Last week’s State Budget was a prime opportunity to put Parramatta and its surrounding suburbs front and centre.
It’s no secret our people and businesses need whatever help the Berejiklian government can provide. At 9.3 per cent, Parramatta has one of the state’s highest unemployment rates. The number of people without a job has risen by about 10,000 since February.
So how did we fare? While the chance for a “Parramatta CBD stimulus” was missed – which would have financially compensated businesses for the light rail construction – the government has announced many measures whose success will be judged in the months ahead.
It is offering payroll tax reductions to large businesses and $1500 vouchers to help local businesses pay fees and charges. But only about 10 per cent of small businesses benefited from the first round of $10,000 grants in April – so it’s vital this emergency cash gets to those who need it. Among other bipartisan moves that will help local mums and dads, free community preschool is being extended for up to 15 hours a week (although the Federal Government has ended the free program for the much larger group of families needing childcare).
I also wrote three weeks ago how Treasurer Dominic Perrottet should directly incentivise people to spend in Parramatta shops and it’s great to see this taken up.
Offering every adult four $25 vouchers to spend in cafes, restaurants and entertainment venues is designed to drive a “local-led” recovery in the sectors hit hardest.
But with NSW already deep in recession, the government will take until early 2021 to get its vouchers out the door – several months after the UK, South Australia and Northern Territory implemented similar schemes. It’s also disappointing the Sydney CBD has been chosen as the pilot location when CBDs like Parramatta would have loved an immediate boost.
Of course, budgets are investments in tomorrow, not just today. Here in Parramatta, it’s increasingly clear some projects are on track while others are hitting serious trouble.
The Westmead Hospital redevelopment is due to be completed in coming years. However, the soaring population and strain on existing services means that such capacity upgrades (here and at the Children’s Hospital) are needed just to stand still.
In transport, a $10.4 billion downpayment has been made on Metro West, scheduled for 2030.
However, the absence of funding for stage two of the Parramatta light rail (or even an alternative like trackless trams) risks leaving stage one to Carlingford as a white elephant.
While those who can afford to pay ever-increasing tolls will welcome the completion of WestConnex by 2023, its full privatisation comes at a price. Every time that beep goes off in our cars, every cent is going to a private company – not to improve our public services.
Finally, a big area where the government has dropped the ball is upgrading overcrowded local schools.
Those clogged with demountable classrooms like Carlingford West Public were promised relief for years, but it’s taken until now for a real budget commitment. Meanwhile, the likes of Girraween, Epping West and Westmead (promised a new school back in 2018) continue to wait and wait.
It’s a pity. Fast-tracking this school infrastructure in a recession could help the government stimulate the economy today and invest in tomorrow.
The Parramatta region desperately needs it to do both.
Alan is a journalist and communications specialist. He writes a weekly column for Parra News.