Western Sydney looks to be getting a make-over of new infrastructure and transport with the release of the 2012 state budget in early September with an allocation of over $1.8 Billion for present and future infrastructure and transport predicting a positive influence on the Western Suburbs.
Following the allocation N.S.W Treasurer Minister, Mike Baird said, “We were elected to rebuild New South Wales and that is exactly what we are going to do. ‘Rebuilding New South Wales’ means repairing what was left behind, improving services and building infrastructure we so desperately need”.
Liverpool City Council General Manager Farooq Portelli stated that ‘overall the NSW state budget aims to improve the quality of life and infrastructure within Liverpool City and across Western Sydney…the funding of these vital infrastructure projects and delivery of improved public transport services supports the rapid growth of Liverpool City and its surrounding areas”.
Public transportation has been allocated the largest amount with $997 million. $292 million of that being granted towards the construction of the South-West Rail link to Leppington, including a twin track between Glenfield and Leppington as well as two new stations at Edmonsen Park and Leppington including car parking and a train stabling in Rossmore. New bus Depots and additional Buses including night ride services would also be included.
$730 million has been allocated to public infrastructure including new zone stations in Casula and Chipping Norton a $61 million upgrade to Liverpool hospital including new car park and a $12 million allocated to upgrading the Western Sydney Parklands.
Western Sydney Hospitals will also be getting a large grant with over $80 million invested to employ more nurses in hospitals, maintain beds in the hospitals as well as another 56 more beds in the upgrade to Liverpool Hospital.
NSW Premier and minister for Western Sydney Barry O’Farrell said more than $348 million is being spent on Road transportation Networks including upgrades to the entire Camden Valley Way and widening of the M5 from Camden Valley way to King Georges road.
Mr. O’Farrell stated that “Western Sydney is a key growth area and this investment represents a strong commitment to improve the road network for the thousands of motorists who travel through the region everyday”.
While the NSW Government has wasted no time in starting construction of the new rail system and upgrades with the South West Rail link already under construction including the assembly of the track turnouts at Glenfield ready for installation into the new line, construction to Liverpool hospital and Camden Valley way has also begun Treasurer Mike Baird said that the Rebuilding and upgrading of Western Sydney “is a responsibility we take seriously and we do not underestimate the scale of the task left by Labour we understand our obligation to them is to deliver our election commitments and to do what’s necessary to fix Labour’s mess and make New South Wales number one again…Fixing the problems we inherited will take time. It will not be achieved in a single budget. That’s why work will begin immediately on the Governments next budget-to be delivered in 9 months, in June 2012…We (the NSW Government) look forward to being judged on our record, not our words. It is what the community demands, and what we expect”.
Kirra Mardel 