Mayor Waller prioritises South West economic recovery with NSW Treasurer

Mayor of Liverpool Wendy Waller and Liverpool City Council CEO Dr Eddie Jackson yesterday met with NSW Treasurer The Hon. Dominic Perrottet MP to discuss the delivery of an economic package to support the recovery of South West Sydney post-pandemic.

Tougher COVID-19 restrictions have been imposed in South West and Western suburbs compared to other parts of Greater Sydney, lengthening this region’s road to economic recovery.

Council’s City Economy team contacted 1492 business in the Liverpool Local Government Area finding as many as one in five businesses (21.6 per cent) are in a period of ‘hibernation’ – closed for the moment, though intending to reopen. While only a slight proportion of businesses contacted (1.53 per cent) said they were closed for good, many small business owners have anecdotally relayed the hardship they have faced waiting for Government financial support.

Mayor Waller expressed her gratitude to NSW Treasurer Perrottet for the opportunity to voice the region’s economic concerns to the highest levels of Government.

“It was a difficult conversation with the NSW Treasurer given how much South West and Western Sydney have suffered during this time,” Mayor Waller said. “However, the conversation was also positive and practical as we shifted the dial from problem to solution.

“We each brought ideas to the table to create further investment opportunities to aid recovery in these regions crucial to the statewide economy. We are one of the fastest growing regions and the food bowl for Greater Sydney. Without a strong business centre in the South West and West, it’s everybody’s loss.”

Mayor Waller said despite South West Sydney undergoing accelerated growth, the region has traditionally faced significant funding disadvantages – a situation she fears has been worsened by negative perceptions related to COVID-19.

“This meeting was an opportunity to change the narrative and convey to the NSW Treasurer how resilient this region is, and that we would emerge from the pandemic determined to get on with it and open for business,” Mayor Waller said.

As a next step, Council is planning to provide NSW Treasurer Perrottet with several strategic documents and Masterplans to potentially help shape a future economic recovery package.

“I along with the rest of Council look forward to continuing the conversation with the NSW Treasurer as we work collaboratively to find a solution for the South West,” Mayor Waller said.

Yesterday’s meeting with NSW Treasurer Perrottet followed Mayor Waller’s meeting with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, and mayors from Fairfield, Campbelltown and Canterbury-Bankstown, where she also called for an economic repair package and an end to unnecessary COVID-19 curfews.

“The impact of this meeting is already being felt. I was pleased to hear the Premier’s announcement today that the 9pm-5am curfew on Liverpool and other LGAs of concern will be lifted as of tonight (15 September),” Mayor Waller said.

“While it shows the NSW Government is listening, it must do more to stem the growing divide between the South West and West and other parts of Sydney.

“I look forward to more meetings in the future with the NSW Premier and Treasurer so I can continue to voice the concerns of the people of Liverpool.”