Centre for Western Sydney welcomes budget support for growing region, calls for long-term investment

The Centre for Western Sydney, within Western Sydney University, has highlighted that the NSW Government's 2026/27 Budget delivers practical support for Western Sydney households through cost-of-living relief and investment in key infrastructure. However, experts from the Centre have warned that greater investment in public transport and local job creation will be needed to address the region's long-term challenges and support its continued growth.

Professor Azadeh Dastyari, Director

Professor Azadeh (Az) Dastyari is the Director of the Centre for Western Sydney and a Professor of Human Rights Law at Western Sydney University. She leads place-based research, engagement, and advocacy that seeks to unlock the unlimited potential of Western Sydney, with a strong focus on challenging systemic inequality and amplifying community voices. Professor Dastyari has held academic appointments at Harvard Law School, Georgetown University, and the European University Institute, and her expertise is regularly sought by parliaments and United Nations bodies.

“Western Sydney is a critically important region that has traditionally determined who forms government. Nine months out from the State election, Daniel Mookhey's fourth Budget shows a deep understanding of this reality and speaks directly to the pressures facing one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. Does it go far enough? More will always be needed to make up for decades of underinvestment. But this is a cautious Budget that delivers practical measures for Western Sydney households and communities. Time will tell if it is enough to convince the electorates that will make or break the next election.”

“Western Sydney families rely on their cars more than anyone else in Sydney. Lower registration costs, a reduced toll cap and the abolition of toll notice administration fees in the NSW budget will be helpful for many in our region who are doing it tough in a cost of living crisis. What the region needs in the long term, however, is to break its dependence on cars altogether. Only serious investment in public transport, beyond those promised in this budget, will get people off the roads and drive economic opportunity across the region.”

Professor Neil Perry, Chief Economist

Professor Neil Perry is Chief Economist of the Centre for Western Sydney and specialises in economic development.

“This was a good budget for Western Sydney with fair funding for Western Sydney social and physical infrastructure, equivalent to the size of the region in the state with 33 per cent of the total population of New South Wales.”

“While the funding on important connecting roads in Western Sydney is welcome, such as Elizabeth Drive and Fifteenth Avenue, it was disappointing that there were no new public transport projects announced. New train connections between major centres in Western Sydney need to be prioritised. The bus network could be upgraded in the meantime to connect the West to the West.”

“While this was a positive budget for Western Sydney, with good cost of living measures and fair social infrastructure funding for Schools, the one thing Western Sydney needs is jobs. Western Sydney has 82 jobs for every 100 workers and this is not predicted to change out to 2061. This means that many Western Sydney workers have long commutes to work in the eastern CBD. The best thing the government can do for Western Sydney is to encourage jobs growth closer to where 33 per cent of the state lives in Western Sydney, which reduces cost of living pressure, stress and exhaustion.”

To arrange an interview, please email media@westernsydney.edu.au.

ENDS.

24 June 2026
Media Unit