Penrith – leading the way for smarter cities

Friday, 29 April 2016

With the right investment Penrith can be more competitive nationally, and globally and is well positioned to pilot the Federal Government’s Smart Cities Plan, according to Mayor Karen McKeown.

"We welcome the Federal Government's commitment to further investment in infrastructure and a fresh approach to funding that supports more productive, accessible, liveable cities and creates jobs," Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown said.

"Penrith has experienced significant, sustained population growth over several decades which is more than growing pains, it's reaching a critical point where the productivity lost due to congested roads and inefficient transport systems is costing Australia money.

"Increased infrastructure spending in Penrith would provide significant returns on investment in terms of boosted productivity, better quality of life and creation of new business and employment opportunities."

Penrith recently gave the Federal Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor an overview of the opportunities for economic uplift around the airport and the increased productivity that could be realised through better infrastructure and local jobs.

"The new airport has the potential to generate unprecedented transformation in our region - support from the Federal Government will expedite this transformation and deliver benefits far beyond the airport itself," Cr McKeown said.

The Government's Smart Cities plan focuses on smarter investment in transport and urban renewal and seeks to increase well located, affordable housing and improved amenity of the spaces in which we live and work.

"If the Government is looking for a project, a rail link between the North West and South West growth centres via Western Sydney Airport is a stand out. It would not only stimulate economic opportunity but also improve accessibility and productivity for Australia's third largest economy - Western Sydney," Cr McKeown said.

"To maximise Western Sydney's productivity and realise the region's potential there needs to be north to south rail connection across Western Sydney. Rail will re-shape the region and be followed by new town centres and jobs within 30 minutes of where workers live."

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Friday, 29 April 2016.