The City of Sydney’s $1.6 billion 10-year budget will aim to build major community infrastructure, reduce carbon pollution, increase open space and provide for the growing population.
The $279.2 million capital works budget for 2018/19 sets aside $159.2 million for major projects, $58.9 million for asset improvements and $56.1 million for maintaining existing public infrastructure assets.
A further $38.6 million will also go towards the NSW Government’s light rail project as part of the City of Sydney’s overall $220 million commitment.
Green infrastructure projects will receive $6.1 million, including major efficiency improvements across City of Sydney properties and installation of solar panels.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the council is making significant investments in community infrastructure to improve the lives of the 1.2 million people who live, work and visit Sydney every day.
“Over the next 12 months, we will deliver on our commitments to increase open space across the city, accelerate our action to reduce carbon emissions, and build high-quality facilities,” Cr Moore said.
“We will build two new parks, upgrade seven existing parks and playgrounds, add 9,000 square metres of new and upgraded street gardens, and increase open space by more than 2,500 square meters.
“We have carefully budgeted these new initiatives to make sure the city is liveable, affordable and sustainable for future generations.”
The City of Sydney has also planned to increase the sporting facilities and open spaces available, after receiving positive feedback from the community supporting more funding for the endeavour.
“Four out of five of our residents already live in apartment buildings and that number is expected to increase as our population grows,” Cr Moore said.
“Our parks and playgrounds are essentially their backyards. That is why we are committed to upgrading our parks and playgrounds, creating continuous green corridors, and building new recreational facilities to encourage healthy outdoor lifestyles.”
The 2018/19 City of Sydney budget will be open to the public from 16 May to 13 June, with the council to consider it for final adoption afterwards.
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