The UAPP, which includes some $50m in associated funding, and the PRF are provided by the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure to Councils for the delivery of key urban housing and renewal projects.
Holroyd City Mayor, Ross Grove, said a survey conducted by Council last year found that the Wenty Town Centre had a vacancy rate of 20%.
“This is alarming and supports the argument that emerged during the 2012 LEP discussions on the need to revitalise the Centre,” Mayor Grove said.
“With revitalisation comes an increase in services and recreation for residents and in turn, greater viability for small businesses. This not only supports local economic development but also, builds cases for continued infrastructure development.
“The Draft LEP for the Wenty Town Centre had set targets for 2,000 new residential dwellings, 3,500 new jobs and over 124,000m2 of new commercial floor space.
“But as we saw, residents and businesses need to get behind plans for revitalisation in order to make it happen; every stakeholder has a part to play in securing the future of this important Centre.”
Maria Cignarella form Best Real Estate Wentworthville, said the area desperately needed revitalisation.
“We have a high vacancy rate and it’s hard to find people that would be interested in leasing property because of low foot traffic. We need to find ways to attract more quality businesses into the Centre and make the area livelier and more secure for the community,” she said.
