BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT BCI 48 MARCH 2025 | Page 18

POLITICS

Two years of building a better community for all of us

with Warren Kirby MP
As we approach its second anniversary , the Minns Labor Government is getting on with the job of building a better community for all of us in Sydney ’ s booming North West . From investing in record cost-of-living relief , building the Rouse Hill Hospital and rebuilding public education , Labor is addressing the needs of our growing community .
Cost of living relief
We recognise that families in the North West are doing it tough . That ’ s why we ’ ve invested in a range of measures to put money back in your pocket , including :
- A $ 60 weekly toll cap , which has saved Riverstone motorists over $ 3 million ;
- Record increases to the Family , Seniors and Low-Income Household Energy Rebates ; and
- $ 500 long day care fee relief to reduce the cost of long day care for three year olds .
There ’ s more to do , but when I speak to residents in our community they tell me that these measures have been of immense help in taking the pressure off . Building Rouse Hill Hospital The Minns Labor Government is delivering the 300 bed Rouse Hill Hospital , with construction starting in 2026 . The Former Liberal Government promised but never delivered this facility , failing to even plan for an emergency ward . When all is said and done , it took the Liberals twelve years to deliver an empty field , but it ’ s taken the Minns Labor Government two years to design , fund and plan to start building the facility . Rebuilding public education The Minns Labor Government are
rebuilding public education in the North West . Since we came to Government , we ’ ve started works on Tallawong Public School and Nirimba Fields Public School , secured a site for the new Tallawong- Schofields High School and funded upgrades to The Ponds High School , Riverbank Public School and Schofields High School . We ’ ve also seen a 40 % reduction of teacher vacancies statewide , meaning more face-to-face teaching time with students .
I want to thank the community , who have backed me in and quantified my advocacy with countless submissions and inquiries . If it weren ’ t for this , many of these local achievements wouldn ’ t have been possible . There ’ s more to do , but we ’ ve made great progress and I ’ ll continue building a better community for all of us .

More families in Mount Druitt to benefit from flexible early childhood education

The Minns Labour Government has announced that 36 early childhood education and care services will receive over $ 5.9 million to trial extended hours and create an additional 350 places for children .
As part of the second round of the Flexible Initiatives Trial ( FIT ), this funding builds on the first round in April 2024 , which saw 16 services across the state expand their operating hours , including weekends . Among the recipients is Mount Druitt ’ s own Murray-Toola Damana Preschool . This initiative allows services to explore new models tailored to local families ’ needs , ensuring childcare is available when required and reducing obstacles to workforce participation .
The funding will enable services to create up to 350 new childcare places , extend operating hours , fund new educators and teachers , open additional rooms , expand programmes , and establish five new family day care services .
This trial is part of the NSW Labour Government ’ s broader commitment to supporting children and families in the early years . A historic $ 769 million investment will see 100 new public preschools built across NSW — the largest investment in the state ’ s history . An additional $ 60 million will go towards upgrading preschools in non-government schools , while $ 17 million will support capital works for early childhood services .
Local MP Edmond Atalla welcomed the announcement , saying , “ Improving access to early childhood education in Western Sydney is crucial for young families . This initiative ensures every child in Mount Druitt receives high-quality early education from the very start .”
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