NSW budget delivers historic investment in Western Sydney

The Minns Labor Government has made a historic multi-billion-dollar investment in Sydney’s west, after more than a decade of neglect of the area’s education, transport and infrastructure needs by the Liberals.

The NSW Budget shows the Minns Labor Government will invest $3.5 billion over four years to deliver a massive pipeline of new and upgraded schools in Western Sydney.

This record spend, over four years, will go to 24 new and 51 upgraded primary and high schools in Western Sydney.

This important investment comes after 12 years under the Liberals and Nationals where too many growing Western Sydney communities were promised new schools that were not delivered.

Cost of living relief is also on the way for Western Sydney families, as the Minns Labor Government invests $550 million to implement its $60 weekly toll cap in January, benefitting 700,000 motorists.

A motorist in Parramatta will be able to claim back an average of $504 a year while a driver in Silverwater will be able to claim back approximately $475 a year. This toll relief will be provided in addition to the existing Toll Rebate Scheme and the M5 South-West Cashback Scheme.

The Minns Labor Government will also make $13.7 billion worth of investments in the health sector, after the Liberals presided over a decade of decline in this essential service.

The Government will also make significant infrastructure investments in Parramatta, including:

• $200 million for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2

• $43 million for seven new Australian-made Parramatta River Class ferries

• $40 million to upgrade Riverside Theatres to a Lyric theatre.

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• $140 million to upgrade Hill Road

• New Carter Street Primary School

• New Wentworth Point High School

• New Melrose Park High School

• Wentworth Point Public School Stage 2

• Upgrade to Dundas Public School

This budget delivers long overdue investment in our frontline workers, including our nurses, paramedics, healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters and prison guards. This investment ends the unfair wages with a 4.5 per cent pay rise for over 400,000 public sector employees—the biggest pay rise in a decade.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“This Budget delivers for the people of Western Sydney and gives them the fresh start they voted for.

“The Western Sydney community has been taken for granted by the Liberals and the Nationals for too long.

“Many people are struggling to make ends meet every day, and investments like weekly toll relief will make a real difference to these families.

“There are also families in Western Sydney who have been waiting for schools to be built in their areas for long periods of time, and as Education Minister, I am dedicated to making sure these shortfalls are quickly addressed.”

Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis MP said:

“Parramatta Electorate consists of some of the fastest growing suburbs in our state and this budget ensures that work begins in earnest to support that growth.”

“This is a budget that will help those doing it tough with cost-of-living pressures”.

“This first Labor budget in 12 years also puts a stop to the salary wage cap so we can recruit and retain the people we need to deliver essential services in Western Sydney.”

“Finally, Western Sydney is receiving the significant investment it needs from a NSW Government”.

“I am very proud to be working with my colleagues in the Minns Labor Government to deliver positive, constructive outcomes for our community.”