Hundreds of local organisations in West and South West Sydney are now competing for a share of $1.6 billion under the WestInvest Community Project Grants – Competitive Round.
Treasurer Matt Kean said organisations from Burwood to the Blue Mountains, and Wollondilly to the Hawkesbury stepped up in numbers with ideas for city-shaping infrastructure projects.
“We’ve received an overwhelming response with almost 680 projects worth $7.8 billion submitted for assessment,” Mr Kean said.
“The majority of projects sought funding to make local communities in West and South West Sydney even better places to live with open and green spaces.”
WestInvest funding was available to Aboriginal groups, sporting groups, multicultural groups, volunteer groups and many more based in 15 eligible local council areas.
A breakdown of the applications in the WestInvest Community Project Grants – Competitive Round shows:
- Almost 680 projects have been submitted for assessment
- 325 applications related to green and open space projects
- 270 applications related to community infrastructure projects
- 180 groups applied for projects worth $1 million and under
- 296 groups applied for projects worth over $1 million and under $10 million
- 201 groups applied for projects worth over $10 million
The 15 eligible local councils also submitted 71 projects under the WestInvest Community Project Grants – Local Government Allocation, which awarded each council a share of $400 million in funding, based on population size.
Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said councils are at the heart of every community.
“WestInvest is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will celebrate and improve local communities for generations to come,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
“The 15 local councils of Western Sydney have submitted some fantastic ideas for consideration, and I’m really looking forward to seeing some of these projects come to life, to invigorate their local precincts and facilities for their residents.”
All applications will now go through a comprehensive assessment process, with the successful projects expected to be announced in the Local Government Allocation from September and the Competitive Round later this year.
The project proposals include:
- Transforming city centres and precincts to celebrate community, food and culture;
- Creating safer cycling paths, pedestrian links and walking tracks to promote healthier lifestyles and allow more families to walk to school;
- Upgrading and modernising community facilities and libraries; and
- Building new pools, sports fields, playgrounds, youth centers, multicultural centres and leisure and fitness centres.
The $5 billion WestInvest program also includes $3 billion to deliver transformational projects that will benefit local communities, led by NSW Government agencies.
The Budget committed $478.2 million from the $3 billion fund to modernise and upgrade nine public schools. Further projects funded under the WestInvest NSW Government allocation will be announced later this year.
