Southwest Sydney suburbs among the most disadvantaged in NSW along with remote rural areas
ONE of NSW’s most chronically disadvantaged regions is sitting right under your nose, on par with some of NSW’s most remote rural areas.
Fairfield
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ONE of NSW’s most chronically disadvantaged regions is sitting right under your nose.
Fairfield sits at number five on the Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) list of most disadvantaged areas, among the state’s most remote rural areas.
SEIFA scores are calculated on the basis of low employment, low educational attainment, and higher levels of employment in unskilled occupations.
The most recent Census figures on employment and education from 2011 reveal Fairfield has Sydney’s highest number of residents without tertiary qualifications such as university degrees, diplomas and trades.
Fairfield also has Sydney’s highest rate of unemployment at 9.7 per cent — almost double the Sydney average.
McMahon federal Labor MP Chris Bowen said it was a great shame Fairfield was falling behind.
“We need to make sure people in Fairfield and western Sydney are getting their fair share,” Mr Bowen said.
“We need to oppose harsh cuts that will further disadvantage our area, including cuts to local schools and hospitals, and important services like the fire station.”
Mr Bowen conceded Fairfield had been overlooked in the past by state and federal governments.
“With recent measures such as moving nuclear waste from Hunters Hill to Kemps Creek and the construction of a 24-7 airport at Badgerys Creek, it often seems western Sydney more broadly is seen a dumping ground for Sydney’s problems,” Mr Bowen said.
Fowler federal Labor MP Chris Hayes said the issue of social disadvantage could be addressed with sustainable employment opportunities.
“Fairfield has got to be more competitive with infrastructure associated with projects such as Badgerys Creek Airport,” he said.
Prospect state Labor MP Hugh McDermott echoed Fairfield mayor Frank Carbone’s earlier statement that Fairfield had been persistently ignored by state and federal governments.
“I have been very outspoken on the lack of infrastructure and resources both State and Federal Governments have failed to deliver to western Sydney, especially in healthcare and public education,” Dr McDermott said.
“This is a major concern — the State Government needs to address the inequalities and break the cycles of poverty, limited education and insecure employment.”
Dr McDermott said the State Government needed to provide Fairfield with coherent, focused and pragmatic policies to address these issues.
“There needs to be a strategy in place to provide sufficient housing, job opportunities and educational pathways for our families,” Dr McDermott said.
“The introduction of new refugees into the LGA needs to be reassessed and sufficient support mechanisms put in place to assist them and our community infrastructure.”
Cabramatta state Labor MP Nick Lalich agreed the government needed to provide more opportunities for refugees to thrive in Fairfield.
“A significant proportion of the southwest Sydney population are refugees who came here seeking refuge from war-torn countries,” Mr Lalich said.
“Cabramatta and its people deserve their fair share and my office sends numerous representations to the government requesting this.”
Mr Lalich said school children also deserved more education infrastructure to given them a good start in life.
“The younger generations have the brains and talent to be successful,” Mr Lalich said.
“They just need the opportunity.”
Fairfield state Labor MP Guy Zangari said it would come as no surprise to residents that Fairfield had a low socio-economic status.
“Our incredibly diverse community has a unique set of needs which are often met solely through a number of government and non-government organisations who give their all to assist,” he said.
“Despite the tremendous work of staff and volunteers in these frontline services, it is clear additional government assistance is required for newly arrived migrants to streamline their integration into our community.”
Mr Zangari said there were many skilled migrants arriving in Fairfield who simply needed support and assistance to have their skillset and qualifications recognised.
Disadvantage
Fairfield is the fifth most disadvantaged region in NSW after remote areas such as Brewarrina, Central Darling, Walgett and Kempsey
Census figures reveal Fairfield residents have the lowest level of tertiary education and highest level of unemployment in Sydney.
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