Words like practical, sensible and cost-of-living are replacing the big infrastructure investment promises of past state governments.
With the backdrop of global volatility, rising interest rates and the largest oil shock since the 1970s, this approach is both expected and responsible.
But it does raise an important question - will this fiscal restraint come at the expense of much-needed long-term investment and planning for Western Sydney, one of the fastest-growing and most economically important regions in the state?
The bottom line for Western Sydney is that this budget, the last before the election, must strike a careful balance: fiscal discipline today, matched with a clear vision for tomorrow.
There is much to welcome in what has already been announced ahead of Tuesday’s budget. The additional operational funding for hospital staff and services, particularly across Greater Western Sydney, including Bankstown and Fairfield, will ensure local communities have access to skilled clinicians and quality care as population growth continues to place pressure on frontline services.
Funding for community and workforce infrastructure, such as the new fire station at Marsden Park and upgrades to TAFE Wetherill Park’s Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence, also reflects local needs.
However, operational funding alone will not be enough to future-proof the region.
What Western Sydney also needs is the vision to plan for future major infrastructure, particularly transport. With business cases underway for north-west and south-west metro extensions, there is a clear opportunity to provide certainty by finalising these assessments and setting out a pathway to delivery.
Even if immediate capital commitments are constrained, Western Sydney needs a signal that these projects will move forward.
Without expanded mass transit, the region risks worsening congestion, reduced productivity and diminished liveability as its population continues to grow.
Just as critical is the long-term planning for what comes next beyond existing infrastructure programs.
The completion of the 2016 Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan, delivered through $4.6B in joint federal and state funding for local roads projects, marks a turning point and an opportunity.
While that plan played a crucial role in improving connectivity, particularly in preparing the region for the Western Sydney International Airport, it’s time to look beyond roads and plan Western Sydney’s next chapter.
There is now a compelling case for the NSW Government to work with the Federal Government and local councils on a new 10-year Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan, one that prioritises a broader mix of economic and social infrastructure.
A new plan could fast-track the next generation of investment, spanning transport, education, health, digital connectivity and enabling infrastructure that links people to jobs and opportunity. Importantly, it should provide a prioritised, coordinated pipeline of projects and give all levels of government a clear framework for funding and delivery.
Western Sydney is central to the state’s future prosperity. Failing to invest strategically now will only lead to higher costs later.
Restraint in this budget is understandable. But restraint doesn’t have to preclude ambition.
In these tough times, Western Sydney doesn’t expect a blank cheque, but it does deserve a clear plan; one that aligns state and federal priorities, leverages local partnerships and sets out a vision for sustainable growth over the next decade and beyond.
Because when it comes to Western Sydney, standing still is not an option.
Adam Leto is Chief Executive Officer at Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue. Visit: www.westernsydney.org.au
