Liverpool City Council's successful campaign to get funding for a missing major road link to Western Sydney International Airport has won a prestigious award.
It took home a Highly Commended Award in the Special Project Initiative – Population Over 150,000 category at the 2025 NSW Local Government Professionals Awards, in recognition of its groundbreaking campaign Upgrade Fifteenth Avenue Now: A Transformative Advocacy Initiative.
The award acknowledges the Council's strategic, community-driven approach to addressing a critical infrastructure challenge that resulted in a landmark $1 billion funding commitment from both the NSW and Federal Governments to upgrade Fifteenth Avenue – a vital east-west transport corridor connecting the Western Sydney International Airport to the Liverpool City Centre.
Mayor Ned Mannoun praised the achievement: "As the saying goes, 'failure is an orphan, success has many fathers', so this award is the ultimate paternity test. It confirms that Liverpool Council is delivering real outcomes for our growing city, and doing so in close partnership with our community."
The campaign responded to mounting concerns about traffic congestion, safety and future growth in south-west Sydney. With more than 22,000 vehicles using Fifteenth Avenue daily and rapid urban expansion in Austral and surrounding suburbs, the need for an upgraded, future-proofed transport corridor had become urgent.
The advocacy strategy included strong stakeholder partnerships, extensive community consultation, a high-impact social media campaign that reached over 600,000 people, and the successful lodging of a Parliamentary petition. This multi-pronged effort built an irrefutable case for investment in the corridor.
"This recognition is not just about a successful campaign," Mayor Mannoun said. "It's about the power of a united community and a determined Council that made its voice heard across all levels of government. This is the kind of leadership Liverpool deserves — strategic, inclusive, and effective."
"The award highlights the potential of local government to drive large-scale change when equipped with vision, coordination, and strong civic backing. It is also a testament to the collaborative spirit across Council directorates and the professionalism of its staff," he said.
