The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), has welcomed measures in the Federal Budget aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures and supporting infrastructure delivery, but says the Budget misses an opportunity to address the long-term funding challenges facing local government.
WSROC President and Blacktown City Council Mayor, Brad Bunting said support for households experiencing cost-of-living pressures would be welcomed across Western Sydney communities.
“Western Sydney families continue to face significant pressure from housing costs, rents and everyday expenses, so measures that provide relief to households are important and necessary,” President Bunting said.
WSROC also welcomed investment to support enabling infrastructure linked to new housing development.
“Councils support targeted investments that help unlock housing supply and deliver the infrastructure communities need,” President Bunting said.
“However, the scale of growth planned for Western Sydney means councils are being asked to deliver more roads, drainage, parks, libraries, community facilities and climate resilience infrastructure than ever before.
“A focus on delivering social infrastructure is crucial now that housing number targets have been set, as will mapping delivery of infrastructure, given how council financial frameworks confront many challenges going forward.
“It is essential that both federal and state governments work cooperatively to meet those challenges.
“While the Budget includes some positive targeted measures, it does not address the broader structural funding pressures facing local government.”
The Blacktown Mayor said councils were critical delivery partners for both the Federal and State Governments, particularly in fast-growing regions like Western Sydney.
“Councils are on the frontline of delivering the infrastructure and services communities rely on every day, but the current funding model is not keeping pace with population growth, rising costs and increasing community expectations,” he said.
“Western Sydney councils are being asked to support significant housing growth, while also responding to extreme heat, flood resilience and growing demand for local services.
He said WSROC wanted to continue working closely with the Federal and NSW Governments to support housing delivery, infrastructure investment and resilient communities across the region.
“Western Sydney is one of the fastest growing regions in the country and councils want to work collaboratively with all levels of government to ensure communities have the infrastructure, services and resilience they need for the future,” he said.
