Funding infrastructure for a growing community

The City of Sydney will spend almost $200m in the next financial year on major infrastructure projects in the fast-growing Green Square neighbourhood, as well as improving parks and open spaces and environmental performance in City properties and facilities.

The 2019/20 capital works program totals $196.4m, with $103.9m for major projects, $36m for extensive asset enhancements and $56.5m for rolling capital renewal programs.

Funding is part of our $1.6b 10-year budget for capital works that builds major community infrastructure, increases open space and reduces carbon pollution.

Major projects for the upcoming financial year include:

$84.6m for the continuation of the large-scale urban renewal of Green Square, including construction of Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre and central park The Drying Green and major works on the area’s streets. $9.1m for the continuation of green infrastructure projects, including an energy efficiency program for the City’s major properties, improving energy services at Cook + Philip Aquatic Centre, a water harvesting treatment plant at Sydney Park, and the installation of solar panels on City-owned properties. $3.9m for the Johnstons Creek masterplan, which aims to protect and enhance a harbour foreshore area at Glebe, Annandale and Forest Lodge. $2.3m for the latest instalment of the City’s contribution to the NSW Government’s light rail project. $12.6m is earmarked for open spaces and parks, which includes a $5m boost for a new skate park at Sydney Park, as part of the City’s asset enhancement works.

The City will invest $9.6m on bicycle related works next financial year, with construction underway on Wilson and Burren Streets and Epsom Road in Green Square and planned construction on a new separated cycleway on Lawson Street in Redfern.

The cycling projects are also partly funded by the NSW Government and are part of Sydney’s bike network connecting local and regional routes.

“Our residential, business and tourist population keeps growing, with over 1.2 million people using the City's services every day. We need to provide our community with the infrastructure and facilities they need to ensure inner Sydney remains an exciting, economically-strong, sustainable place to live, work and visit,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

“Transforming Sydney’s oldest industrial heartland into a new Green Square town centre is an enormous task, but I’m so proud of the wonderful new library and community and cultural precinct we’ve established, and I look forward to the future acquatic and recreation centre.

“With so many of our residents living in apartments, parks and open spaces become their common backyard. That’s why we are prioritising planting trees, upgrading our parks and creating more green spaces for people to enjoy.

“Our cycleway projects will make walking and riding safer and encourage more people to join the growing number of people riding for transport in Sydney. Active transport is the most efficient and sustainable way of moving Sydney’s growing population into the future, plus it’s good for business, the local environment and the health of our communities.”

The budget also allows for $496.1m in operational expenditure, which covers ongoing council services.

This includes:

the removal of one monorail station purchase of 100 per cent renewable electricity to meet the organisation’s needs a $2.5m contribution to Ausgrid to fast track the installation of LED street lights in the local area two new Sydney Lunar New Year events at Green Square and Darling Square a new Christmas event in Pyrmont.

The plant and assets budget includes provisions for City vehicle replacements, library books and digital resources, and furniture and fittings in City buildings and centres. Funds have also been set aside for information services projects to improve the City’s digital services.

The 2019/20 budget will be on public exhibition from 15 May to 11 June 2019, after which it will be considered by Council for final adoption.

For more information or to comment, visit sydneyyoursay.com.au

For media inquiries or images, contact Roxanne Macara. Phone 0438 554 640 or email [email protected]

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact Anusha Muller. Phone 0408 494 545 or email [email protected]