Premier Keneally responds to 10 Big Ideas to Grow Penrith

11 June 2010
by The Hon Kristina Keneally MP
Premier of NSW

This blog is an excerpt from a letter recieved from Premier Keneally:

I welcome the Penrith Business Community's 10 Big Ideas for Penrith.

My Government shares the principles of 10 Big Ideas for Penrith and continues to work hard to secure investment and business prosperity, jobs growth, improved infrastructure, and to cut red tape and improve government services.

I am proud that NSW had led the other States in recovering from the challenges of the Global Financial Crisis, with the largest infrastructure building program in our history.  The 2010-11 Budget has seen a return to surplus, but I am determined to achieve more.

Budget initatives include the country's first Home Builders Bonus that makes housing more affordable by reducing or eliminating stamp duty for certain home buyers. In addition, the double cuts to payroll tax and its higher threshold will boost economic activity across NSW, including in Western Sydney.

My Government is commited to continuing the pace of economic growth, and I believe that supporting key regions like Western Sydney is critical to achieving this success. That is why on my first day as Premier I attended the Western Sydney Jobs Summit, to listen to the views and advice of the local community, and why in May I returned to Western Sydney to repsond to the community's ideas. That is why contributions like 10 Big Ideas for Penrith are so important.

Penrith is a core part of the Western Sydney Business Growth Plan, which guides our work across the region. The $12 million Western Sydney Business Employment Fund is already helping manufacturing companies relocate and expand closer to workers and customers. We are also working to attract professional services, such as accounting, legal and design businesses, to the area, and are helping business start-ups and expansions.

My Government's vision for Penrith City Centre Plan, development of the Penrith Health and Education Precinct around Nepean Hospital, and plans to transform the Penrith Lakes Scheme from quarrying to parklands, lakes and urban developments, will shape future opportunities for Penrith's local industry and community.

Transport infrastructure improvements, such as Budget funding for new or upgraded Transport Interchanges (including those at Kingswood and Werrington) and plans to build a 1,000 space commuter car park at Penrith Station will help to address the transport challenges of the area.

Local opportunities and critical for local success, however it is also important that we address the significant infrastructure issues on a State-wide basis. This is why we have worked closely with the community to inform both the Metropolitian Transport Plan, and Connecting the City of Cities and the current process to update the Metropolitan Strategy. Together, these strategies will set a key framework that is necessary to meet the needs of business and the community over the next 25 years.

I assure you that my Govermment will consider every one of the 10 Big Ideas for Penrith in detail. I commend you on making this contribution towards meeting the challenges of building Penrith's future.

 About the author:

Premier Kristina Keneally MP The Hon Kristina Keneally is Premier of NSW.