6 July 2017 – Media Release
Cumberland Council will be working closely with the NSW Government to deliver new schools, public transport, road upgrades and more to Wentworthville and Westmead after they were deemed ‘priority precincts’ by the Department of Planning & Environment.
The decision means Council can build on the work recently done on future planning for the two suburbs to deliver organised local and regional infrastructure to support these communities in a time of significant growth.
Cumberland Council Interim General Manager Malcolm Ryan expressed his ‘excitement’ surrounding the future of Wentworthville and Westmead but urged the State Government to not ‘undo the careful planning work already done in Wentworthville.’
“Becoming a priority precinct has a host of benefits associated with it and Council looks forward to working closely with the NSW Government to deliver a complete plan for the future of Westmead and Wentworthville,’ said Mr Ryan
“These two areas were recognised as priority precincts because of their recent growth and good connection to transport. Now we want to nurture this growth and secure the future by providing road and public transport upgrades, schools, open spaces, housing, jobs and services.
“Cumberland Council has already done a lot of planning for the Wentworthville Town Centre with a strategy for the future adopted in August 2016 so it’s pleasing to have assurance that increasing development there will be supported by state and local infrastructure.
“Westmead is a very important health and education Centre and a similar strategy will be developed by Council that works alongside State plans. This strategy will then be put before the community.
“The most important thing is that the community is involved in decisions and kept informed of what’s planned. Cumberland Council will be advocating for its residents on all planned housing in both precincts.”
The Department of Planning & Environment are holding drop-in sessions for the public to find out more about the priority precinct planning process for Wentworthville and Westmead: Thursday 20 July from 5pm to 8pm Wentworthville Community Centre, 2 Lane Street Wentworthville.
