Future West 2025: Eyes on Western Sydney to solve city’s problems
Sydney is in the grip of a housing crisis, while cost-of living soars — but all eyes are on this region for a solution.
NSW
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It has been 11 years since The Daily Telegraph first called on our political and business leaders to give a fair go to the west.
A lot has happened in that time.
It began with a campaign to finally get a long awaited second airport for Sydney and, 11 years on, Western Sydney International is built and preparing to welcome its first passengers next year.
At the first Western Sydney summit, then premier Mike Baird promised to get a rail line to the airport and we will see the Metro from St Marys to Bradfield open a year after the airport.
Once the ball started rolling, more followed with funding for the Parramatta light rail, which opened just before Christmas, and construction beginning on The Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta.
In the last decade the west has bloomed with Parramatta firmly established as Sydney’s second CBD with Parramatta Square and Bankwest Stadium.
Transport links including WestConnex continue to be added with the most recent budget promising $1 billion to upgrade the two lane Fifteenth Avenue from Liverpool to the new airport.
The Daily Telegraph Editor, Ben English, said Future Western Sydney had played a critical role in the transformation — a role that would only build for the next phase of growth.
“Western Sydney has always been The Daily Telegraph’s heartland, but it is now the geographic and economic heart of our great city,” he said.
“From the outset of our Future West project more than a decade ago, we sought to not merely campaign for vital infrastructure and urban resources but to challenge the dated mindset of this incredible region.
“This region is Australia’s future bounty, with the world’s most diverse population, brimming with youth and ambition.
“Western Sydney is now finally being seen for what it always has been: Australia’s greatest opportunity for sustained growth in a more diversified economy.
“That’s why we are so passionate about Future West – it can unlock a prosperous 21st century for the entire nation.”
There is still much to do. Cash has been splashed on the region — $300 million on green spaces and $130 million on air conditioning for local classrooms — but it barely scratches the surface.
Sydney is in the grip of a housing crisis, and once again all eyes turn to the west for a solution.
The nation’s third largest economy is our greatest asset and our biggest hope for future generations.
Future Western Sydney will help light the way there.
This article is part of the Future Western Sydney series, which is proudly supported by Clubs NSW, Powerhouse, Transurban, Walker Corp, Western Sydney International Airport and Western Sydney University
Originally published as Future West 2025: Eyes on Western Sydney to solve city’s problems
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