WestInvest: Blacktown, Mt Druitt projects greenlit following $400 million pre-election funding boom

Blacktown City Council Mayor Tony Bleasdale has heralded a $400 million pre-election cash splash going to local pools and sports centres, but said he would still not vote for the NSW Government.

Northwestern Sydney’s booming communities will benefit from a $400 million cash injection announced today by the NSW Government, with funds going to projects including a new PCYC in Mt Druitt (pictured). Picture: Blacktown Council

Northwestern Sydney’s booming communities will benefit from a $400 million cash injection announced today by the NSW Government, with funds going to new swimming schools, sports and cultural centres.

Premier Dominic Perrottet and Treasurer Matt Kean announced funding for 21 projects in the Blacktown, Hawkesbury, and The Hills LGAs, to be delivered through local councils and community groups.

The pre-election cash splash is the first to be announced through the $1.6 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants program, with further projects to be unveiled in coming weeks.

In Blacktown, two swimming centres will be established using the funds, including the $40.6 million Mount Druitt Swimming Centre Renewal project and $77.2 million Blacktown Aquatic Master Plan.

The Blacktown Council will also receive a $25.4 million for the PCYC Mount Druitt Police and Community Youth Centre, as well as $40 million for the new Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.

A further $19.5 million will be spent on a new First Nation’s Cultural Centre in Mt Druitt -which is home to one of Australia’s largest Aboriginal communities- while $36 million will be spent on the new Seven Hills Community Resource Hub.

Artists impressions of the recently-announced $40.6 million Mt Druitt Aquatic Centre. Picture: Blacktown Council

Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said that the announcement was a “gamechanger” for northwestern Sydney residents struggling through increasingly hot summers and booming regional immigration.

“These projects are going to have a massive impact,” he said.

“What we need to do is make sure that we can reduce the impact the increasingly hot summers are having on communities by giving them somewhere they can go and cooldown.

“We need to be able to create the lifestyle that families in Blacktown are entitled to.”

While Mr Bleasdale welcomed the projects which had long been advocated for by the Blacktown Council, he said he would not vote for the existing NSW Government – but, he would vote for Treasurer Matt Kean.

“We welcome 10,000 new residents a year,” he said.

“The growth rate has been gigantic over the last few years.

“The big problems we have, which we are seeking for the NSW Government to come to the party on, are the lack of schools, swimming pools, and a lack of areas with parks and gardens.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the funds will “change the face” of Western Sydney.

“This is all thanks to the $5 billion WestInvest program (which) is made possible by the NSW Government’s successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy,” he said.

Artist's impression of the new PCYC at Mt Druitt.

Treasurer Matt Kean added that the projects would deliver improved facilities to generations to come.

“They WestInvest projects vary in size and scale, offer something for everyone and provide the opportunity to learn, gather, exercise, support each other and connect communities,” Mr Kean said.

“These community facilities will improve liveability across our suburbs and I’m looking forward to seeing shovels in the ground as these projects come to life.”

Shortly after the announcement, Shadow Western Sydney Minister Greg Warren hit out at the NSW Government for failing to commit to toll relief prior to the March 2023 state election.

“The NSW Liberals have treated residents in West and Southwest Sydney like cash cows – introducing new tax after new tax,” Mr Warren said.

Mr Bleasdale said increasingly steep tolls were “crucifying” Western Sydney residents.

The $77 million Blacktown Aquatic Centre was among the projects to benefit from the new WestInvest funding.

“It‘s getting to the point where many people cannot afford to utilize a number of the motorways and freeways that have been constructed,” he said.

“Its bloody outrageous, and people are really feeling the pinch.

“A lot of people are clogging up the local roads because the freeways are just too expensive.”

In Hawkesbury, the WestInvest program will deliver also deliver two new pool projects, a new sycleway bridge over Rickaby’s Creek in Windsor, and a new library and indoor sports stadium in Richmond.

Meanwhile, The Hills LGA will benefit from a new autism-specific primary school, new playgrounds and open spaces, and a pedestrian bridge at The Castle Hill Showground.

The projects join a further 68 programs announced last year.