Some wins for outer suburbs, but long-term solution missing

The major political parties have gone some way to addressing the $50 billion backlog in roads, public transport and health facilities in these areas, by between them backing 12 of the projects advocated by the Fund our Future campaign. 

“We are pleased to have secured commitments to the majority of the projects we highlighted in the campaign,” says Fund our Future spokesperson, Glenn Docherty. More than a billion dollars for these projects has been promised during the election by the two major parties. 

“If delivered, these projects would ease nightmare commutes for residents in the short-term, but on their own they won’t bring about the long-term benefits we know a strategic approach would deliver,” says Glenn Docherty, who is the Mayor of one such area, the City of Playford in Adelaide’s north. 

The Fund Our Future campaign calls for a dedicated national fund for growing outer suburbs, but priority projects were used to illustrate the sorts of infrastructure that could be a reality if a fund were established. 

“While we have made progress, we will continue to advocate for what is really needed: a long-term approach to these areas – and a fund to match – so that we can seriously address these chronic infrastructure issues which already affect five million residents,” says Mayor Docherty, who is also the Chair of the National Growth Areas Alliance (NGAA), which is behind the campaign. 

Around 100,000 emails have been sent to Canberra supporting the call for a dedicated infrastructure fund for fast-growing outer suburbs. 

One of the developments for outer suburbs was the Liberal Party’s commitment to a City Deal for Western Sydney, which would be centred around Western Sydney Airport.

“The concept is in line with our research and our approach. We will watch with interest how it is implemented. We would also like to see a similar place-based focus on other outer suburban areas,” says Mayor Docherty.

A step backwards for outer suburbs is the Coalition announcement that if it is re-elected, the billion dollar National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) will be renamed and will exclude all metropolitan areas, including outer suburbs, which previously had access to it.

Commitments to Fund our Future projects: 

Both parties have earmarked $50 million for the upgrade of Appin Road in Sydney’s South West.

Also in Sydney’s West, the Liberal Party has committed to two other roads: $80 million towards the upgrade of Mulgoa Road in Penrith and $2 million towards widening Campbelltown’s Badgally Road. The Labor party has committed to another Sydney project highlighted by the campaign: a rail link connecting the city’s north-west and south-west, which would service the new airport. If elected, a Shorten Labor Government would contribute $400 million for the rail link.

In Victoria, the Labor Party has backed three projects being advocated by the Fund our Future campaign. The $262 million Melbourne Roads Package includes four roads that have been nominated as being key priorities to address growth in outer Melbourne: Thompsons Road in the south east and O’Herns, Craigieburn and Bridge Inn Roads in the north. 

In SA, the Labor Party has backed South Australia’s Gawler rail electrification ($76 million). In Perth, Labor has earmarked $80 million for the Armadale Road Bridge over the Kwinana Freeway, linking North Lake Road with Armadale Road (referred to as ‘North Lake Bridge’ in Labor Party statements) and $1 billion has been committed for Metronet to build new lines and extend the passenger rail network across Perth, including outer growth areas and two of our priority projects – extending the northern suburbs line to Yanchep and commencing a circle line, linking the Mandurah Line to the Thornlie Line. 

The Greens have indicated that as well as investing in public transport, they will invest $250m in arterial roads in suburban and outer urban communities. 

“Thanks to everyone who has taken part in our campaign – we couldn’t have done it without you,” says Mayor Docherty. “The campaign has brought outer urban needs to the fore and resulted in some positive commitments. But the need for a long-term, stable funding mechanism to get beyond the election cycle lucky-dip approach remains.” 

Residents and those working in fast-growing outer suburbs are encouraged to take part in the Fund our Future campaign by signing and sharing our petition at www.fundourfuture.info

The Fund our Future petition will close at midnight on Friday.