Wollondilly Mayor Robert Khan has welcomed the announcement of a new $5 billion investment by the NSW Government for western and south-western Sydney, calling for money to be invested in fast tracking infrastructure to support local jobs and economic recovery for the growing Wollondilly area.

The WestInvest fund has been set up by the NSW Government to help build new and improved facilities and local infrastructure to support communities impacted by Covid-19.

The funding has been made available following the Government’s sale of its remaining 49 per cent stake in WestConnex.

Mayor Khan said, “Wollondilly Council is calling on the NSW Government to invest in priority infrastructure for our growing community.”

“Boosting housing supply is the biggest economic priority for the NSW Government, and the best way to boost housing supply is invest in infrastructure needed for growing communities”.  

“Our new town in Wilton is here now and growing every day as more families move in. We’re calling on the NSW Government to use WestInvest to fast-track planned infrastructure including public transport, schools, water supplies, health and recreational facilities.”  

“We need an electrified rail line to both Picton and Wilton to connect us to other major centres and make sure our current and future residents have safe and accessible transport options,” he said.

“The Picton Bypass is also a key priority which would connect the growing Thirlmere and Tahmoor with Wilton and provide emergency bushfire evacuation to avoid the shocking scenes in 2019 when our roads were gridlocked as the bushfires approached”.

“Investment in tourism infrastructure such as the Great Burragorang Valley Walk would also be a huge boon for our area."

"What we do not want to see however is these funds spent on raising the Warragamba Dam Wall, which is strongly opposed by Council."

“The WestInvest fund is an opportunity for the State Government to provide this significant infrastructure now, so it can be in place before our population increases further.”

“This investment would also create jobs that will boost our local economy following the challenges of bushfires, floods and Covid-19 our community has experienced over the last two years.”