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The Core Challenge  

Western Sydney’s challenges are not the result of individual disadvantage — they are the outcome of decades of structural under-investment relative to growth. Today, this shows up as:

• Persistent rental stress, overcrowding and hidden homelessness

• The longest commute times in Greater Sydney

• High exposure to heat and poor walkability in many suburbs

• Rising rates of chronic disease linked to urban form

• New housing delivered without early transport or community infrastructure

These are not just social issues. They are now major budget and productivity risks for NSW.

Our Three Priority Budget Reforms 

1. A Dedicated Western Sydney Social & Affordable Housing Pipeline

We are calling for a long-term, guaranteed housing delivery pipeline that provides:

• Secure, well-located social and affordable homes

• Use of public land for mixed-tenure housing

• Integrated planning for transport, schools and health services

Stable housing reduces pressure on emergency accommodation, hospitals and the welfare system — and strengthens workforce participation.

2. Transport Equity & Cross-Regional Mobility Reform

Western Sydney workers are locked into long, complex and costly commutes because cross-regional public transport remains limited. We are advocating for:

• Faster delivery of orbital and cross-regional transport

• Growth-linked bus network reform

• Guaranteed last-mile connections to hospitals, TAFEs and major employment precincts

Transport access is one of the most powerful levers for economic participation and social inclusion.

3. Preventative, Climate-Ready Built Environments

Heat exposure, low tree canopy and poor walkability are now driving avoidable health costs across Western Sydney. We are seeking:

• Investment in cool streets, shade and walkable neighbourhoods

• Green and blue infrastructure

• Community health hubs co-located with housing and transport

This is infrastructure-led health prevention — not discretionary urban amenity.

A System Reform at the Heart of Our Submission: The “Fair Share” Budget Test 

Beyond individual projects, GWSAN is calling for a Western Sydney Fair Share Budget Test to be adopted by NSW Treasury. This would require agencies to publicly demonstrate:

• Per-capita fairness in capital investment

• Alignment between population growth and spending

• Regional equity in long-term infrastructure planning

In short, equity must become a rule of the budget system — not a hope at the end of it.

Why the 2026–27 Budget Matters 

• Without structural reform in:

• Housing delivery

• Transport access

• Preventative built-environment investment

Western Sydney will continue to generate predictable and escalating costs across hospitals, emergency accommodation, welfare and justice systems. The 2026–27 Budget is a critical opportunity to shift from reactive spending to long-term prevention and productivity.

What Happens Next 

Our submission has been lodged through the NSW Treasury consultation process and shared with relevant agencies and decision-makers. We will continue to:

• Brief government and MPs

• Advocate for a fair share of public investment

• Work with local councils, researchers and community partners to strengthen the evidence base

This is not a one-off submission — it is part of GWSAN’s long-term mission to ensure that the one in ten Australians who live in Greater Western Sydney receive their fair share of opportunity, infrastructure and wellbeing.

About GWSAN

GWSAN is a civic advocacy and research network working to support fairer housing, transport, healthy communities, civic participation and regional equity across Greater Western Sydney through research, public engagement and systems-level advocacy.