Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue

WATCH 📹 | A Look Back at 2024 With a big year of policy, projects and advocacy coming to an end, it's only right we reflect on some of the success in the West in 2024. It has been a stellar year for the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, and we were pleased to elevate our engagement with our partners and stakeholders across a range of sectors to advocate for better outcomes for the region. But the advocacy doesn't stop. With a federal election in the first half of next year, our team is already working hard to lead a national conversation about Greater Western Sydney, and we look forward to working with you all on bigger and better projects in 2025. Until then, have a safe and happy holidays.

After almost a decade of advocacy, the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue has today welcomed the official opening of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1. Dialogue CEO, Adam Leto, was up at first light with some of the friendly volunteers for a first trip on the new project, labelling Parramatta Light Rail’s opening as an outstanding triumph of successive state and local governments which have delivered Western Sydney’s first light rail project. “This vital link has been over a decade in the making and will underpin the growth of the Greater Parramatta region for decades to come,” Mr Leto said. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment from governments at all levels, including the City of Parramatta Council, which planted the initial seeds of this project.” “We’re glad NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen are keeping the momentum going for Parramatta Light Rail stage two and look forward to working with stakeholders to continue the drive for growth and prosperity in the region".

The season of giving! Over the month of December, the Dialogue was proud to recognise some of the exceptional students and successful community initiatives that are making a big difference in the region. This included the Jason Clare MP Scholarship (Cabramatta Public School) and Sally Sitou Scholarship (Canley Vale Public School) which were presented by Dialogue Chairman Christopher Brown AM, and CEO Adam Leto, recently. Named in honour of the school’s former students, the scholarships were awarded to high achievers who are committed to academic excellence and community participation. The Dialogue was also pleased to support Mark Wright and Mayor Chagai and Savannah Pride’s community awards night at Mt Druitt PCYC recently, where students, volunteers and coaches were honoured for their outstanding community efforts. And finally, we’ve also just finalised the list of Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Scholarship recipients for 2025, administered through the Public Education Foundation, and providing senior high school students across the region with financial support during their final years of study. We look forward to announcing the names of the students, in partnership with the Public Education Foundation, in the new year. David Riordan, Creagh Margaret

All Aboard Parramatta Light Rail   Fantastic news overnight that the first stage of the transformational Parramatta Light Rail has been given the green light to begin services to the public with regulatory approval now confirmed.   It's been a journey more than a decade in the making, and much like it has done in other cities across the nation, is set to have a transformative impact.   As one of the early champions for the project we're proud to see our advocacy and the hard work of NSW government, City of Parramatta and the private sector finally come to fruition ahead of its official opening. This landmark $2.8 billion project will connect Westmead to Carlingford via Parramatta’s CBD with a 12-kilometre track and 16 accessible light rail stops.   It has been truly worth the wait!   Congratulations Minister Jo Haylen, Transport for NSW, Josh Murray, CPB Contractors

Billion-Dollar Bid to Tackle GWS Childcare Deserts Today, the Dialogue has welcomed the federal government’s billion-dollar pledge to put an end to childcare deserts in Greater Western Sydney (GWS). Dialogue CEO, Adam Leto, welcomed the step as a win for parents, children and the region's future. “The mums and dads of Western Sydney have had to travel too far, pay too much, or wait too long to access quality and affordable childcare,” Mr Leto said. The federal government’s $1 billion-a-year guarantee to build more childcare centres and offer three days of free childcare for families earning under $530,000 per year will prove a major cost-of-living relief for GWS families, and help ensure the growth and prosperity of the region continues. The latest national data from Victoria University reveals almost half of Greater Western Sydney is considered a childcare desert, where there are more than three children for each place available in a childcare centre. Data also reveals six GWS statistical areas including parts of Blacktown, Rouse Hill and Bringelly, experienced a price hike of more than 24% in the last three years. “This is a massive boost for the families of the West and will give children a chance to thrive,” Mr Leto said. Karitane Grainne O. Jason Clare MP Anthony Albanese Prue Car Lauren N.

It’s Not The Full Hog, But It’s A Good Start The Dialogue has long advocated for multicultural broadcaster SBS to be relocated to the West. Today’s news that an SBS hub will be opened in Western Sydney is welcomed as a good start, but it won’t stop our campaigning for a full move to Australia’s multicultural heartland in the future.   The Government today announced that a TV studio, radio and podcasts booths and collaboration spaces would be opened in Western Sydney, but said a full relocation was too costly.   As Dialogue Chairman Christopher Brown AM Brown told the Sunday Telegraph, it’s “not the full hog, but it’s a good start”. Read the story HERE > https://shorturl.at/zjyEd

Welcome back, Pondi   As Western Sydney gets set for another hot summer, the Dialogue welcomes the return of the much-loved Pondi Beach.   The opening of this swim spot in Penrith will offer locals a chance to come together, cool down and enjoy this beautiful spot on Penrith Lakes. As CEO Adam Leto told the Guardian’s Mostafa Rachwani: “Access to water is the birthright of every Australian, and Western Sydney residents are no different.”   But we can do more for the people of Western Sydney than offer a pop-up beach.   We urge local and state governments to continue exploring opportunities for GWS residents to have affordable and easy access to natural waterways and pools, to build the sustainable infrastructure that connects residents to recreation amenities, and to keep growing tree canopies for cooler, healthier suburbs. Todd Carney Western Sydney Lakes NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Prue Car Christopher Brown AM Andy Marks https://lnkd.in/gjZpQkmU

Super Opportunity for Western Sydney Housing   Dialogue Chairman Christopher Brown AM spoke to the ABC about some of the most important housing reforms designed to increase institutional investment to speed up the delivery of high quality housing.   Drawing on lessons from the Dialogue’s East London Study Tour earlier this year, Mr Brown identified opportunities like East London’s Canada Water project should act as inspiration to go big to tackle big problems like the housing crisis.   “Crusty old England can move projects through from conception to development in a third of the time Sydney's looking at."   "Major investment begets more major investment. Scale is grand," he said.   With housing approvals and completions trending at their lowest levels in recent memory, particularly in Western Sydney, Liverpool’s Moore Point is a case study in slow delivery of critical housing at scale in GWS.   Moore Point promises to deliver 11,000 homes and 23,000 jobs, with at least 10 hectares of public spaces along the river, but took 10 years to get to public exhibition.    "Ten years in, this project has finally been given the right to go on approval for the public to have a say, and that's with a supportive council," Mr Brown said.   “[It shouldn’t take] 10 years to get from conception to exhibition and then another 10 years to develop”.   Read the story -> https://shorturl.at/grDeo

The south west won’t boom without missing metro links Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue CEO, Adam Leto spoke to the ABC at the Dialogue’s Boomtown! Property & Infrastructure Summit, reiterating calls for the federal government to help fast-track delivery of the Western Sydney Airport Metro Extensions and link the region’s growth areas in our south west. Billions are needed now to ensure one of the fastest growing regions in the country isn’t waiting 25 years for crucial transport links to connect residents with jobs, services and amenity. The calls follow the unveiling of the Dialogue’s federal election priorities – How to win the West – ahead of a national poll that will place Western Sydney in the heart of the election battle. Read How to win the West here > https://shorturl.at/IjIJG

Housing, transport, infrastructure and a federal election on the horizon. Today the Dialogue welcomed over 300 government, business, industry and community leaders to Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park for the ninth Boomtown! Property & Infrastructure Summit. Off the back of major housing policies passing the federal parliament this week as well as transport and city-shaping reforms underway across Greater Western Sydney, Housing & Homelessness Minister, Clare O’Neil kicked off the summit outlining how the Federal Government has boosted supply with a $32 billion housing package, with a material impact on Western Sydney. The Federal Government also released its National Urban Policy, putting in place a framework for the commonwealth government to play a role in creating productive, liveable, sustainable and well connected cities. The Dialogue endorsed the plan, with Dialogue CEO Adam Leto saying: “It’s quite significant and telling that the Federal Government has chosen Western Sydney to launch this policy. “It’s the first one in over 10 years and sends a clear message that the federal government is investing in growing the cities of the west.” Roads, Tourism, Jobs, Arts, Music, & Night-Time Economy Minister John Graham delivered a keynote speech, outlining how the government plans to leverage the visitor and economic opportunities that Western Sydney International Airport presents, in the lead-up to its opening late 2026. The Dialogue also unveiled its federal election priorities for 2025 with a new discussion paper – How to win the West – ahead of a national poll that will place Western Sydney in the heart of the election battle. Read How to win the West here > https://shorturl.at/IjIJG Transport for NSW Commonwealth Bank, Coronation Property, KPMG, Landcom, City of Parramatta, Stockland, StratWest, Sydney Water, Venues NSW IMAGES by Shane O'Neill