WSROC 2007 - Home | bmcc.nsw.gov.au

Prepared by the

Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils Ltd

WSROC 2007 Federal Election Issues Papers

OCTOBER 2007

Advocating for the people of Western Sydney

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Copyright © 2007 WSROC LtdISBN 1 86271 274 3

Front cover satellite image copyright 2007 TerraMetrics, Inc.http://www.truearth.com

WSROC LtdPO Box 63

Blacktown NSW 214802 9671 4333

[email protected]

2007 FEDERAL ELECTION ISSUES PAPERS

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................I

What is WSROC? ............................................................................................................................... ii WSROC’s Mission............................................................................................................................... ii

DEVELOPING THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT........................ 1 1 Building the Federal-Local Government Partnership......................................................................1

FEDERAL ENGAGEMENT IN URBAN PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE........................................ 2 2 Funding and Providing Infrastructure in Western Sydney ..............................................................2 3 Federal Engagement in Urban Public Transport and Rail Services ...............................................3 4 Providing Employment to Match Population Growth ......................................................................4

BETTER EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR WESTERN SYDNEY ...................................................... 5 5 Improving Regional Education Outcomes.......................................................................................5 6 Supporting Tertiary Education in Western Sydney .........................................................................6

MANAGING THE REGION’S ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES ........................................................ 7 7 Managing the Region’s Environment and Climate Change ............................................................7 8 Managing Air and Water Quality in Western Sydney......................................................................8 9 Proposed Second Sydney Airport...................................................................................................9 10 Australia’s Fuel Security – Implications for Western Sydney......................................................10

ADDRESSING EQUITY ISSUES AND SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE IN WESTERN SYDNEY .................... 11 11 Early Intervention and Child Care in Western Sydney................................................................11 12 Health Services and Dental Care in Western Sydney ................................................................12 13 Responding to Domestic Violence ..............................................................................................13 14 Responding to Indigenous Disadvantage ...................................................................................14 15 Supporting New Arrivals and Migrants in Western Sydney ........................................................15 16 Supporting Equitable Regional Cultural Development................................................................16 17 Planning Housing for a Polarised City ........................................................................................17

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY – A STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT ..................................................... 18

2007 FEDERAL ELECTION ISSUES PAPERS

INTRODUCTION

WSROC continues its advocacy for Western Sydney with the release of the 2007 Federal Election Issues Papers. The papers identify the key issues our region faces which are the main responsibility of the Federal Government. Each paper has been prepared as a focused “stand-alone” page with a brief summary of the issue and an action plan comprising a maximum of ten specific tasks which WSROC recommends should be undertaken by the Government to be formed after the 2007 Federal elections. These papers are grouped into five key regional themes: • Developing the partnership between Federal and Local Government • Federal engagement in urban planning and infrastructure • Better educational outcomes for Western Sydney • Managing the region’s environmental challenges • Addressing equity issues and social disadvantage in Western Sydney These tasks are based on resolutions of the WSROC Board directed specifically to the Federal Government, WSROC’s submissions and responses to Federal agencies or broader policy statements made by the organisation that are relevant to the Federal Government. The papers follow the format that WSROC used successfully for the State Election papers which attracted detailed responses from all the major political parties prior to the March 2007 NSW State election. In addition a brief statistical snapshot of Greater Western Sydney is provided, drawing where possible on the latest Census data. A central theme of these Issues Papers is Federal Government engagement in the management of the region’s continued high rate of growth in release areas and redevelopment in established areas, combined with the critical need to invest in the social, cultural and physical infrastructure required to support this growth and change. The region’s Councils are also seeking Federal involvement in managing the sustainability of continued growth, particularly in the context of climate change and the implications of urban development for the health and well-being of our communities. As an advocacy organisation, WSROC hopes that the WSROC 2007 Federal Election Issues Papers will generate positive and comprehensive policy commitments from those participating in the election. To this end the papers will be forwarded directly to the Western Sydney candidates and leaders of major parties seeking responses. Just as important however is the role WSROC hopes the papers will have in stimulating debate on these issues in the broader community. To make them widely available prior to the election, these papers are being placed on WSROC’s web site at www.wsroc.com.au, along with any responses received from candidates and parties. The papers will also be circulated among WSROC member Councils and distributed to the media – please feel free to forward them to other people in your council, community or organisation. We welcome your feedback on these important issues and WSROC’s proposed actions. Please send these by email to [email protected] or follow the links on the WSROC website. We look forward to your receiving your views.

2007 FEDERAL ELECTION ISSUES PAPER

WHAT IS WSROC?

WSROC - the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils Ltd - is one of Australia’s oldest and most respected local government lobbying organisations and a key advocate for Western Sydney.

Member councils are:

♦ Auburn Council ♦ Hawkesbury City Council ♦ Bankstown City Council ♦ Holroyd City Council ♦ Baulkham Hills Shire Council ♦ Liverpool City Council ♦ Blacktown City Council ♦ Parramatta City Council ♦ Blue Mountains City Council ♦ Penrith City Council. ♦ Fairfield City Council

WSROC was formed in November 1973. It became a company limited by guarantee in 1991. All member councils make an equal annual contribution to the operating costs of WSROC and have equal voting rights.

The decision-making body of WSROC is the Board, consisting of two voting Directors from each member council.

The Board’s role in managing the organisation is supported by the Executive Management Committee (EMC) which meets between Board meetings. The organisation is resourced by a small regional secretariat, with professional and support staff.

A number of professional committees and groups of staff from member Councils also meet regularly to assist in implementing the work program and to discuss major regional issues. These professional committees, member councils, the secretariat, the EMC and the Directors themselves all provide advice and recommendations to the Board for consideration.

WSROC has a reputation for considered policy analysis and advocacy on a wide range of issues affecting the residents of Western Sydney. These include public transport, roads, economic development, housing, urban planning and management, environment, employment, community services and a range of local government issues. WSROC is responsible for improvements in many of these areas and has helped to create many of the region’s institutions and agencies.

WSROC’S MISSION To secure - through research, lobbying and the fostering of co-operation between councils - a sustainable lifestyle for the people of Western Sydney and the provision of infrastructure such that no one should have to leave the region to have access to the sorts of amenities, services and opportunities others in urban Australia take for granted.

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DEVELOPING THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT


1 BUILDING THE FEDERAL-LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP

WSROC and its member Councils are keen to develop an effective partnership between Local Government in Western Sydney and the incoming Federal Government.

This partnership should be based on an integrated approach to urban issues with a strategic and regional focus involving all three spheres of Government. As part of this process, the long-standing practice of cost-shifting by both State and Commonwealth Governments to Local Government needs to end. WSROC supports in principle the recommendations of the Hawker House of Representatives inquiry into cost-shifting: Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Local Government and the subsequent development of the Intergovernmental Agreement on cost shifting.

WSROC also supports the campaign for constitutional recognition of Local Government and the Strengthening Local Government program initiated by the Local Government and Shires Associations to respond to the findings and recommendations of the independent Inquiry into the Financial Sustainability of NSW Local Government.

In seeking to develop a partnership, it is important that all spheres of government recognise the long standing regional structures developed by local government and the strong sense of regional identity established in areas such as Western Sydney. These regions and regional structures in both urban and rural areas provide a framework for the Federal Government to engage strategically with councils and communities across Australia.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Support ongoing implementation of the Inter-governmental Agreement Establishing

Principles to Guide Inter-Governmental Relations on Local Government Matters (IGA), especially in relation to cost allocation and effective consultation between Federal and Local Government on the delivery of services and functions.

2. Develop partnership models with the Local Government and Shires Associations (LGSA), Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs) and Councils which recognise councils as critical partners in planning and providing Federal services and funding for infrastructure to local communities. These models should reflect the IGA and ensure that Federal and Local Government strategies complement each other and are integrated to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

3. Implement other recommendations of the Hawker Inquiry Rates and Taxes: A Fair Share for Local Government in conjunction with State and Local Governments and ensure that the Federal Government does not contribute to the practice of cost shifting to Local Government.

4. Engage strategically with Local Government at a regional level throughout Australia through ROCs and other structures as well as through State and National representative organisations.

5. Progress the constitutional recognition of Local Government.

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FEDERAL ENGAGEMENT IN URBAN PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE


2 FUNDING AND PROVIDING INFRASTRUCTURE IN WESTERN SYDNEY

Sydney is a major international city and must compete on the world stage as Australia’s pre-eminent global city. This means that it must be able to operate efficiently and competitively, as well as in a sustainable and equitable manner.

In turn, the success of Western Sydney is critical to the economic success of Sydney and through it the nation. Greater Western Sydney is home to one in 11 Australians and is Australia’s third-largest regional economy. Yet the region is suffering from increasing growth pressures as its population increases and economic activity expands.

The State Government has done much to address these issues but it has limited resources. As a result, plans such as the Metropolitan Strategy have identified and prioritised only the most critical key infrastructure projects, but even these will take years to complete. Local government will also need additional financial support to provide the costly physical infrastructure required to meet the Metro Strategy’s new dwelling targets.

For these reasons alone, greater strategic Federal Government engagement in the issues affecting Sydney and Western Sydney is critical. The Federal Government is already involved in urban issues but in a piecemeal and inconsistent way, for example, in relation to airports and national highway and freight corridors, many of which also combine Local, State and Federal responsibilities. The Commonwealth needs to have a much more strategic and integrated focus to its engagement in urban areas and it also needs to fully consult with local communities in relation to the design of the infrastructure it does provide.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Strategically fund, in cooperation with State and Local Governments, the provision of

sustainable urban infrastructure including (but not restricted to) transport, health, housing, education and communications.

2. Specifically develop, in conjunction with State and Local Governments, a set of priorities for the up-front funding of urban infrastructure to be funded through a one-off contribution from the 2006/07 budget surplus.

3. In addition, set aside funds from the 2006/07 budget surplus for the creation of an ongoing infrastructure fund specifically for urban areas, especially those undergoing growth and redevelopment.

4. Restore the previous proportion of GDP allocated to State Governments and remove discrimination against NSW in the allocation of GST and other funding on the proviso that State Governments use the additional resources for the construction of public infrastructure, especially in areas undergoing growth and redevelopment.

5. Ensure that outer metropolitan areas such as Western Sydney are incorporated in any plans for the roll out of enhanced broadband services and that a high standard of broadband and other telecommunications services are provided to these areas.

6. Maintain and increase Federal funding for the Roads to Recovery and Black Spot Programs and allocate funding and consult with Councils over the route of the M7/M2 to F3 National Highway link.

7. Fully consult with local communities and ensure the design of infrastructure provided by the Commonwealth minimises impacts on residential amenity and the environment.

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3 FEDERAL ENGAGEMENT IN URBAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND RAIL SERVICES

WSROC has lobbied for over 30 years for improved public transport in the region, an area of chronic under-investment. The region’s rail network has remained largely unchanged in coverage since the 1930s, whilst over 120 km of motorway has been developed and its population has increased dramatically.

The region is heavily car-dependent with consequent impacts on air quality, health and household budgets. This also results in decreased mobility and increased social isolation in many parts of Western Sydney. Affordable and adequate public transport options are essential for accessing community services, particularly medical services, shopping and maintaining social linkages, especially as the population ages and older residents can no longer drive. This trend has particular implications for the Federal Government as it may force older people into supported accommodation at an earlier age than otherwise necessary.

WSROC welcomed the State Infrastructure Plan and the Urban Transport Statement released in 2006 which contain strategies for investment and the commencement of public transport projects, but much more needs to be done. This is underscored by Greater Western Sydney’s importance to the national economy and projected population growth of over 600,000 over the next 25 years.

Substantial and sustained investment in transport infrastructure and services will be required over the next decade to reduce car dependency, address backlogs and to meet the needs of this expanding population in accessing services and jobs. The Federal Government must play a key role in contributing to and facilitating this investment.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Make strategic contributions to help fast track and complete key public transport projects

outlined in the State Government’s Urban Transport Statement. 2. In particular, make strategic contributions to the completion of the Metropolitan Rail

Expansion Project (the North West–South West Rail Link) as well as the Parramatta to Epping Rail Link and a high speed rail link between Penrith, Parramatta and the City.

3. Work with State and Local Government to plan for a public transport corridor along the M7 and longer term, other north-south links, including a high speed rail link from Newcastle to Canberra via Western Sydney.

4. Develop with State and Local Governments a comprehensive long term integrated land transport plan for the eastern seaboard which incorporates consideration of high speed rail and freight transport through and within Western Sydney to substantially reduce travel times and alleviate impacts of freight movements on local amenity.

5. Provide tax concessions for regular public transport commuters equivalent to those provided through the FBT system to employees with company cars.

6. Review all Federal taxation and grant arrangements to ensure that they do not discriminate against the providers, operators and users of public transport and rail services.

7. Hypothecate a proportion of the fuel excise taken from Western Sydney motorists back to the region in the form of increased expenditure on public transport infrastructure.

8. Consider the implications of the ageing population, particularly in outer suburban areas with limited access to public transport and other human services and facilities.

See also papers on Managing the Region’s Environment and Climate Change and Australia’s Fuel Security.

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4 PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT TO MATCH POPULATION GROWTH

Western Sydney’s growing population requires adequate employment opportunities. The region’s economic environment is evolving rapidly, resulting in a labour market which is becoming more regionally focussed with workers employed in a diversifying range of jobs that are supported by an increasing number of employment services.

Globalised labour markets are having a major impact on cities such as Sydney. There has been an increase in well-paid information-rich jobs in eastern Sydney, contrasting with a growth of part-time casualised and low paid service sector work in parts of Western Sydney.

For some Western Sydney residents, finding employment remains a major challenge, with several disadvantaged areas experiencing recent increases in unemployment levels. Fast-growing information-based services which could contribute to employment growth, such as finance, insurance, property and business services are still significantly under-represented in the region.

WSROC believes that the Federal Government can assist by creating and maintaining employment opportunities in Western Sydney. Whilst the region’s economy is performing well overall, assistance is required to support under-performing areas and to aid the region’s engagement in the global economy through the growth of service sectors and technology based employment opportunities. At the same time efforts must be made to maintain the region’s important manufacturing and industrial industries.

The Metropolitan Strategy envisages Sydney as a competitive, innovative and adaptable economy which is actively engaged globally, offering value-added investment and quality employment opportunities. The Federal Government must play its part by investing in Western Sydney’s infrastructure and economic development to ensure that it meets these expectations. The employment strategies being developed by WSROC and North-West and West-Central Sub-regional groups of councils with funding from the NSW Government will provide a useful starting point for this process.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Develop more qualitative measures of employment and job creation as a core indicator

of community well-being instead of measuring only the number of people employed. 2. Work with State and Local Governments to develop regional, sub-regional and local

employment strategies, particularly in areas with significant unemployment and/or undergoing major structural change.

3. Specifically in Western Sydney use the sub-regional employment strategies being developed by WSROC and local councils in the region as a basis for engaging and investing in Western Sydney’s economic development.

4. Develop in conjunction with State and Local Governments strategies to improve the skills base of the Western Sydney workforce.

5. Continue and increase support for organisations which deliver employment programs at the local level and for small businesses in Western Sydney, for example to access venture capital.

See also paper on Improving Regional Education Outcomes.

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BETTER EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR WESTERN SYDNEY


5 IMPROVING REGIONAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES

Early childhood, primary and secondary education services across the region face major challenges (see also Early Intervention and Childcare) in Western Sydney.

Staff shortages are a major issue for the region’s early childhood centres. These shortages have occurred partly due to the low salaries of trained early childhood teachers, which encourage teachers to move to primary school teaching positions or other related family focussed services. Primary and secondary schools also suffer from teacher shortages, with schools in the region having difficulty attracting enough and/or the most able teachers, which compromises their ability to maintain reasonable class sizes.

The Federal Government has a central role to play in ensuring a more equitable distribution of resources to public schools which should include additional measures to support difficult-to-staff schools in disadvantaged areas and supporting the transition between schools and the workforce. The Government can also support young people to develop as leaders in their local communities.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Assist the State Government in addressing staff shortages in the early education and

childcare field through negotiations with and additional funding for tertiary institutions to increase the number of places for trainee teachers and other staff specifically involved in 0 – 5 year education and care.

2. As a priority, provide more resources for public schools in Western Sydney, particularly those in areas of social disadvantage and/or with problems in attracting staff.

3. Assist in the development of programs to improve the quality of teaching and to increase levels of participation in education in Western Sydney schools.

4. Increase support for programs that facilitate local transition between schools and the workforce and between TAFES and universities.

5. Support the development of leadership programs for young people in Western Sydney. 6. Work with State and Local Governments to identify and respond to other sources of

educational disadvantage in the region. See also paper on Early Intervention and Child Care in Western Sydney

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6 SUPPORTING TERTIARY EDUCATION IN WESTERN SYDNEY

The Western Sydney region remains under-represented in higher education attendance and tertiary qualifications. Attendance at university is also affected by high transport costs, low incomes and increasing living expenses. Poor public transport links are also limiting access to tertiary education opportunities and the higher order jobs concentrated outside the region.

In addition, shortages of qualified and skilled professionals limit the expansion of business and industry in Western Sydney. A better educated and skilled workforce will not only make a stronger contribution to economic growth, but will encourage more “knowledge based” industry to locate in the region, thus broadening employment opportunities. In this regard it is of particular concern that the 2006 census indicates a decline in TAFE enrolments.

Improving access to tertiary education opportunities for people of Western Sydney should be a high priority for the Federal Government, particularly in the context of the anticipated population growth in the region over the next 25 years. Only one university, the University of Western Sydney, caters specifically for the region’s needs and the University’s unique multi-campus nature (essential given the size of the region and the dispersal of its population) makes its operation much more costly.

These cost pressures on the University have been cited as reasons for closing one of its campuses at Blacktown and also for cutting visual and performing arts courses. The cuts to the arts courses are particularly unfortunate as they are the only ones offered to the region’s 1.8m population. In summary, Western Sydney requires a fairer distribution of tertiary education resources which recognises population growth, current educational disadvantage and the problems of providing tertiary education over a dispersed region.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Provide additional funding for tertiary education, especially for the University of Western

Sydney, because of its unique role as a regional metropolitan university with a multi-campus structure serving a region experiencing population growth with significant levels of social and educational disadvantage.

2. Develop robust benchmarks to compare university and other tertiary enrolments, completions and qualifications and the issues affecting these in Western Sydney with other outer metropolitan regions around Australia and use these benchmarks as a basis for future funding.

3. Specifically, address socio-economic barriers to university and other tertiary education participation, including the impacts of HECS, living expenses and the cost of transport, and in conjunction with State and Local Government develop a response to the decline in TAFE enrolments.

4. Negotiate with the University of Western Sydney to maintain the Blacktown campus, to continue provision of courses at all of its campuses and to restore visual and performing arts courses.

5. Work with State and Local Governments to improve public transport access to tertiary education facilities in Western Sydney.

See also paper on Supporting Equitable Regional Cultural Development

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MANAGING THE REGION’S ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES


7 MANAGING THE REGION’S ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Managing the region’s environment and the impacts of climate change in Western Sydney is a critical responsibility to be shared by all levels of government. A range of Federal environmental policies will obviously have direct and indirect impacts on the region.

As well as having global and national ramifications, climate change is also specifically affecting Western Sydney. Recent research has found evidence of a strong urban heat island effect in Western Sydney, with localised warming due to the loss of vegetation and the increase in paved and dark coloured surfaces such as roads, roofs and car parks as a consequence of urban development. Western Sydney is particularly exposed since it does not receive the moderating influences of sea breezes.

As a result, there has been a rise in local annual temperatures over and above what would be expected through global warming and the number of extreme temperature events has increased dramatically. This can adversely impact a city’s public health, air quality and energy use, as well as increasing the frequency and intensity of ground level ozone and smog, putting children and the elderly at particular risk. Hotter temperatures also increase the demand for air conditioning, increasing energy use when demand is already high. This in turn contributes to power shortages and increasing carbon dioxide emissions.

The region’s contribution to climate change is exacerbated by its heavy car dependence. While emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants are declining due to stricter emission standards and more efficient vehicles, these benefits are being eroded because the average total number of kilometres per vehicle is increasing yearly.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Extend measures to increase the use of fuel efficient and hybrid vehicles in Federal

Government fleets and consider the introduction of financial and other incentives such as tax rebates to encourage the wider use of these vehicles in the community.

2. Expand the Solar City model and provide incentives and subsidies to encourage energy production within Western Sydney from renewable sources, to reduce energy consumption and to make the region a hub for energy efficient and alternative energy industries.

3. Consistent with the findings of the Stern Review and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, develop, in conjunction with State and Local Governments, national greenhouse gas abatement strategies including comprehensive targets and carbon trading.

4. In consultation with State and Local Governments, take a lead role in the development of national markets for sustainable fuels, renewable energy, recyclable water, waste products and other systems.

5. Coordinate the development of nationally consistent benchmarks and indicators for sustainability (social, economic and environmental) that can be applied regionally, yet will inform national and regional sustainability strategies.

6. In conjunction with State and Local Governments, develop policies and programs to address the causes of the urban heat island effect impacting on Western Sydney.

See also papers on Federal Engagement in Urban Public Transport and Rail Services and on Australia’s Fuel Security – Implications for Western Sydney.

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8 MANAGING AIR AND WATER QUALITY IN WESTERN SYDNEY

WSROC has consistently lobbied for initiatives which improve Western Sydney’s air quality. Poor air quality is a significant environmental concern for the region, many parts of which experience high rates of asthma, especially as it is exacerbated by high levels of car dependence and topographical attributes which act to trap and concentrate pollutants. The environmental health and liveability of cities are inextricably linked and therefore the region’s poor air quality must be addressed, especially given the proposed high levels of growth.

In response to these concerns, Councils in Western Sydney have also participated in initiatives such as developing and implementing Local Air Quality Management Plans and participating in the Cities for Climate Protection initiative. The incoming Federal Government will also have a pivotal role in assisting Councils and communities to improve the region’s air quality.

WSROC has led a number of projects aimed at improving Western Sydney’s water quality. The challenges around effective water management will continue to grow as Western Sydney’s population expands, the drought continues and the impacts of global warming become more apparent. The need for effective water management is also heightened due to the region’s susceptibility to the costly impacts of urban salinity.

Most of Western Sydney’s waterways, including the Hawkesbury Nepean River System, have been highly modified by weir and dam construction and significant water diversion. The maintenance of environmental flows has become a major challenge across the region. Additional funding is required to provide the necessary technology and equipment required to maintain the river’s health.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Work with State and Local Governments to promote the strategic integration of water

cycle management with urban planning, including demand management, supply, and improving water quality, for example by incorporating water sensitive urban design into the planning process to support the National Water Initiative.

2. Specifically, consider funding the full cost of domestic water tank provision and installation in Western Sydney and other appropriate areas as part of the National Water initiative.

3. Work with State and Local Governments as well as commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors to assist the application of best practice to manage the region’s waterways and reduce pollutant and nutrient loads.

4. Recognise that urban salinity is a major environmental issue affecting urban areas and commit to addressing this problem, particularly in Western Sydney, by supporting research to develop a better understanding of urban salinity processes.

5. Support State and Local Government strategies to reduce dependence on motor vehicles and improve air quality by locating jobs, schools services and shops close to where people live, promoting walking and cycling and providing funding for urban public transport in regions such as Western Sydney.

6. Support Local Government initiatives such as Local Air Quality Management Plans and Cities for Climate Protection.

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9 PROPOSED SECOND SYDNEY AIRPORT

Since 1997 WSROC has opposed proposals to locate a second airport at Badgerys Creek or any other location in Sydney because of the range of adverse environmental impacts it would bring.

Current Federal Government policy is that, whilst a second airport is not needed and there are no intentions of developing such a facility, the formal reservation of the Badgerys Creek site will be maintained in case it is needed in the future.

In September 2006 WSROC and the Western Sydney Alliance jointly convened a Roundtable of community leaders to discuss the issue. The Roundtable noted the key location and size of the Badgerys Creek site and the uncertainty and confusion that its current reservation is causing to residents, councils and business across the region. The Roundtable concluded with a call on the Federal Government to end this uncertainty once and for all.

WSROC and the Alliance have been working closely together in seeking a resolution to this issue. WSROC notes and supports the NSW Legislative Council resolution calling on the Federal Government to abandon the Badgerys Creek proposal and WSROC also opposes any expansion of aviation activities at Bankstown Airport.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Resolve the future use of the Badgerys Creek site as a matter of urgency and formally

and unequivocally rule out any future airport development at this site or anywhere else in the Sydney basin.

2. In conjunction with State and Local Government, undertake an open and transparent review of Sydney’s future airport needs, including general aviation. As part of this review, re-examine potential locations for a second Sydney airport outside the Sydney basin.

3. Work with the State and Local Governments to develop and implement a jointly agreed and politically bipartisan integrated and prioritised land transport plan for Sydney and surrounding regions, including an examination of the potential role of appropriate rail technologies such as high speed trains linked to longer-term opportunities for decentralisation.

4. Ensure that the general aviation character of Bankstown Airport is retained and large-scale commercial developments on all airport land are subject to Council planning approval.

Note: These actions are summarised from the 2006 Airport Roundtable outcomes.

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10 AUSTRALIA’S FUEL SECURITY – IMPLICATIONS FOR WESTERN SYDNEY

The Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport released its final report on the Inquiry into Australia’s future oil supply and alternative transport fuels in February 2007. WSROC made an extensive submission to the Inquiry and appeared before the Committee at its Sydney hearings. Many of the points made by WSROC about the high car dependence and resulting vulnerability of many Western Sydney suburbs to changes in oil prices, the history of under-investment in public transport (particularly by the Commonwealth) and the environmental implications of the dispersal of jobs away from centres were quoted directly and discussed in the report.

While the committee’s recommendations were relevant they did not go far enough in addressing issues such as expanding public transport use to reduce car dependence and the demand for oil.

The incoming Federal Government needs to provide substantially increased funding for public transport infrastructure and to reassess policies and taxation arrangements which effectively increase private vehicle use and discourage the use of public transport in order to reduce the demand for transport fuels.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should:

1. Consider the economic, environmental and social impacts of projected increases in the price of transport fuel and potential vulnerability in the fuel supply in developing strategies for future growth and management.

2. Develop strategies for reducing Australia’s transport fuel demands through the reduction of car use and total vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) as well as the introduction of more fuel-efficient vehicles.

3. Specifically, extend measures to increase the use of fuel efficient and hybrid vehicles in Federal Government fleets and consider the introduction of financial and other incentives such as tax rebates to encourage the wider use of these vehicles in the community.

4. Review road pricing measures to ensure that they do not contribute to low-density developments and urban sprawl. Pricing measures should encourage both the use of public transport and smaller, hybrid and other fuel-efficient private vehicles, as well as those that use alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas.

5. Specifically, provide a tax rebate for the purchase of periodical or ‘bulk’ public transport tickets for journeys to work and review the aspects of current Fringe Benefit Tax arrangements that encourage employees to drive over 25,000 km per year.

See also papers on Federal Engagement in Urban Public Transport and Rail Services and on Managing the Region’s Environment and Climate Change.

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ADDRESSING EQUITY ISSUES AND SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE IN WESTERN SYDNEY


11 EARLY INTERVENTION AND CHILD CARE IN WESTERN SYDNEY

International and local research has established that investment in early intervention, both in early education programs and the identification of problems through childcare or pre-school, leads to better educational and life-experience outcomes. Early intervention is also cost-effective, saving at least seven times its cost in remedial action later in life (and even more in disadvantaged communities).

However, children’s services are in crisis, especially in Western Sydney, with unsustainable patterns of service shortages occurring in some parts of the region and oversupply in others. These patterns have intensified over the past five years with major expansion of private childcare centres, the development of new release areas and a declining ability to pay for childcare by some disadvantaged groups. Recent data also indicates that child care costs are increasing well in excess of the overall inflation rate. Many child care centres are being sustained only through significant council subsidies with the rationalisation or restructuring of services being considered.

However, these patterns of shortage, oversupply and cost increases are not well understood as there is limited information on supply and demand and on the issues that are driving the market.

In disadvantaged areas of the region, early education and childcare services are unaffordable to large sections of the population, even though they are provided at lower cost than in more affluent areas of Sydney. This is verified by reports of under-representation of some groups in childcare enrolments, especially Indigenous people and some ethnic groups, particularly new arrivals to Australia.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Develop funding and service provision strategies that acknowledge that early

intervention and early education make a significant contribution to skills development and future capacity for education and employment and reduce potential future costs arising from the need to ameliorate social disadvantage.

2. In cooperation with State and Local Governments, develop a benchmark for universal and/or equitable provision of early education services, in terms of hours of supply and the nature of the education services provided.

3. In cooperation with State and Local Governments, research and identify early education and childcare needs and service provision in Western Sydney with a view to developing a needs-based intervention to increase levels of education and participation in care, with particular emphasis on disadvantaged groups, ie new arrivals and Indigenous people.

4. Increase Federal contributions to childcare and early education costs, more tightly targeted to need and capacity to pay.

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12 HEALTH SERVICES AND DENTAL CARE IN WESTERN SYDNEY

Western Sydney health services and facilities are under constant pressure from the region’s continued population growth. Research undertaken by WSROC through a Health Impact Assessment of Urban Development in Greater Western Sydney suggests that in some parts of the region this problem is exacerbated by other factors such as low incomes, high car dependence, the ageing of the population and inappropriate lifestyle choices.

These issues are complicated by environmental factors such as poor air quality and the spread of the population further away from existing centres and the medical services and health facilities they contain, which will have increasing implications for residents attempting to access these services.

An emerging area of specific concern is the provision of dental care, which has been under-resourced by all levels of governments for over 30 years. Current research indicates that a high proportion of the population are avoiding necessary dental care, including both treatment and preventative procedures because of the high cost. This has obvious implications for Western Sydney and especially disadvantaged areas in the region.

Dental damage and lost teeth are significant causes of further disadvantage for those affected, limiting their food choices and causing social embarrassment, loss of confidence in society and, in the worst cases, stigmatisation. In turn this leads to negative impacts on employment opportunities, relationships and social engagement.

Furthermore periodontal (gum) disease is linked to chronic internal infections, which have other significant impacts on health and consequent treatment costs. Given that the principal reason for avoidance of dental treatment is the cost, it can be expected that people in disadvantaged areas of the region are particularly affected. For this reason alone, dental care should receive greater financial support by all spheres of government.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Consider the outcomes of the current HIA project and support further research by

WSROC and other organisations on the health impacts of urban development and the resulting implications for all levels of government and service providers.

2. Work with State and Local governments to develop preventative health programs and strategies to respond the region’s environmental issues, including poor air quality.

3. Develop strategies in conjunction with State and Local Governments to provide additional funding for health services and facilities in urban areas which are undergoing major growth and development and to deal with transport and other issues in accessing these services.

4. Respond to the wider health implications of the under-resourcing of dental care by bringing dental treatment under the Medicare system to cover non-cosmetic dental and oral health treatment, to be financed through a small increase to the Medicare levy.

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13 RESPONDING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic violence remains a major problem in all Australian communities, with numerous reports at the State and Federal level in recent years calling for a stronger response from both levels of government.

There are inadequate mechanisms for the protection and support of women and children leaving abusing home environments. More Family Relationship Centres, particularly for the Indigenous population and women’s refuges are needed, along with additional counselling and other services for existing facilities. New approaches and additional funding for community education regarding domestic violence are also required. These issues are particularly relevant in Western Sydney because of the region’s continued population growth.

The NSW Legislative Council recently reviewed the amendments to the Commonwealth Family Law Act (Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006. Its report raised concern for the welfare of women and children in light of the Amendment’s provisions requiring dispute resolution procedures and the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility. The Report made a number of recommendations to the State and Federal Governments to address these issues.

To date, the Federal Government has not increased its contribution to the funding of community services as required to accommodate award rate increases through the NSW SACs Award. Furthermore, the long standing agreement between the Federal Government and the States and Territories for dollar-for-dollar funding of Supported Accommodation Assistance Programs (SAAP) needs to be reinstated and funding increased.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Develop new domestic violence community education programs that are effective and

provide information on the operation of the Family Law Act with particular regard to access and custodial rights for children.

2. Increase funding for, and review the role of, Family Relationship Centres to provide for more centres particularly for the Indigenous community and improve the effectiveness of these centres in dealing with domestic violence cases.

3. In cooperation with State and Local Governments, adopt the recommendations of the report: “Impact of the Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006.

4. Restore the equal sharing of funding between the Federal Government and the States and Territories, for the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program and negotiate with the States and Territories for an overall increase in Supported Accommodation Assistance Programs (SAAP) funding.

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14 RESPONDING TO INDIGENOUS DISADVANTAGE

Indigenous issues are particularly significant in Western Sydney because of the region’s large Aboriginal community. The 2006 census showed a total Indigenous population in the WSROC region of 20,455, an increase of almost 2,000 since the 2001 census.

In addressing Indigenous disadvantage it is vital that all spheres of government establish goodwill and cooperation with Indigenous communities. To do this requires an acknowledgement and redress for past wrongs done to Indigenous people, including dispossession of lands, family break up, cultural repression and theft, wages withheld, ongoing native title and land custodianship rights.

An effective model of Indigenous consultation and management of programs is also required. However, since the disbanding of ATSIC, no alternative management model has been developed. Public confidence in funding of Indigenous programs has been eroded over time for a range of reasons. The identification and publication of details of the expenditure of funds for and under the control of Indigenous communities, separate from funds expended by other agencies on their behalf, would allow the Australian community to judge whether these funds are adequate and being effectively spent.

The review of the Community Housing and Infrastructure Program (CHIP) has recommended its abandonment, despite the acute housing shortage and the poor level of services and infrastructure in Indigenous communities. Regardless of whether this occurs there should be an increase in funding to address these issues and the administration of these funds should be devolved to the new structure of Indigenous management discussed above, along with increased funding for health programs.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should, in consultation with the Indigenous community: 1. Negotiate a compact of redress and reconciliation with Indigenous people that

acknowledges past wrongs done to Indigenous people by governments and other institutions and which includes a comprehensive redress and compensation package.

2. Establish a new model of Indigenous management of Indigenous programs, which should be adequately funded and charged with responsibilities to address Indigenous disadvantage in the areas of health, education, employment, housing and rates of imprisonment.

3. Restore public confidence in Indigenous programs by ensuring that the effectiveness of funds that are directly under the control of Indigenous communities is measured and published, distinct from funds spent on their behalf by mainstream agencies.

4. Ensure that funding for community housing and infrastructure currently provided through the Community Housing and Infrastructure Program (CHIP) scheme is retained and increased.

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15 SUPPORTING NEW ARRIVALS AND MIGRANTS IN WESTERN SYDNEY

One of Western Sydney’s strengths is its cultural diversity and harmony. Greater Western Sydney has a higher proportion of residents born in non-English-speaking countries than the Sydney average. Over 22,000 people with an NESB background have settled in Western Sydney in 2005 and the first part of 2006 and of these, over a third speak English poorly or not at all. Many of these new arrivals are refugees, with Western Sydney, particularly the LGAs of Auburn, Fairfield and Holroyd, a strongly-favoured destination.

The contribution of migrants to Western Sydney is overwhelmingly positive but the presence of so many new residents, many of whom have limited English language skills, is a challenge for local service providers, including Councils. Refugees in particular are often escaping oppression and torture in their countries of origin and have special medical and counselling needs.

The Federal Government has the responsibility for determining migrant and refugee intakes and providing settlement and support services. However, new migrants and refugees often turn to Council facilities and services as their first port of call, because they either do not qualify for other services or do not know how to access them. Councils and other service providers often find it difficult to prepare for new refugees as there is little advance information on where these refugees will be settling.

In addition Councils provide a range of programs which foster community harmony and participation. Councils also play a special role in providing citizenship ceremonies which are expensive to conduct because of the increasing number of new citizens

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Develop in conjunction with State and Local Governments a National Settlement Policy

which will establish a sustainable migration target and strategies to encourage the settlement of migrants to support decentralisation, whilst recognising the need to retain flexibility in responding to global refugee resettlement needs.

2. Review the arrangements for the provision of services to migrants, increase funding and ensure that Councils and service providers can plan ahead so that recently-arrived migrants and, in particular, the special needs of refugees are adequately supported.

3. Work with and provide additional support to local councils and non-government service providers in Western Sydney who are under particular pressure because of the ongoing preference of recently-arrived migrants and refugees to settle in the region

4. In light of the region’s diversity, support Councils in Western Sydney in developing programs and strategies that foster community harmony and participation.

5. Provide additional financial support to Councils to cover the costs of conducting citizenship ceremonies in light of their role in building community harmony.

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16 SUPPORTING EQUITABLE REGIONAL CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Cultural development in Western Sydney is often still regarded as a luxury, even though cultural activities and exchanges provide a critical basis upon which communities develop a sense of self-understanding and how they want to live.

Consequently, the region has suffered from a long-standing under-investment in cultural infrastructure, whilst planning and development has too often occurred within a limited cultural perspective. Furthermore, emerging cultural divides in the Australian community threaten social stability and prosperity. Western Sydney has been identified as a locus of these divisions, which highlights the need for cultural investment to address ignorance and prejudice.

The Federal Government can help frame the region’s cultural development needs in line with the region’s rapidly growing population by providing ongoing funds for cultural infrastructure, staff and programs that are relevant to Greater Western Sydney communities.

However, the Australia Council’s organisational restructure of 2005 dismantled the Community Cultural Development (CCD) and New Media Boards, the two Boards which previously provided almost half the Federal arts funding to Greater Western Sydney. It is important that the Federal Government work with the region’s peak cultural bodies to ensure that artists in this region, including those working in community-generated art and cross-artform works, have equitable access to Australia Council funds under the new structure.

The Federal Government also needs to recognise that best-practice cultural planning integrates cultural matters into broader policies for public planning. It needs to coordinate with State and Local Governments, regional arts organisations and other stakeholders to achieve regional cultural outcomes. In addition the Federal Government needs to respond to the decline in tertiary arts education in the region, which has left Greater Western Sydney – a region of 1.8 million people – with only one generic contemporary arts course.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Develop a Federal government cultural framework that clarifies the interrelationships of

Federal agencies to State and Local cultural planning and quality of life, and encourages jointly-funded strategic cultural research and projects.

2. Within this framework, work with State and Local governments to invest in Western Sydney cultural infrastructure to address the region’s history of under-provision and to meet the needs of the region’s growing population.

3. Provide funding for community partnership initiatives for regional and local community cultural development as a strategy to ensure cultural input in development planning and decision-making and to improve relationships between people of differing cultural backgrounds.

4. Work with the region’s peak cultural bodies to ensure that all artists in Western Sydney working in all artforms have equitable access to Australia Council funds.

5. Provide additional resources for tertiary arts education in Western Sydney to fund the restoration of specialised courses at the University of Western Sydney or to support the establishment of courses in the region by other institutions.

See also paper on Supporting Tertiary Education in Western Sydney

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17 PLANNING HOUSING FOR A POLARISED CITY

The social landscape of Western Sydney is characterised by increasing polarisation between suburbs across the region. While Sydney’s inner city areas have experienced unprecedented pressure from densification and gentrification and the newest outer suburbs have undergone an upward transition in terms of social composition, the areas in between – the “middle suburbs” of Western Sydney - are now ageing.

Many of these areas are now becoming major locations of urban disadvantage, yet to date land use planning has not played a significant role in addressing these problems. The higher density older housing found in some of these areas is now catering for at least five distinctive sub-markets – immigrants, older retirees, mature people, low income households and young people. At the same time further expansion at the urban fringe is attracting families on higher incomes seeking lower residential densities.

As a result, the spatial structure of Sydney is becoming increasingly polarised, with some middle suburbs experiencing major social problems. Whilst many of these issues are a State Government responsibility, the Federal Government also has a key role through national housing and settlement policies and the spatial implications and interactions of its migration, housing, income support, employment, health and transport policies.

Recent media reports have also highlighted a significant increase in mortgage defaulting in Western Sydney, particularly in some of these disadvantaged areas. High house prices, rising interest rates and marginal or unsustainable mortgage agreements all contribute to this problem. Meanwhile the shortage of affordable rental housing is at an historic high in parts of the region.

As a result of these trends, a record numbers of families, both home purchasers and renters, are in “housing stress”. Poor public transport provision, limited employment opportunities and scarce community services and facilities are all factors that further erode the real affordability of housing in some older suburbs.

ACTION PLAN

The incoming Federal Government should: 1. Establish a Ministry for Housing and Urban Development tasked with the responsibility of

developing a National Affordable Housing Plan in co-operation with State and Local Governments, the housing industry, academics, consumers and other housing stakeholder groups.

2. Replace the Commonwealth/State Housing Agreement with a National Affordable Housing Agreement, opening up avenues to improve funding avenues for public and community housing.

3. Develop taxation measures that favour low-cost housing construction, particularly in the investment property market, and direct funding towards schemes developed by the AHURI network for the leveraging of private investment in low-cost or affordable housing to prioritise the delivery of housing to low income private renters and first home buyers.

4. Provide appropriate funding for homelessness services and encourage innovation to ensure the diverse needs of homeless Australians are met.

5. Work with all spheres of government to identify the direct impacts of Federal Government policies on urban areas, particularly those with high levels of social disadvantage and minimise any adverse impacts including those resulting from social polarisation.

6. Develop a comprehensive national policy framework in conjunction with State and Local Governments that addresses population growth, infrastructure development and sustainability for regions of national significance such as Western Sydney.

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GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY – A STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT

2007 FEDERAL ELECTION ISSUES PAPER WSROC Councils*

Eleven: Auburn, Bankstown, Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Blue, Mountains, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Holroyd, Liverpool, Parramatta and Penrith.

MACROC Councils*

Three: Camden, Campbelltown, Wollondilly.

Area (GWS*) 8,940 sq km. The largest council is Hawkesbury (2,776 sq km), the smallest Auburn (32 sq km). The majority of land in GWS (over 60% by area) is in National Parks, reserves,special protection areas, regional or local parks, mostly in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury Council areas.

Population The GWS region had a population of 1.8 million (1,788,967) at the 2006 Census, representing 43% of all persons in the Sydney Statistical Division (SD). The localgovernment areas (LGAs) ranging from Blacktown (over 270,000) to Auburn (just under 65,000). GWS average annual growth from 2001 to 2006 was 4.3% compared to 4.0% in Sydney as a whole. By 2021 it is estimated GWS will have a population of over 2.2million or 49% of Sydney’s population.

Age The GWS region has a younger age profile than Sydney as a whole. In 2006 22.6% of the population were aged less than 15 years compared to 19.5% in Sydney SD. In 2006, 9.9% of the population were aged over 65 years compared to 12.3% in Sydney SD.However, there has been a differentially greater shift away from younger age rangesand towards older people in GWS compared to the whole of Sydney.

Ethnicity In 2006 33.1% of the population were born overseas, compared to 31.7% in Sydney. The proportion of those born overseas is increasing faster in GWS than it is in Sydney asa whole, up from 24.9% per cent in 1981 to 33.1% in 2006. In Fairfield and Auburn overhalf of the population were born overseas at 2006.

Households There were 573,035 households at the 2006 Census in GWS (or 40.3% of the Sydney total), ranging from 85,604 in Blacktown to 19,054 in Auburn and 12,888 in Wollondilly. Between 1981 and 2006 household numbers in GWS increased by 214,377, or 59.8%, substantially higher than the growth in households in Sydney over this period (33.7%). In2006 there were 3.1 persons per household in GWS, down from 3.4 in 2001 but still higher than in the rest of Sydney.

Families In 2006 54.3% of all families were couple families with children, compared to 50.1% in Sydney. Almost 27% were couples without children (32.4% in Sydney) and 17.4% single parent families, compared to 15.5% in Sydney. While the number of single parent families increased in GWS by 5,227 in GWS and 6,522 in Sydney SD, the proportion of single parent families increased by 1% in GWS from 2001-2006 compared to a 0.5% increase for the whole of Sydney during the same period.

Tertiary Education:

117,848 GWS region residents attended a tertiary education institution in 2006 with just under 41.4% (48,880) at TAFE and 57,085 (48.4%) at university. 8.5% of the GWSregion’s population were attending a tertiary institution compared to a Sydney average of9.4%. Over 70% of students attending UWS live in Greater Western Sydney. A similarproportion of students at UWS are also the first members of their families ever to attend auniversity course.

While the proportion of the GWS population attending tertiary education as a whole dropped by 1.2% between 2001 and 2006, the decline in attendance in TAFE was0.6% while university attendance increased by 0.2%. During the same period tertiary education participation for Sydney as a whole dropped by 0.9%.

Economy Greater Western Sydney produces more than $80 billion in economic output annually, making the region Australia’s third-largest economy (after Sydney CBD and Melbourne). 150 of Australia’s top 500 companies are located in the Greater West.

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Employment An estimated 913,806 GWS residents were in the workforce in June 2005, an increase of 49.9% from 1991. In 2001 nearly 70% of the workforce was employed in the region, which had 80 jobs for every 100 resident workers (the difference is due to the number of people resident outside GWS who have jobs in the region). The unemployment rate in GWS in June 2005 was 5.6% and all LGAs achieved a trend unemployment ratebelow 10%.

However, parts of the region still contain areas of relatively high unemployment, particularly Auburn (9.0%) and Blacktown (7.4%), compared to the GWS region as awhole (5.6%) and Sydney SD (4.5%) in June 2005. Councils with new release areas on the urban fringe recorded the highest rates of increase in employment between 1986 and 2005, while some the older middle suburbs saw no increase in their employed residentbase.

Employment remains a critical issue: projected rates of population increase over the next20 years mean very significant employment growth will be needed to just maintain the present degree of labour market regionalisation. An estimated additional 215,000 to 250,000 jobs will need to be created within GWS and another 100,000 jobs outside the region for GWS residents.

Transport Just 8.9% of all journeys to work were made by train or bus in GWS in 2001, compared with 12.6% in the rest of Sydney. Of these trips 7.5% were by train and only 1.4% by bus (compared with 8.0% and 4.6% respectively in the rest of Sydney). Car trips accounted for 66% of the region’s commute to work compared to 57.7% in the rest of Sydney.

Since the 1970s over 100km of motorways have been constructed to serve WesternSydney, including the M7 Orbital which added 40km and largely completes the region’s motorway network. In the period since the 1930s, however, the rail network in WesternSydney has had less than 15km of rail track added. In addition two bus transitways have been constructed.

In 2006 over half (50.3%) of GWS households had two or more motor vehiclescompared to 46.2% in Sydney SD. In 2006 only 2.3% of GWS residents walked to work compared with 3.8% in Sydney SD.

Housing Between 1996 and 2006 the proportion of dwellings fully owned in the GWS region dropped by 9.9%, while those being purchased increased by 8.9%. The proportion ofhouseholds in rented dwellings increased by 0.6% in the same period. While the proportion of growth in separate houses decreased by 3.6% there was a corresponding increase in ‘other’ residential dwellings by 3.6%.

The Department of Planning estimates that by 2031 there will be over 350,000additional dwellings in the GWS region compared to the 2004 of total of 609,000, an increase of over 57%.

Environment Greater Western Sydney contains a diverse range of national and built environment with the majority of the region’s land in parks, reserves or agricultural areas.

The region is divided into three major water catchments: the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, Georges River and Sydney Harbour/Parramatta River. These waterways are coming under increasing pressure from the urban development associated withpopulation growth. The region’s biodiversity is also threatened from fragmentation andhabitat degradation. In addition Western Sydney’s air quality is under pressure from motor vehicle and industry pollution within the region as well as circulation of air affected by pollution from the rest of Sydney.

Note: where possible and except where otherwise indicated these statistics are based on the 2006 ABS Census. * GWS: Most of the ABS figures quoted are based on Greater Western Sydney – the 11 WSROC Councils

plus the three MACROC Councils. Some 2001 and older GWS figures may include the WSROC Councils plus Camden and Campbelltown only. Figures specifically referring to WSROC are based on the WSROC region only. Whilst the WSROC region is the greater part of GWS, it should be noted that the Issues Papers refer to issues and actions proposed specifically in relation to the WSROC region.

DisclaimerAny representation, statement, opinion or advice, expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith but on the basis that WSROC Ltd and its member Councils are not liable (whether by reason of negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any representation, statement or advice referred to here.

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