The Hills Shire Council's petition on the NSW Parliament's website for better roads, more schools and more sports fields came to a close on Friday, 5 September after more than 20,000 concerned residents signed up to say they've had enough.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne said the Fight for a Fairer Hills Future campaign meant the NSW Government could no longer claim they're doing enough to support the infrastructure needs of Hills residents, businesses and visitors.
"Thanks to the more than 20,000 concerned locals and stakeholders who signed the petition, The Hills Shire's infrastructure needs will be debated in NSW Parliament in the coming weeks," Mayor Byrne said.
"During the campaign, the following was announced – a $220 million upgrade for Windsor Road, funding for infrastructure and a pop-up school for Box Hill, and more parking for Kellyville Metro on a temporary basis.
"While there's more we need the Government to commit to, including the funding for 45 road upgrades and 40 sports fields as well as the construction of 14 new schools for The Hills, our campaign has hit a nerve.
"We know the NSW Government is upset by the campaign. We have sent a clear message to the Government that our infrastructure concerns are valid and cannot be ignored any longer. We are not a NIMBY Council and alongside Blacktown, the North West is doing the heavy lifting in housing.
"The Government is keen to herald the fact that they're adding 600 classrooms across The Hills and North West Sydney but ask any parent at one of our public schools and they'll tell you that's nowhere near enough.
"The NSW Government's recent housing reforms have piled more housing on top of what was already planned for The Hills. This doesn't just impact Hills residents either – anyone living in the Hawkesbury and Blacktown LGAs will know our roads, schools, hospitals and playgrounds are overrun.
"No matter where you look in Greater Western Sydney, our population growth is out of control and access to basic services is severely hampered. Just look at our hospitals, police and Fire and Rescue – almost all services are suffering from the impact of rapid population growth.
"The Premier has acknowledged the heavy lifting The Hills is doing for the housing crisis. The Government's defence is to blame the rapid population growth and lack of infrastructure on previous governments. While successive governments have contributed, we need the current NSW Government to have a better plan to tackle our population growth instead of unclear funding announcements and past funding commitments not backed by a delivery program.
"I was pleased the Federal Government stepped in with the $220 million upgrade for Windsor Road. Given they are responsible for our population growth rate, it's only fair they shoulder the burden of improving infrastructure and services to support their population growth.
"I'd like to thank every single person who supported our campaign by signing the petition and spreading the word. I'd also like to thank my fellow Councillors and Council staff who were on the ground beside me explaining our campaign in shopping centres, sports fields, progress associations, and more.
"We still have a long way to go before our infrastructure needs are met, but this campaign has shown our community is determined to advocate for the basics we need in the face of an unprecedented population boom."
During the six-month Fight for a Fairer Hills Future campaign:
- The petition on the NSW Parliament's website received over 20,000 signatures. Any petition that receives over 20,000 signatures must be debated by the Legislative Assembly. This means when the matter is tabled, the concerns of our residents will be heard and debated by decision-makers, and the Government will be required to respond.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed $220 million to upgrade Windsor Road at Rouse Hill. An additional $20 million was committed for a planning study to improve travel times on Old Windsor Road, between Kellyville and Northmead.
- A pop-up high school in Box Hill was announced to cater to Year 7-8 students while a more permanent facility is built.
- The NSW Government announced $11.7 million in funding for three Box Hill projects - the construction of The Water Lane, land acquisition towards a new fire station and the planning and design of the Terry Road Upgrade.
- The NSW Government announced a temporary overflow car park at Kellyville Metro Station will be implemented for 150 additional parking spaces until mid-2026.
For more information about the campaign, visit: www.fairerhillsfuture.com.au
