Blacktown Council allocates funds for city-shaping projects
More than $176 million has officially been allocated to two projects predicted to change the face of Blacktown after councillors voted to move ahead with construction.
More than $176 million worth of council money has been officially allocated to two projects predicted to transform Blacktown — the Warrick Lane redevelopment and the International Centre of Training Excellence.
After business cases for both projects underwent “rigorous testing”, councillors on Wednesday voted to green-light construction of the projects they hope will make Blacktown known as a “city of talent”.
Now $76.5 million has been allocated to turn Warrick Lane into a modern mixed-use precinct, while $100 million has been put aside to build and run the Australian-first training centre at Rooty Hill.
Mayor Stephen Bali said the council had received “overwhelming support” for the projects from residents and the business community.
“The ICTE and the Warrick Lane Precinct are both vital projects within our vision to transform Blacktown city into a modern metropolitan city of talent, a magnet for economic and social investment and growth,” he said.
“We are building facilities that will be ‘elite for all’ — world class infrastructure that will benefit and be available to the whole community.”
Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale said the projects would cater for things the community “needs and requires” to grow.
“These decisions are the most important the council has made in the last 50, 100 years,” he said.
Both projects are being fully funded by the council, but Cr Bali said any support from the State or Federal governments would be welcomed.
“Council has the financial capacity to undertake these projects with very minimal debt that can be paid off relatively quickly,” he said.
But Cr Jess Diaz challenged the council’s ambition at Wednesday’s meeting, asking if council had the experience and expertise to deliver the projects.
“I am excited. I also feel nervous,” he said. “The expenses are huge. Should this fail ... our heads are all on the line.”
Cr Kevin Gillies said Warrick Lane in particular, the planned home of a future university campus, would be the region’s “jewel in the crown”, saying it “will change Blacktown forever”.
During public consultation the council received 177 written submissions. The training centre drew the most attention, with 98 submissions written on the project including support from national, regional and local sporting bodies.
It would provide world-class athletes and local residents alike with access to high-performance training, sports medicine and rehabilitation. The centre will be located at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Construction on stage one of the Warrick Lane precinct is set to begin in early 2019, which will feature four levels of underground parking for about 450 cars, a public plaza and new retail space on the ground floor. It should eventually be home to a future university and commercial precinct.
Stage one should be completed in 2020. The training centre is scheduled to be open by 2021.
Funding for both projects was unanimously approved by councillors, before applause broke out in the chamber.
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