New state-of-the-art sporting facilities, walking and cycling tracks to connect communities and a range of arts and environmental projects will be funded through the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government's $5 billion WestInvest program.
Premier Dominic Perrottet and Treasurer Matt Kean today announced more than $268.9 million for councils and community groups in the Blue Mountains and Penrith to deliver 30 transformational infrastructure projects.
The announcement takes the total projects funded through the $1.6 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants - Competitive Round to 51 with further successful projects to be announced in the coming weeks.
The 30 projects announced in the Blue Mountains and Penrith today include:
- $106.7 million for the Penrith City Council to deliver a huge new indoor multi-sports arena in Claremont Meadows.
- $40 million for The Salvation Army (NSW) Property Trust to deliver the Greater West Sydney Oasis - a collaborative community arts and cultural hub in St Marys.
- $24.4 million for the Blue Mountains City Council for four active transport projects that provide missing links to encourage more people to walk and cycle around the beautiful world heritage-listed asset:
- $14 million to deliver 24km of active transport links, improving connections between 27 towns and villages in the Blue Mountains.
- $5.6 million to add 1.9km between Kiah and Echo Point to the Great Blue Mountains Trail providing the missing link from Leura Station to Scenic World and the Katoomba Golf Course Precinct.
- $2.6 million for a new 3.8km off-road shared path link along Singles Ridge Road, Yellow Rock, between Vendetta Road and Yellow Rock Road in Winmalee.
- $2.2 million to add 2km to the Great Blue Mountains Trail on Cliff Drive between Narrow Neck Road and Acacia Street in Katoomba.
- $9.1 million for We Help Ourselves (WHOS) to deliver the West Multi Function Alcohol and other Drug Centre in St Marys.
- $8.2 million for Penrith City Council to deliver the City Park Urban Retreat project for a new 7000sqm green heart in the city centre featuring gardens, water features, public art and natural shade for people to relax, play and be active.
- $5 million for the Penrith City Council to upgrade the Penrith nursery to help green the city and protect threatened ecological communities including the Cumberland Plain Woodland.
- $815,827 for The Eleanor Dark Foundation to help deliver an architect-designed cultural hub for workshops, literary events and writing groups in the Blue Mountains.
- $427,500 for the Mulgoa Valley Landcare Group Inc to support the Mulgoa Creek Connecting Community with Healthy Habitats project to restore local biodiversity and habitat with a special focus on protecting the platypus.
Mr Perrottet said the exciting new projects will secure a brighter future for local communities.
"The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government created WestInvest to deliver local infrastructure that will improve livability in Western Sydney and that is exactly what we are doing," Mr Perrottet said.
"We are making a huge array of projects in the Blue Mountains and Penrith a reality, helping to deliver the playgrounds, cultural centres, sporting fields and facilities the people of Western Sydney deserve.
Mr Kean said many of the projects funded in the Blue Mountains focus on better connecting the much loved and world-renowned area.
"The Blue Mountains is one of our most treasured natural attractions and these projects will ensure more locals and visitors can explore and enjoy its beauty," Mr Kean said.
"The 4 active transport projects will connect towns and villages and encourage more people to walk and cycle around this spectacular area."
Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said the projects announced today provide a huge boost to sporting organisations.
"The new state-of-the-art indoor sports arena in Claremont Meadows will deliver 8 new multi-sports courts to accommodate just about every kind of indoor sport you can imagine," Mr Ayres said.
"This project will provide a cool, all-weather facility to support netball, basketball, volleyball, futsal, squash, roller skating and so much more. This arena will encourage young people to take up and excel in new sports, supporting a healthy lifestyle."
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said the $427,500 for the Mulgoa Valley Landcare Group Inc will ensure they can continue to undertake critical work in restoring the riparian corridor of Mulgoa Creek, with a special focus on protecting the platypus.
"The Mulgoa Valley Landcare Group has been rehabilitating a 10km stretch of Mulgoa Creek for more than 27 years," Mrs Davies said.
"This WestInvest funding will help them to continue their incredible work to restore biodiversity and habitat within the Mulgoa Valley by delivering interpretive signage to educate and engage community along the riparian corridor of Mulgoa."
More than 680 applicants submitted a WestInvest application to the value of more than $7.9 billion. The successful projects were announced after a comprehensive assessment process outlined in the WestInvest Community Project Grant Guidelines. All unsuccessful applicants will be offered a 1:1 feedback session.
A full list of projects announced today can be found on the WestInvest website.
