Investment Talks for North West Sydney’s Infrastructure
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey MLC met with Riverstone MP Warren Kirby in a community forum at the North West Business Chamber on Friday, 10 November 2023, about the Minns Government’s aim to address “long overdue” infrastructure plans in North Western Sydney.
In the 2023-24 Budget, more than $600 million is aimed to be invested in North Western Sydney, alongside $200 million for the next two years for important evacuation routes in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley.
In addition, a $100 million budget is eyed for the widening and duplication works of Garfield Road East at Riverstone and an additional for Richmond Road widening, located between Townson Road and the Westlink M7.
As the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley was flooded six times between 2020 and 2022, one of the most impactful in recent decades, The NSW Government’s first Budget allocated about $433.1 million for a crossing at the Hawkesbury River at Richmond.
The Minns Government said it will scrap draft planning proposals for Marsden Park North and Riverstone Town Centre on Sunday, 12 November, while West Schofields precinct will partially continue with its draft plans under strict conditions.
The decision is part of the Government’s election commitment to halt housing on high-risk flood plains in Western Sydney due to concerns about the road network’s capacity to hold off disasters, as indicated by the Flood Evacuation Modelling (FEM) report.
Commissioned by the previous government, the FEM report, which the Minns Government said was never made public, indicates infrastructure that will fail in an emergency. The Government, since then, has released the said report and allotted funds to infrastructure gaps. 
The Government appointed Professor Roberta Ryan, a strategic planning expert, to impart independent community liaison support to aid affected landowners in Marsden Park North, Riverstone Town Centre, and West Schofields to understand and navigate the problem.
An additional $121 million is also allotted to the NSW Reconstruction Authority from the NSW Government’s first Budget, which adds to the state’s capability to anticipate disasters.
The Minns Government mentioned it did not cause the problem but remains dedicated to resolving it.
Deputy Premier Prue Car said the investments by the Minns Government in the local roads network will provide relief to locals who get stuck in traffic on Richmond Road.
“Locals have been asking for upgrades to their roads for years but their calls have fallen on deaf ears. We have listened and are acting to provide relief so that they are spending less time in their cars and more time with their families at home,” the Deputy Premier said.
“Not only will these roads upgrades make our suburbs safer they will also make life easier for thousands of motorists.”
On the other hand, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey stated that the NSW Government has shown in the first Budget its commitment to a “safer and more secure and disaster-prepared Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley.”
“I want to thank people from Riverstone and surrounds for coming out today and talking about the government’s plans.”
Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby MP mentioned how delighted he is with the NSW Budget outcome for Riverstone, especially the Government’s approach to addressing “the past infrastructure shortcomings.”
“The Budget secures $100 million for Garfield Road East, $75 million for Bandon Road to bring the total funding to $150 million and $260m for Richmond Rd. All of these upgrades help address road deficiencies identified in the FEM report,” Warren Kirby said.
“The Rouse Hill Hospital has finally been funded for $700 million promised also allocates funding for the construction of three new schools, local road improvements, and the upgrade and delivery of Rouse Hill Hospital.
