The Coalition lost its chance to rule the country and with it, Lindsay has lost major promises of funding.
While Liberal Melissa McIntosh has retained her hold on the seat of Lindsay, her party will be in opposition for the next three years.
During the election campaign, McIntosh made a series of funding commitments to the residents of Lindsay, saying that if the Coalition Government were to be elected on May 3, millions of dollars would be poured into the community.
Now, those promises are no more with Labor failing to match the majority of commitments.
The only commitment left standing is the $4 million towards upgrading netball facilities at Jamison Park.
“This announcement is a gamechanger for our sporting clubs,” Labor candidate for Lindsay Hollie McLean said when matching the Coalition’s commitment.
“We know that playing local sport brings people together.
“This project will provide modern netball facilities so the Penrith community can stay active, healthy and engaged in local sport.”
McIntosh committed $10 million to help build a Penrith Panthers Women’s Academy and Community Hub, with the Panthers matching the commitment in the shape of $10 million.
Now, Panthers will be either left to fund the project itself, find another partner or abandon the build.
“The Panthers are committed to establishing a dedicated women’s facility, with further details and funding arrangements to be announced in due course,” a spokesperson for the Panthers said.
McIntosh committed $2 million of funding to the Museum of Fire for a new storage facility, now unlikely to happen.
$63,000 was committed by the Coalition to fund fencing upgrades and resurface outdoor playing courts at the Don Bosco Youth and Recreation Centre in St Marys.
$9,500 was promised to Mama Lana’s for security upgrades including an enhanced CCTV system.
The biggest gut punch for Lindsay residents was the Coalition’s commitment to additional funding for the Mulgoa Road upgrade that will be no more.
Funding for stages 5A and 5B, which takes in Blaikie Road to Jamison Road and then Jamison Road to Union Road, was promised and will not eventuate unless Labor steps in to provide the additional funding.
“We announced a Dutton Liberal Government will restore this funding and get the Mulgoa Road upgrade back on track,” McIntosh said at the time of the announcement.
“I know how important finishing this upgrade to Mulgoa Road is for our Glenmore Park, Regentville, Jamisontown and South Penrith residents, and everyone who travels along that road.”
McIntosh has said she will continue to advocate for the projects.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.