INDEPENDENT magazine group HAWKESBURY • HILLS • BLACKTOWN
INDEPENDENT magazine group HAWKESBURY • HILLS • BLACKTOWN
Julie Ryan 0421 574 093 OWNER / PUBLISHER info @ hdinews. com. au PO Box 16 WINDSOR NSW 2756
LOCAL LIFE
Western Sydney calls for coordinated growth in‘ Sydney Plan’
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
SUB EDITOR
SENIOR JOURNALIST
JOURNALIST
JOURNALIST
FREELANCE WRITER
SPORTS WRITER
CONTRIBUTORS
SOCIAL MEDIA
PHOTOGRAPHY
ADVERTISING SALES
Natalie Reed 0411 030 474 Natwest Creative Designs www. natwestcreativedesigns. com. au
production @ hdinews. com. au
Lorraine Clifford 0488 025 533 lorraine @ hdinews. com. au
Greg Martin 0420 655 524 greg @ hdinews. com. au
John Macdonald john @ hdinews. com. au
Christine Rau 0499 049 240 info @ hdinews. com. au
Lorna Gordon 0402 596 244 lorna @ hdinews. com. au
Matt Austin 0425 304 006 duckman @ hdinews. com. au
Lachlan Turner
Haley De Martin 0408 634 583 haley @ hdinews. com. au
Kathryn Johnston 0422 404 366 kath @ hdinews. com. au
Myee Lallyette 0413 305 578 myee @ hdinews. com. au
David Burnet 0412 448 883 david @ hdinews. com. au
www. theindependentmagazine. com. au
Disclaimer: The comments of columnists and contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Independent magazine group. The Independent nor any person acting on their behalf, may be held responsible for the use to which the information contained in this publication may be put, or for any errors which, despite careful preparation and checking, may appear.
The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils( WSROC) is calling for better coordination between housing and infrastructure as part of its formal response to the NSW Government’ s draft Sydney Plan.
Representing councils across Greater Western Sydney, WSROC has provided detailed feedback on the long-term strategy, which sets out how Sydney will manage growth over the next 20 years— including plans for housing, jobs, infrastructure, sustainability and community development.
With Western Sydney firmly at the centre of that growth, the stakes are high. By 2036, more than half of Sydney’ s population is expected to live west of Parramatta, with the region forecast to grow from 2.8 million people today to 4.1 million by 2041.
While councils support efforts to accelerate housing delivery, WSROC has made it clear that new homes must be matched with essential infrastructure.
“ Growth without the necessary infrastructure places pressure on existing communities, reduces liveability and ultimately leads to more costly fixes down the track,” the organisation stated.
Councils are urging the NSW Government to ensure housing is planned alongside transport, utilities,
schools, health services, open space and community facilities— not after the fact.
In its submission, WSROC outlined several key priorities for the Sydney Plan, including:
• Aligning housing targets with funded infrastructure delivery
• Publishing a 10 – 20 year integrated spatial and infrastructure plan aligned with local planning cycles
• Clearly defining NSW Government agency responsibilities and delivery timelines
• Recognising Western Sydney’ s established centres, growth corridors and existing strategic planning work
• Funding enabling works and social infrastructure in line with population growth
• Embedding measurable targets for climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity and sustainable development
WSROC said addressing these priorities will be critical if the Government is to boost housing supply without compromising quality, resilience or long-term liveability.
Western Sydney councils have reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively with the NSW Government to ensure future growth is well-planned, properly funded and built to support thriving communities.
For more information, visit WSROC’ s full submission to the draft Sydney Plan https:// wsroc. com. au / media-a-resources / submissions? task = download. send & id = 413 & catid = 2 & m = 0
Aerial view of Western Sydney housing estate.
Would you like a vending machine in your place of business?
Talk to us today!
Free Hire Available
WE SUPPLY Snacks & drink combos Drink machines Snack machines
Talk to us today!
0403 583 412 or 0421 574 093
PHOTO FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY
4 ISSUE 130 // APRIL 2026 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT