Wollondilly Shire has been let down following the announcement of the WestInvest Competitive Community Grants this week after receiving significantly less than neighbouring councils; however, there is a silver lining with three projects given the go ahead.
With over $2.5 billion in WestInvest funding still to be allocated, Mayor Matt Gould has called for the Picton Bypass to be funded to demonstrate that the NSW Government values the Wollondilly community.
“The Picton Bypass was the most popular project when the government asked for community feedback on where WestInvest should be spent, so as the clear people’s favourite I call on the Premier to make sure the community’s voice is heard,” said the Mayor.
“We know the funding is available, now’s the time to make it happen.”
Council was successful in receiving $10 million which will go towards an upgrade for Waterboard Oval, Warragamba; pathway and kerb and gutter construction at Chandos Street, Yanderra; and implementation of the next phase of the Redbank Reserve Master Plan at Picton.
Tharawal Land Council was also allocated $925,000 to approve campsite accommodation facilities, however many other community groups across the Shire missed out.
With $1.6 billion of the funding round going to projects across 15 eligible LGAs in Western Sydney and Wollondilly’s neighbouring councils receiving over $50 million, Mayor Gould has expressed his frustration that Wollondilly has received such a small percentage of the available funding.
“While this funding will help us move forward with three important community projects, there is absolutely no question that we have been short-changed.”
“I am particularly unhappy to see that only one project put forward by a community organisation other than Council received funding in our Shire, despite the fact that there were some very deserving projects put forward by our community.”
“The people of Wollondilly have been badly let down by the State Government, and I hope that this isn’t another example of them playing favourites at our expense.”
“Hawkesbury, which is the Council in the program we are most similar to, received $121 million worth of projects – yet we will receive less than 10% of that even though some of the projects we applied for were very similar to those funded in other LGAs.”
“The WestInvest program was intended to help play catch-up with badly needed infrastructure investment in councils in and around the fringes of Western Sydney, yet clearly this has not been the outcome for Wollondilly.”
“I will be putting forward a Mayoral Minute at the next Council meeting seeking a Freedom of Information request on how these projects were assessed and why Wollondilly has received less than 1% of the available funding.”
“I will also be calling for an urgent independent public inquiry and review into the $1.6 billion funding, with no funding deeds signed until it is complete.”
“The desperately needed Picton Bypass received by far the most votes in the WestInvest government round of funding, yet has still not received any funding to date.”
Council will be providing feedback to the WestInvest Program in relation to the 19 unsuccessful projects, and will continue to apply for any State or Federal Government funding opportunities that arise.
