A snowballing $207 million funding shortfall and a lack of schools is leaving Box Hill residents shortchanged, and if not addressed, residents may miss out on essential infrastructure items, delaying the construction of hundreds of new homes.
Critical local infrastructure that still needs to be delivered in Box Hill includes 16 sports fields, 7 parks, 13km of roads, 14 traffic signals, 10 roundabouts and essential schools and services.
Without urgent intervention from the state and federal governments, completion of this extensive infrastructure program will not be possible - forcing families to endure worsening congestion, inadequate facilities, and an uncertain future.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne said Box Hill's infrastructure crisis is a direct result of decisions made by successive NSW Governments.
"Box Hill is the suburb that the state forgot and it's about time it receives funding for the essential infrastructure needed to make it liveable," Mayor Byrne said.
"In new release areas like Box Hill, infrastructure is funded using developer contributions. These contributions were capped by the NSW Government for many years, meaning developers were only required to pay for less than half of their fair share of the infrastructure costs when developing their land.
"We've been assured by successive governments that they would fund the difference, but Box Hill, in particular, is still significantly short. It's time for the NSW Government to pay its invoice for their shortfall.
"The shortfall in funding has snowballed thanks to rising land and construction costs and the Government's undervalued estimates for land and infrastructure costs in the Contributions Plan.
"This $207 million figure only covers the most basic local infrastructure. It doesn't even take into account the much-needed state infrastructure items like schools or local infrastructure items deemed by the NSW Government as 'non-essential' for new communities like libraries, swimming pools and community centres.
"The NSW Government has suggested that we raise Council rates as a possible solution. If we did, Box Hill rates would skyrocket by 450 per cent to almost $6,000 per year to recover the funding gap. In a cost- of-living crisis and in a suburb like Box Hill, which is home to young families – this isn't a viable solution, as it would make our community pay the price for decisions that were made by the NSW Government.
"Doing this would slam the door on housing supply as no one would choose to live here."
Box Hill is forecast to have more than 50,000 residents in the next ten years. Neerav Sharma, who has lived there for three years, expressed disappointment in the lack of infrastructure.
"Box Hill has the potential to be such a wonderful area for families. But the long daily commute to school and work, lack of sporting fields and shortage of services really impacts the quality of life for residents," Mr Sharma said.
"We need more schools, better roads and better local options to make this area desirable, let alone liveable."
The Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston MP expressed her concern for the lack of schools and road upgrades for the suburb.
"Current infrastructure has not caught up with the explosion of population in Box Hill. Families have an expectation of services and facilities that are yet to be delivered, and I don't think a huge rate hike is the answer. These families are already struggling to meet everyday cost-of-living expenses and mortgage repayments."
"Old Windsor Road and Windsor Road are at a standstill during peak times. How much longer is the community supposed to wait until critical infrastructure is provided?" Ms Preston said.
Drainage issues are another major factor delaying new housing construction.
"Due to a funding shortfall, essential stormwater drainage infrastructure cannot be built, forcing developers to use residential land for temporary drainage basins to manage flood risks," Mayor Byrne said.
"If the necessary drainage systems were in place, we could potentially see a further 150 homes built - helping to provide homes to families in this housing crisis."
The Hills Shire Council has launched its Fight for a Fairer Hills Future campaign, petitioning the NSW Government to fund the essential infrastructure Box Hill needs, as well as other vital projects across The Hills.
"We need 20,000 signatures on our petition for it to be debated in Parliament. Help us fight for a fairer Hills future where the standard of our facilities caters for our rapid population growth – that is all we are asking for," Mayor Byrne said.
Join the fight for a fairer Hills future. Sign the petition today at fairerhillsfuture.com.au.
