Blacktown City Council adopts a sustainable Budget.
Blacktown City Council, the biggest council in NSW, has adopted a balanced $758 million budget and operational plan for the 2024/25 financial year.
The new Budget provides a commitment by Council to delivering high quality community services and provides transformational infrastructure for our residents and businesses.
The Mayor of Blacktown City, Brad Bunting said "Exciting facilities and services for our community are on the way after Councillors approved the Blacktown City Council budget. Our latest balanced Council budget will improve infrastructure such as footpaths, roads, parks, libraries and swimming pools, while providing new facilities to serve our growing population into the future."
"With a raft of important new projects, including for roads and schools, funded in the recent NSW Budget for 2024/25, there is plenty of good news for our residents and businesses," said Mayor Bunting.
Council is providing a number of important new projects.
Some highlights to note include:
- road and footpath improvements across the City ($21.8 million)
- drainage and stormwater infrastructure for the growing areas of Marsden Park, Riverstone and Rouse Hill ($10.2 million)
- works to create the 20-hectare Ken Birdsey Park at Schofields ($32 million). This will include playing fields, a playground, amenities building, shared paths and more
- a Disability Sport Centre of Excellence ($15 million) at Blacktown International Sports Park.
Mayor Bunting said, "My thanks to everyone who participated in the public consultation and had their say on the Budget. Your views have helped guide decision-making by Council. I want to assure the community that the budget was carefully prepared with a view to Council's long-term financial sustainability."
Council is also working with the NSW Government to deliver Blacktown City's next group of transformational infrastructure projects under the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program.
The Program will deliver:
A new Community Resource Hub in the heart of the Seven Hills town centre.
The revitalisation of the Mount Druitt Hub including the modernisation of the existing community centre and upgrades to the adjacent public space.
The modernisation of the Blacktown Aquatic Centre and Mount Druitt Swimming Centre.
A new and improved Police and Community Youth Centres (PCYC) facility at the existing Shalvey location.
A First Nations Cultural Hub in Mount Druitt, that is a new purpose-built, cultural healing centre for the Western Sydney First Nations community.
A new Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre that celebrates Blacktown City's exciting arts scene, championing its diverse culture and enabling future generations to contribute and benefit from this new cultural space.
Council welcomes investment in Blacktown City by the Walker Corporation. Public consultation has demonstrated community support for the Blacktown Quarter project that will revitalise the Blacktown city centre, bringing thousands of jobs, and creating a catalyst for future investment in Blacktown City.
Mayor Bunting said, "Council's sound financial management over many years has allowed us to handle several ongoing financial challenges, imposed by successive state government policies. These include restrictions on Council revenue due to NSW Government-imposed rate pegging and caps on levies from developers."
"With a population of 435,000 across 54 suburbs, the future of our City lies in our hands. The Council's budget initiatives are establishing the groundwork for our City's future. This budget underscores the Council's dedication to providing infrastructure and services in a manner that is efficient, effective, and sustainable," Mayor Bunting said.
