the area for generations to come.

“We have a plan and a vision, but more than that we have a plan that is funded. That is the difference between my Government and the empty promises that were all the people of NSW ever got from Labor.”

Mr Baird said the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government accepted all of the  specific funding recommendations for Western Sydney made by Infrastructure NSW, including:

• $7 billion for Sydney Rapid Transit, including a second Harbour crossing, new CBD stations and the conversion of the Bankstown line to rapid transit. This is on top of the $3.4 billion previously set aside. Based on a mid-range estimate the project will be fully-funded;
  
• $1.1 billion Westconnex/Western Harbour Tunnel
• A Western Sydney Rail Upgrade Program worth $1 billion to improve the current network and provide additional and faster services for the T1 Western Line including Penrith and Parramatta;
  
• $600 million for Parramatta Light Rail, on top of the $400 million already allocated, taking the total allocation to $1 billion; and
  
• $600 million for Western Sydney hospitals, including additional paediatric capacity in South Western Sydney

Western Sydney will also benefit from:

• $400 million for Smart Motorways;
• $600 million for stadiums;
• $700 million for Future Focussed Schools;
• $300 million for pinch points;
• $300 million for Bus Rapid Transit; and
• $100 million for Clearways.

Transport linkages will also be improved with the reservation of land for future Western Sydney road corridors, as well as upgrading road networks to support the Badgerys Creek airport precinct.

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said the funding would permanently change how people moved around the region.

“Sydney Rapid Transit is a game-changer – for this city and for Western Sydney,” she said.

“Public transport connects people to jobs, and these improvements will get workers to their offices faster, and will get mums and dads home quicker.”

She said the additional money for the Parramatta Light Rail will help cement Parramatta as Sydney’s second CBD.

Minister for Health Jillian Skinner welcomed the health projects to match the pace of the population growth.

“These significant investments in Western Sydney’s hospitals are an investment in the health of the community. They will deliver first-class facilities with state-of-the-art equipment,” she said.

Mr Baird said the health and transport infrastructure in Western Sydney will provide a critical framework for the region but added that Rebuilding NSW also recognises the importance of sporting and cultural assets with:

• $600 million for stadiums, focussing in on Moore Park and Western Sydney; and
  
• The creation of a Parramatta Cultural Precinct where CBD-based art and cultural collections can be shared in Parramatta and Western Sydney.
  

 

Mr Baird said the 20-year fully-funded plan, in which all projects will be completed or underway by 2024, was future proofing Western Sydney, ensuring the residents had the very best in services and the region had the capacity to reach its full potential.