Mayor of Liverpool Wendy Waller has urged the Federal and NSW Government to strengthen its commitment and investment to crystallise the City of Liverpool as Sydney’s third CBD, as post-COVID-19 economic recovery efforts get underway.
Liverpool City Council is currently seeking immediate funding for $445 million worth of major infrastructure, city-shaping projects designed to deliver tremendous enhancements to the overall lifestyle and wellbeing of its residents. Delivery of these projects would see improvement of public spaces within the City Centre, critical social infrastructure, enhancements to Council’s cultural and community facilities and the transformation of Woodward Park into a ‘Uniquely Liverpool’ social, cultural and recreational hub.
The growing calls for more investment in Liverpool follow NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s announcement of the new WestInvest Fund last week. The funding boost for South West and Western Sydney will support the delivery of new and improved facilities and local infrastructure across 14 councils and communities which have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Waller simultaneously welcomed the generosity of the NSW Government and called for a fair and equitable distribution of the $5 billion pool of funds, noting Liverpool has fallen short in receiving grant funding from the state government in recent years.
“Many councils included in the Fund have already received a fair share of funding over many years and we celebrate their growth and achievements as they contribute to the success story of South West and Western Sydney. However, this doesn’t erase the fact that Liverpool’s time is now,” Mayor Waller said.
“Liverpool is undergoing catalytic change on many fronts as part of the broader region’s growth journey. Western Sydney is not only growing out but growing up.
“We see tremendous synergy between our infrastructure projects and what the NSW Government is trying to achieve through the WestInvest Fund. Premier Gladys Berejiklian has expressed the Fund will make a real difference to quality of life, help create jobs in the process, and change the face of Western Sydney for the better – our projects tick all three boxes.”
Mayor Waller implored the Government to strike while the iron is hot, with the pandemic opening the door to deliver necessary infrastructure that will further increase the liveability of Liverpool and bolster the local jobs market in the post-pandemic environment.
“We have Western Sydney International Airport on our doorstep, a young diverse and growing population and an innovation precinct where health, research and education are being reimagined by leading researchers every day. These are all testament to Liverpool’s growing reputation as a globally connected city.
“However, we continue to face challenges around liveability and connectedness in our own backyard. These challenges are becoming more urgent by the year, as the need for efficient public transport, improved infrastructure and sustainable, quality public spaces increase with our ever-growing population,” Mayor Waller said.
Population projections indicate that by 2041, the population of Liverpool will increase by almost 60 per cent from 242,817 to more than 386,646.
Mayor Waller delivered this message in a meeting with NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet earlier this month when discussing an economic repair package for the region.
“As one of the hardest hit regions, the pandemic has both strengthened our resilience and reinforced the need for more investment from higher levels of Government and partners,” Mayor Waller.
Council’s major infrastructure projects requiring funding include:
- The Liverpool City Centre Public Domain Masterplan – Adopted by Council in 2020, this is a 10-year vision and improvement plan for public spaces within the Liverpool City Centre, as it continues to develop into Sydney’s third CBD, and gateway city to the new Western Sydney International Airport and Aerotropolis.
- Woodward Place – Council’s bold vision to transform Woodward Park into Woodward Place – a bespoke lifestyle precinct with premier cultural festivities, state-of-the-art regional facilities and high-value leisure and recreational spaces.
- Fifteenth Avenue Smart Transit (FAST) Corridor – Council’s flagship project is a visionary city-shaping high quality public transport link between the Liverpool CBD and Western Sydney International Airport.
- The Light Horse Park – Improvement works to improve the connection of the Liverpool City Centre to the Georges River.
- Enhancements to Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre and Parklands – Levels 3 and 4 of Liverpool’s pre-eminent art facility presents an opportunity to further embed cultural and business spaces.
- Carnes Hill Community and Recreation Precinct – Council has developed a Masterplan for Stage Two of this Precinct to offer a wide range of integrated recreation activities for the community through aquatic facilities, sport fields and outdoor recreation facilities.
- Renewal of social infrastructure – Council’s vision for the Miller Town Centre is to create a safe and sociable environment that will serve a variety of community needs by providing diversified retail, community services, public open space, and a combination of housing options.
- Sinozich Park – A significant recreational space along Cabramatta Creek in Edmondson Park, Sinozich Park is identified for active recreation including grass sports fields, associated amenities building and a children’s playground.
