This Place Has Potential – So Where is The Infrastructure?
Some great places don’t just happen, they are created. Take for example Box Hill, where once there were paddocks with cattle grazing. Now, we have aspiring families eager to embrace their new suburb. You would think that moving about in Box Hill would take just minutes to travel through, around and outside the area, but existing road infrastructure is too narrow, devoid of roundabouts, traffic signals at major intersections, footpaths and adequate drainage, hence the time spent commuting is atrocious.
These issues create constant stress and disappointment. Locals are asking why a suburb with so much potential, is lacking in these basic features? A park or two would be nice and safe, pedestrian access when crossing busy roads should be a given, but with rising land and construction costs and the undervalued contributions from property sales, there is a shortfall of $207 million in The Hills Shire Council’s budget to complete all outstanding infrastructure needed for Box Hill to be the outstanding suburb that locals deserve.
In ten years, the population is expected to increase to 50,000 residents, so Box Hill needs delivery of infrastructure now, to meet that growth. Neighbouring areas of Western and Northwest Sydney are experiencing rapid progress as investment in the Sydney International Airport and Aerotropolis and extensions of the Sydney Metro are prioritised. It is therefore crucial that we continue raising issues of inadequacy experienced by the Box Hill and neighbouring residents, so that a fairer future for The Hills and Hawkesbury can be secured.
The Federal election has provided a platform to escalate funding shortfalls for major projects impacting Hawkesbury residents, including the ridiculous decision by the NSW Government to exclude a birthing suite from Rouse Hill Hospital. My representation to the Minister for Health seeking funding for this facility was flatly refused, but our collective continued advocacy has meant that both Labor and Liberal Federal candidates have committed $120 million to build a birthing suite at Rouse Hill Hospital. Now that’s a win for the community!
The Pitt Town Bypass is moving ahead too with contracts being awarded and the new Richmond Bridge has a pledge of a further $114 million to complete all works. Again, the Federal election has proven to be the catalyst for these funding opportunities, which otherwise would have fallen short. Don’t you just love an election to fill funding gaps that may never have been achieved?
