WestInvest funding boon for Blacktown

Premier Dominic Perrottet, Treasurer Matt Kean and Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman today announced $34.6 million in funding to Blacktown Council for six transformational projects:

• $26.8 million for the Revitalisation of Mount Druitt Hub project which will expand and modernise the existing community centre with a fully accessible library, art studios and cafes, to create an environment to learn, work and play
• $2.2 million for the Community Infrastructure in the Blacktown Local Government Area project which will upgrade three community and aquatic centres
• $2.1 million for the Reserve Embellishment - Tallawong Reserve and Rosenthal Park project which will upgrade two parks to provide improved play areas, pedestrian access, and sport and picnic areas.
• $1.6 million for the Community Park refurbishment at Ashley Brown Reserve North project which will enhance the aging sports ground to support the community's lifestyle, health and wellbeing
• $1.2 million for the Quality Green and Open Spaces in Blacktown LGA project which will deliver upgrades to sports fields and community infrastructure across five locations
• $708,600 for the Local Traffic Programs in Blacktown project which will enhance and improve streetscapes, and road and pedestrian safety.

As part of the WestInvest Fund, $2 billion was reserved for priority Community Projects. This included $400 million for 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in West and South West Sydney, with each local council eligible for between $20 million and $35 million, depending on population size.

Mr Perrottet said the projects put forward by the Blacktown City Council would help to build a brighter future for the people of Western Sydney.

"Blacktown has the highest population of our 15 WestInvest Local Government Areas and these projects put forward by Blacktown Council will fund projects across the LGA to deliver real benefits to the community," Mr Perrottet said.

"WestInvest, which has been made possible by our successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy, is helping make one of our fastest growing areas an even better place for families to live, work and play."

Mr Kean said the Revitalisation of the Mount Druitt Hub project will create a central meeting point that will help improve literacy and bolster the local economy.

"This facility will deliver a fully accessible library, art studios, cafes and additional opportunities for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to be explored and celebrated," Mr Kean said.

Mrs Tuckerman said the swimming centre upgrades will provide a refuge to the summer heat for families and tourists alike.

"Thanks to WestInvest, new outdoor Splash Pad's at Riverstone Aquatic Centre and Charlie Lowles Swimming Centre will be available for residents to cool off in the hot summer months," Mrs Tuckerman said.

"Blacktown Council specifically highlighted the impact on the community of the increasing number of 35 degree days in their WestInvest funding application. These swimming centre upgrades as well as the new and revitalised parks and reserves will help to reduce the heat impact."

Parliamentary Secretary for Western Sydney Shayne Mallard MP said the Local Traffic Programs in Blacktown project will create safer travel by car, bicycle and foot.

"This project will also deliver shading and canopy cover from tree planting on local roads to reduce the Western Sydney heat island effect," Mr Mallard said.

Announcements on other LGAs will be made soon.

The $5 billion WestInvest program was made possible by the Government's successful WestConnex asset recycling strategy.

A further $1.6 billion from the $2 billion Community Project Grants is available to local community groups.

A total of $3 billion is also set aside to deliver transformational projects that will benefit local communities, led by NSW Government agencies.

To find out more about visit WestInvest.