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Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 24 January 2005 RECORD INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Craig Knowles said today that further evidence of Sydney’s growing and ageing population* underlined the importance of the Carr Government’s record investment in infrastructure.
“Every week, Sydney’s population grows by around a thousand people.
“In response to that growth, this year’s capital works budget is a record $7.5 billion. This is an increase of $491 million or 7 per cent on the previous year. In real terms this is 33 per cent more than what was being spent in the 1990s and double what was being spent in the 70s.
“An analysis of the Sydney region’s population projections suggests that the most significant growth will occur in the west – in and around the new land release areas in the north- and south- west in particular.
“The Government has already released its strong and detailed plans on how that growth will be accommodated, and at the heart of those plans is our commitment to delivering infrastructure like roads and schools as those communities grow.
“Over the next five years, the Government has committed to:
- the opening up of the Western Sydney Parkland, a massive open space and recreation area linking the major land release neighbourhoods - the establishment of four of the dozens of new schools that will eventually be needed in the north- and south- west - investing in land that will be needed for a new rail line from Glenfield to Leppington and - upgrades to the Camden Valley Way, Narellan Road and The Northern Road.
“These projects are just the start of delivering the estimated $7.8 billion of infrastructure that will be needed in the new release areas.
“The population projections also look at the growth trends in already established areas.
“The recently announced land releases relieves pressure on existing suburbs, creating the opportunity to focus on keeping real neighbourhoods with easy access to services, shops and open spaces.”
Mr Knowles said that the ageing of our population was also clearly reflected in the population projections.
“By 2031 a number of suburbs will have close to or over 20 per cent of their population aged over 65.
“That change brings with it a whole new set of pressures and requirements on our infrastructure.
“We need to look at how growth in some of the northern and eastern suburbs can be achieved, taking advantage of the excellent existing infrastructure – such as health and transport – in particular for the over 65 age group.”
-ends-
Media Contact: Kathy Connell 0419 239 178
* Transport & Population Data Centre New South Wales Statistical Local Area Population Projections 2001-2031, 2004 Release: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/tpdc/2004release.html
© NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
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