Stratospheric dreams of a new city coming back to earth
As the federal government mobilizes millions to free urban developers from red tape, leaders want to avoid “naive promises” for a sprawling city.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor and NSW Premier Chris Minns were among those descending on the luggage lounge of Western Sydney International Airport for the Future Western Sydney event on Friday.
The first passengers are expected to land at the airport in October.
This region is positioned as the centerpiece of the state’s grand plans for western Sydney; More than 71,000 new residents will be absorbed each year, accounting for two-thirds of the city’s total growth by 2035, according to forecasts by consultancy KPMG.
NSW is set to spend more than $31 billion on the region’s schools, highways and metro lines over the next four years as state and federal governments try to accommodate the expansion.
But an overzealous development without consideration of the end result threatens to leave Sydneysiders in a bind, according to Mr Minns.
“We need to be a little careful about undoubtedly well-intentioned but sometimes naive promises about new projects,” he said.
He argued that caution should be exercised, drawing attention to the pressures of increasing inflation, interest rates and fuel prices.
“When you ask these basic questions, you don’t become a spoilsport or a party pooper,” he said.
Planning for tunnel vision also meant key support infrastructure risks were being neglected amid the madness, Business Western Sydney managing director David Borger told the forum.
He said the region needed more tourism infrastructure to attract visitors.
“I don’t think we’re ready for this,” Mr. Borger said.
“We’re seeing big international (hotel) brands … sitting in the bowels of some local councils for years and we can’t afford to do that.”
The Prime Minister has announced the federal government will grant $72.5 million to help accelerate development and planning reforms in NSW.
The money will be injected through the federal government’s productivity fund, which rewards state and territory governments for “good behavior” on housing policy.
The Prime Minister confirmed that any changes would be planned wisely to protect some communities from the ravages of overdevelopment.
“We did this to give these communities, particularly in western Sydney, a chance to breathe,” he said.
However, Mr. Minns said he would rather see the project go over budget than go over time.
Western Sydney International Airport will open on schedule after finally being given the green light in 2017 following decades of hesitation since the 1980s.
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