Applications by Blacktown City Council to the NSW Government WestInvest Community Grants Program were successful in delivering funding to enhance and develop exciting new community facilities for local communities across Blacktown City.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said that the announcement by the NSW Treasurer of WestInvest funding for Council's proposals will give projects that transform lives in communities and create jobs throughout Western Sydney.
Mayor Bleasdale said "Blacktown City is the biggest council area by population in NSW and the fastest growing. Today, the NSW Government recognised the solutions offered by Council which will support community infrastructure and will provide support to people with economic and social disadvantage in our City."
"Council will make sure we use these funds wisely to provide the greatest benefit for our residents and Blacktown City," Mayor Bleasdale said.
WestInvest funding has been granted for the following projects:
$25m for a new and expanded Police and Community Youth Centres (PCYC) facility for Mount Druitt and the broader community of Shalvey, Lethbridge Park, Bidwell, Blackett, Willmot, Tregear and Whalan. The project will have numerous social benefits for the local community by fostering health, inclusivity, and wellbeing for young people in the area.
$77m for the expansion and modernisation of the Blacktown Aquatic Centre to create a modern leisure centre with high quality fitness facilities for the community.
$20m for a First Nations Community Centre at Mount Druitt, that responds to Aboriginal cultural values and provides a place for connection to Country.
$40m for a new Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre, to meet the growing demand from the community, providing a state-of-the-art hub for local artists, creative communities and audiences of all ages.
$41m for the Mount Druitt Swimming Centre that will modernise an ageing local facility to meet current and future demand for year-round swimming and learn to swim programs.
$36m for a new Seven Hills Community Resource Hub, creating a focal point for government and non-government agencies to provide critical services to the whole community. The Hub will support all local residents through library and play spaces, meeting and activity areas, heat refuge and disaster recovery facilities.
Already announced in late 2022 is a $34m funding boost from WestInvest for projects across the City, including a major transformation of the Mount Druitt Town Centre.
Picture: Blacktown City Council will deliver a new and expanded Police and Community Youth Centre (PCYC) at Shalvey.
