At the May Council meeting, through a Mayoral Minute, I put forward a plan and vision for the future growth of our City, which was unanimously endorsed by all councillors.
My proposal will bring to life Fairfield Showground, one of our most precious City assets, which covers about 22 hectares (55 acres).
The proposal involves transforming our City by connecting people and destinations. It will open the Showground gates to the community, where they will find a premier location for sports and events in South West Sydney.
Our Showground gates would be open to the public for the first time in almost 70 years. The planned precinct would be a Centre of Excellence for our talented sports people and one of the best events and festivals arenas in South West Sydney. The Showground would attract larger family festivals, similar to an Easter show, create local jobs and place Fairfield on the regional map.
Walking tracks and bike tracks will be built and a community garden established to educate our children and the community about how to grow fresh vegetables.
The transformation of the Showground would also play a vital role in advocating for light rail to our City. I have received the support of WSROC (Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils) for a light rail link to be established, possibly connecting people across South West Sydney.
Light rail could connect our employment lands in Smithfield-Wetherill Park to the future airport, our town centres (such as Bonnyrigg, Wetherill Park and surrounding locations) to the regional cities of Liverpool and Parramatta, and directly connect to currently proposed light rail systems to inner Sydney and fast trains to Sydney.
More than $70 million in infrastructure has been invested in the City this year alone and these projects will be completed in the next few months. Council has next to no debt and the lowest rates in Western Sydney.
It's important that we now show vision and start our plans for building our future today, so we can deliver these projects for tomorrow and continue to invest in our City and its people, and place Fairfield city on the regional stage.
Crowds at Fairfield Showground in 1960.