Some significant cash is set to be splashed in Sydney’s second city, following the hand down of the 2021-22 NSW Budget today.
Boosting the economy, job creation and keeping people safe were the core messages from State Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, with a number of local projects to benefit.
Spending in the Parramatta area will include:
- $2.9 billion capital expenditure in 2021-22, ($12.0 billion over four years), to progress construction of Sydney Metro West.
- $657 million capital expenditure in 2021-22 to continue construction of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 and to continue planning for Stage 2.
- $101.4 million in 2021-22 for the more than $1.6 billion development of the Westmead Precinct.
- $7.9 billion to be invested in 215 new and upgraded schools over the next four years across NSW. The Parramatta area schools set to receive part of this funding include upgrades to Cumberland High School, Rydalmere Education Campus and Carlingford West Public School as well as funding stage 2 of Wentworth Point Public School and a new primary school for Westmead South and high school for Sydney Olympic Park.
- $156.2 million in 2021-22 towards continuing plans for the Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta, as well as funding for the Castle Hill Museum Discovery Centre.
- $10 million innovation fund for the Westmead Health and Innovation District to establish new infrastructure, including shared lab space and an incubator for start-ups that will commercialise globally leading research in biotechnology, diagnostics and digital health.
- $126 million over four years to establish a new fit-for-purpose NSW Ambulance state operations centre at Sydney Olympic Park, which will also house the Triple Zero (000) call centre.
Local community organisations will also be eligible for funding grants through the extension of the Community Building Partnership Program.
The program will receive an additional $18.6 million injection over two years.
Parramatta MP Geoff Lee said all types of community organisations will be eligible for these grants and encouraged all eligible groups to apply.
“I also echo the Treasurer’s words that this Budget locks in our strong recovery and this funding boost is about building up our communities and supporting them with facilities and infrastructure they can enjoy in the years ahead,” he said.
Other large commitments included learn to swim vouchers for kids, investments in community sport, refugee communities and mental health services, with shortfalls for reducing cost of living, home buyers and social housing.
Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou slammed the Budget for a lack of investment in Cumberland’s health infrastructure.
“It’s devastating and outrageous to see that Cumberland City Council residents have been neglected in state health funding again,” he said.
“The Health Minister and Treasurer bragged about a “record $30.2 billion for health care”, yet we’ll see a paltry amount.
“Cumberland City Council is home to low socioeconomic communities, vulnerable people and diverse communities, so better health funding is essential.”
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.