Residents of West and South West Sydney are another step closer to enjoying transformational infrastructure projects, with the $2 billion WestInvest Community Project Grants open to eligible applicants today.
More than 1,000 local organisations that successfully submitted a registration of interest (ROI) for a share of $1.6 billion in WestInvest funding, can now progress to the application stage which is open for eight weeks.
The 15 eligible local councils can today also lodge their applications for a share in $400 million in direct funding, with each council eligible for between $20 million and $35 million, depending on population size.
Treasurer Matt Kean said WestInvest projects will secure the best quality of life for families and make local communities even better places to live.
“We saw a huge response to the WestInvest ROI process, with proposals worth billions of dollars from Burwood to the Blue Mountains, and from Wollondilly to the Hawkesbury,” Mr Kean said.
“We look forward to seeing shovels in the ground soon to bring these projects to life. We hope to be able to award WestInvest grants from November this year and see these local community projects delivered shortly after.”
Minister for Enterprise and Trade, and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the ROI applications showed a rich diversity which matched the Western Sydney population.
“Applicants include Aboriginal groups, sporting groups, multicultural groups, volunteer groups, religious groups and many more, all with great ideas to improve their local communities,” Ayres said.
“Western Sydney is home to one of the fastest growing and most diverse populations in the nation. It is incredibly pleasing to see the community is keen to partner with us on projects that will deliver enormous benefits.”
Kean said the majority of ROI submissions proposed more green and open space and community infrastructure, a result consistent with the WestInvest Have Your Say survey findings.
“Local Western Sydney communities have called for more walking and cycling paths, pools and sports centres, multicultural centres, museums celebrating food and culture and footbridges over cleaner rivers,” Mr Kean said.
“I urge all applicants with a successful ROI to complete their application before 27 June at 5.00pm.”
The $5 billion WestInvest program is designed to fund city-changing infrastructure projects that will enhance communities, with $3 billion set aside for NSW Government agencies to deliver transformational projects that are ready to go.
