POLITICS
Paving the way for
north west Sydney
with Michelle Rowland MP Federal Member for Greenway
Upgrading our local roads is essential to keeping our community moving. It’ s one of the issues residents often raise with me, and a priority I am committed to delivering.
North West Sydney is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, but for too long our road infrastructure has failed to keep pace.
Families have been left spending more time in traffic and less time at home.
That’ s why I’ m proud that the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments are getting on with the job of delivering the upgrades our community needs.
I have fought hard to secure over $ 1 billion in funding for major projects across our area, including Burdekin Road and Townson Road, Garfield Road East and West, Bandon Road, Richmond Road and Prospect Highway.
Works are now underway on the vital $ 720 million Richmond Road upgrade. Traffic modelling shows these upgrades will cut travel times by around 21 % in the morning and 34 % in the afternoon- real relief for local families.
In addition, I secured funding for planning works on future upgrades along the corridor to The Driftway.
Separately, the Bandon Road upgrade will deliver additional lanes, a new underpass to replace the busy rail crossing, and improved connections between Windsor Road and Richmond Road.
Meanwhile, upgrades to Garfield Road West will increase capacity and improve safety, and Garfield Road East is being widened from two lanes to four between Riverstone and Box Hill.
These are critical projects that will ease congestion, improve safety and better connect our suburbs, and I will continue to keep the community updated as work progresses.
You may have also seen that the brand new, toll-free M12 motorway is now open, connecting Western Sydney to the new Western Sydney International Airport.
This vital new motorway will support jobs, growth and connectivity across our region.
Working together, State and Federal Labor are delivering the infrastructure Western Sydney needs- so you spend less time on the road, and more time with your family.
MESSAGE
with Brad Bunting Mayor, Blacktown City Council
Honouring the women of Blacktown City
I enjoyed congratulating Blacktown City’ s Woman of the Year as part of Council’ s International Women’ s Day celebrations in March.
SydWest Multicultural Services CEO Elfa Moraitakis received the honour for expanding the reach of the organisation. This is the second time Elfa has won this award, a credit to her commitment to our community.
I also congratulated Council staff winner Farideh Bahrami, Director of Kids’ Early Learning Seven Hills East Centre
Farideh is a mentor for colleagues and her leadership has played an important role in the centre exceeding the national quality standards rating.
I hope we can recognise the work of outstanding women in our community throughout the year and provide equal opportunity for recognition and reward.
Exciting news for library visitors
I have great news for the many people who visit Marsden Park Temporary Library – Council is opening the library more often.
Our community has fallen in love with the library and its children’ s activities since it
FROM THE
MAYOR
opened in 2024, and has asked for more.
I am pleased we can meet this request. The library has a new day of operation, Fridays, from 10 am to 6 pm.
Hours have been extended on Saturdays to 9 am to 2 pm, while Wednesday hours remain 10 am to 6 pm. Marsden Park is Sydney’ s second largest growth area and deserves a larger, full service library.
Council is unable to fund one because of 2012 legislation that restricts spending developer levy funds on community infrastructure.
I am making the case to the NSW Government that it is time to amend this rule so people can receive services they deserve.
Council is also working to secure funds for a larger, full service library.
Wishing you a peaceful Easter
We are almost one third of the way through the year and I would like to wish Independent readers a happy and safe Easter break.
I hope you are able to spend time doing what you enjoy and be with those you love most. The school holidays often lead many of us to go travelling and enjoy the great outdoors.
If you are driving, please keep to the speed limit and don’ t drive after drinking alcohol.
Let’ s do our best to have an Easter holidays we all enjoy.
16 ISSUE 61 // APRIL 2026 theindependentmagazine. com. au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT