Have your say on Stronger Communities funding

Inner West Council is still consulting with the community on how $14 million of NSW Government funding should be spent.

The Stronger Communities Fund Major Projects Program was established by the NSW Government so merged councils can kick-start projects identified by the community as priority projects.

"One of the tangible benefits of the new Council is the ability to accelerate provision of much needed community infrastructure and projects," Administrator of Inner West Council Richard Pearson said.

"We recently held a Forum with community members on how the funding should be spent."

Community members were asked: Which option should Council focus its spending on?

• Transport Infrastructure – including roads, laneway and footpath renewal, flood mitigation, traffic calming and pedestrian safety, and bridge replacement.
• Community Facilities – community halls and meeting facilities, libraries and childcare centres.
• Recreation and Sustainability – such as parks, reserves and the GreenWay.

The forum was well attended with a diverse range of people from across the local government area, who heard Council experts present information on the three options.

Feedback from the attendees included questions around cycling priority and planning, climate change actions such as flood mitigation and solar projects, any opportunities to enhance Aboriginal heritage in the inner west, and accessible parking, kerbs, footpaths and public toilets for people with a disability.

"The Forum was a valuable opportunity to work with residents and community groups to prioritise infrastructure projects that will make a real and lasting difference to the life of our local communities," Mr Pearson said

"We are giving the community plenty of opportunities to tell us what they think. I urge everyone to ensure they have their say at a community event or on our online engagement hub."

Consultation is on-going until the end of the month. All inner west citizens are invited to have a say at Council's events: Marrickville Festival, Sunday 23 October and Norton Street Festa, Sunday 30 October. As well, the online engagement is taking feedback until the end of the month at www.yoursayinnerwest.com.au.

Staff are now working on a list of project costings in all three options. The project list, along with the community-voted options, will go to the Stronger Community Fund Major Projects Assessment Panel, which includes State MPs and former Councillors from each of the three former Councils.

Their recommendations will be put to the December Council meeting.

Funding of $15 million was allocated to the new Inner West Council through the Stronger Communities Fund as a result of the merge of the three former councils of Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville.

One million dollars was set aside for the Inner West Stronger Communities Grants Program, leaving $14 million earmarked for major projects that will be delivered over the next three years.