The call came following last night’s Federal Budget, noting the region’s fastest growing region now has virtually as many people as Western Australia.
Earlier today, the NSW Premier told Parliament that NSW received just 17% of available infrastructure spending in the Budget, despite being home to 31% of the nation's population.
“We agree that a new deal is needed between the Commonwealth and NSW on infrastructure investment – with the focus on Western Sydney,” Mr Borger said.
“The current imbalance is simply unsustainable when Western Sydney alone is now the size of Western Australia. We're expected to grow by another one million people over the next two decades.”
Mr Borger said the decision to allocate another $3.8B towards Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop highlighted the opportunity for greater Commonwealth backing of major transport projects in Western Sydney.
“Western Sydney has nationally significant Metro and rail projects in both the South West and North West that require joint Commonwealth and NSW support if they are going to succeed.
“This is not just about congestion. These projects are critical to housing delivery, workforce participation, freight productivity and national economic growth.”
Mr Borger said Business Western Sydney would continue advocating for:
- Major investment in Western Sydney transport, including road, Metro and rail.
- Billions in additional funding for housing-enabling infrastructure.
- Stronger support for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and Bradfield.
- An increase in Commonwealth-supported university places in Western Sydney.
- VET reform including needs-based funding and new TAFE Centres of Excellence in Liverpool and Campbelltown.
- Support for a Federal-State South West Sydney Justice Precinct, including Family Court services.
- New health investments, including a state-of-the-art Gene Technologies facility at Westmead that would elevate Parramatta-Westmead into a globally significant medical research district.
“For decades, Western Sydney has carried a national load with inadequate national support,” Mr Borger said.
“We hope this Budget kickstarts a bigger national conversation about where Australia’s infrastructure dollars are going – and whether they are dynamically aligned with where population growth is actually occurring.”
