Blacktown City Council has released its draft 2026/27 Operational Plan and Budget, outlining $1.011 billion in planned investment to deliver essential services, major infrastructure and community facilities for one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities.
The draft Operational Plan and Budget is the first in Council’s history to exceed $1 billion.
A decade ago, Council’s budget was $563 million for a city of around 340,000 residents. Blacktown City now has more than 460,000 residents.
“This is a milestone budget for Blacktown City,” said Mayor, Brad Bunting.
“Blacktown City is growing quickly. That growth brings opportunity, but it also brings responsibility.
“This draft Operational Plan and Budget is about keeping essential services running, maintaining and renewing the assets our community already relies on, and delivering the infrastructure our growing city needs.
“Our job is to keep doing the everyday work people rely on, while planning properly for the future.”
The draft 2026/27 Operational Plan and Budget includes more than $292 million for major capital works across Blacktown City.
Across Mount Druitt, Council is progressing a major program of community infrastructure, including the redevelopment of Mount Druitt Swimming Centre, the expansion of the Mount Druitt Library and Community Hub, the expansion of PCYC Mount Druitt at Shalvey and new cultural infrastructure supporting community connection, learning and participation.
At Seven Hills, the new Community Hub will provide a permanent library, study spaces, meeting rooms and community facilities in the heart of the town centre.
Council is continuing to invest in sporting and recreation facilities across the city, including Ken Birdsey Park at Schofields, the completed expansion of Kevin Betts Stadium, the new Blacktown Disability Sports Centre, and upgrades to courts and playing fields at places such as Whalan Reserve, Rosenthal Park in Doonside and International Peace Park in Blacktown.
Cultural infrastructure also remains a major focus, with the new Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre and First Nations Cultural Grounds supporting local artists, creative industries, First Nations culture and community participation across Blacktown City.
“These are not just buildings or projects,” Mayor Bunting said.
“They are long-term investments in our community. They are places where people will learn, connect, play sport, celebrate culture, access services and spend time together.”
“This is a year of delivery for Blacktown City.”
While not part of Council’s capital works budget, Blacktown Quarter is another significant investment in the future of Blacktown City. The privately-led redevelopment is progressing in the Blacktown city centre and is expected to create jobs, attract further investment and support a more connected and walkable city centre.
The draft Budget includes $95 million for waste management and $61 million for parks and open space, supporting the maintenance of parks, reserves, sporting fields, playgrounds and public spaces across Blacktown City.
Kids’ Early Learning will receive $33 million, supporting early childhood education and care for local families, while a $27 million allocation will support aquatic, leisure, arts, community and recreation facilities.
Council’s public libraries will receive $12 million, supporting learning, access and opportunity across five library branches, the temporary library at Marsden Park and the Council’s Mobile Library Service.
The Budget includes $119 million for transport infrastructure, $8 million for street lighting, $9 million for street cleaning, and $27 million for planning services.
Mayor Bunting said, “Council’s budget funds the major projects people can see taking shape, and the everyday work that keeps our city moving.”
“This is the work people see every day, from bins being collected and parks being maintained, to roads being repaired, libraries opening and children learning in our early learning centres.”
“A Council budget has to fund the big projects and the everyday work that keeps the city running.”
The Mayor said the draft 2026/27 Operational Plan and Budget include income and expenditure associated with Council’s proposed Special Rate Variation, which remains subject to determination by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
He said Council will continue to provide clear information to the community through the exhibition period.
“Council is managing population growth, rising costs and increasing demand for services. At the same time, councils are dealing with cost shifting from other levels of government and rules that limit our revenue to support the community, even in a fast-growing city.”
“But this draft budget is not only about responding to pressure. It is about continuing delivery, maintaining essential services and planning carefully for what comes next,” Mayor Bunting said.
Between 13 May 2026 and 9 June 2026 residents can have their say on Blacktown City Council’s Draft Delivery Program 2025-2029, Operational Plan 2026/27 (including the budget), Draft Works Improvement Program 2026/27 (capital works), Draft Goods and Services Pricing Schedule 2026/27 (fees and charges), and the Draft Long-Term Financial Plan 2026-2036.
To view the documents and have your say, visit Council’s website at www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au or attend one of Council’s libraries.
