Western Sydney was economically scarred eight years ago but now it’s ready to take off
The Aerotropolis is the latest sign that Western Sydney is powering ahead. But eight years ago Penrith, like other parts of the West, was economically scarred. I was angry and knew things had to change and it was going to start with a new Arts Centre at the Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School, writes Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres.
I remember it like it was yesterday, but it was actually eight years ago now.
Penrith, like many parts of Western Sydney was scarred, not physically, but economically and it’s confidence was shattered. I was standing on the Great Western Highway at Emu Plains in front of the Nepean High School, looking up at a new sign that said “Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School”.
The school was in decline with enrolments about to fall below 700, the local Labor MP had just been done for corruption by ICAC and the only thing the government of the day could do was rename the school and put up a sign.
I was angry and I knew that NSW and Western Sydney had to change. I wanted to be part of that change and it was going to start with a new Arts Centre at that school.
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Change we have, not just in Penrith but across Western Sydney. With the economy being managed well, the unemployment rate has dropped from mid-6 per cent to around 4 per cent and Western Sydney alone has created more jobs than Queensland.
If you dive deeper, into the more challenging area of youth unemployment there is an even better story to tell.
In 2018, for the first time since records have been kept, youth unemployment in Western Sydney has dropped to single digits. That means more young people getting a great start to life with a job.
After years of Band-Aid solution after Band-Aid solution by previous governments, Western Sydney hospitals are now leading healthcare investment.
This means Nepean, Westmead, Blacktown, Campbelltown and Liverpool hospitals are all receiving major redevelopments.
The strong economy has also meant that long-forgotten transport projects have come to life. Roads like Northern Road, Richmond Road and Camden Valley Way have seen dollars poured into them so they can actually function.
Then there are the true game-changing projects that set us up for the future but somehow could never be afforded under a Labor government — Sydney Metro Rail to the northwest and the southwest, the M4 East tunnel and the M5 tunnel duplication. All of them mean faster travel times, whichever mode of transport you chose.
The expansion of the Powerhouse into the west and delivery of Western Sydney Stadium (both vigorously opposed by Labor) are further examples of enhanced lifestyle opportunities for Western Sydney residents.
With a renewed confidence and a strong foundation, Western Sydney is no longer just a beneficiary of a strong economy. It is now a critical contributor to NSW and indeed the national economy.
There is no greater example of this than the Aerotropolis initiative that will drive the delivery of 200,000 new jobs in the outer west.
The NSW Government has now entered into 10 memorandums of understanding with Australian and international businesses and institutions, ranging from education and financial institutions to cutting-edge space and aerospace businesses.
The Aerotropolis forms the heart of new parkland city west of the M7. I have no doubt that the future success of NSW will be tied to this new city.
After being forgotten for so long prior, the last eight years have seen Western Sydney thrive off the back of new roads, new rail lines, new hospitals, new cultural and sporting facilities which have all brought new jobs and a stronger economy.
As for Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School, it changed too — it got its new arts centre. It now has over 1100 students and is one of the most sought-after schools in Sydney.
Let’s keep it going.
Stuart Ayres is the Minister for Western Sydney, WestConnex and Sport.
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