Government announces funding for raft of transport projects

The Federal Government has backflipped on a decision to axe funding for Stage 2 of the Mulgoa Road upgrade.

Last November, Labor took the axe to a range of infrastructure projects including the Mulgoa Road upgrade after an “independent review”. It sparked major backlash and anger in western Sydney.

Now, Labor says it will spend $115 million on the upgrade, as part of a raft of transport promises made this morning.

Significantly, the Federal Government announced $500 million for stage 2 of the Mamre Road upgrade this morning.

In total, Labor says it is investing an additional $1.9 billion towards 14 new projects in western Sydney, and providing additional funding for two existing projects.

“My Government is proud to support the people of western Sydney and deliver the roads and rail lines they need and deserve,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

“We are getting on with delivering a better future for all Australians, one made in Australia that builds economic opportunity and thriving communities.”

Federal Lindsay MP Melissa McIntosh has been particularly vocal about the Mulgoa Road funding.

McIntosh welcomed today’s announcement with caution.

“The restoration of funding is welcome but let’s call this out for what it is. The Albanese Labor Government cut funding for roads across western Sydney. We fought for this funding to be returned. Now, funding has been reinstated because along with the community, we put the pressure on, as did the media,” she said.

“This is not new and exciting money to make western Sydney roads better, it is purely the funding we deserve. And we deserve more. Infrastructure Minister Catherine King is expecting western Sydney to be grateful for the Government reinstating projects she cut. Once again Catherine King is trying to hoodwink the western Sydney community.”

But Lindsay residents will still feel somewhat short-changed, with a number of local projects axed last November remaining in limbo.

They include federal funding to support commuter car park upgrades at St Marys and Kingswood, and funding for planning of the Werrington Arterial Stage 2.

But Deputy Premier, Minister for Western Sydney and State Londonderry MP Prue Car declared the funding a “game changer”.

“It builds on hundreds of millions of dollars invested by NSW to deliver overdue precinct roads that will meet the existing needs of local residents, while unlocking development and new places for people to work and live,” she said.

“We have developers ready to transform the region into modern employment, education and housing zones which are planned to attract 250,000 people.

“Today’s announcement will give investors the confidence they are looking for from government to begin making those plans a reality.”

The Federal Government also confirmed it would invest $100 million to deliver new infrastructure to support bus services to Western Sydney International Airport, and $20 million to support the delivery of the final business case for Stage 1 of the Western Sydney Freight Line.

State Transport Minister Jo Haylen said this was a “big win”.

“I want to thank the Federal Government who have stepped up to help deliver the future bus services that will connect passengers in the west to the new airport when it opens in 2026,” she said.

“Support for the Western Sydney Freight line isn’t just about growing the Aerotropolis precinct. It’s also about getting freight off our roads and onto our rails so there’s more space for Western Sydney drivers and less traffic.

“Cities can’t grow without the transport links that get people and goods from place to place. That is why this is such an important, city shaping commitment from the Federal Government to help deliver the transport links which will help the new city here grow.”

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King said: “The hard work we undertook to clean up the mess in the infrastructure pipeline means there is room to ensure current projects can be delivered and plan for future projects,” she said.

Troy Dodds

Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.