A mammoth $768 million of new infrastructure is needed in the next 27 years to accommodate Wyndham’s surging population – that’s the call being made by the city’s council.
Mayor Peter Maynard says the city will need eight new children’s centres, 11 new community centres (including two libraries and a performing arts centre), 33 new sports fields and four new indoor recreation centres in the next three decades.
“At the same time, we need to ensure that our ageing infrastructure in our established suburbs is maintained and renewed to ensure that people in those suburbs have access to excellent facilities,” Cr Maynard said.
“It is estimated that the total new community infrastructure requirement to be provided by council is $768 million over 27 years.
“This infrastructure expense cannot be undertaken by us alone and will require other funding partners and grant contributions.”
In February, Wyndham’s population officially outstripped that of Geelong for the first time, making it the second-largest city in the state behind the City of Casey.
The growth shows no signs of slowing. By 2028, Wyndham’s population is tipped to reach 332,857 people and by 2036 more than 435,000 people are expected to call Wyndham home.
Cr Maynard welcomed the state government’s decision to pour another $50 million into its growing suburbs fund for the 2018-19 financial year, which will go towards key infrastructure projects across Victoria’s growth areas.
Wyndham, one of 10 councils to benefit from the growing suburbs fund, has received about $14 million since it was established in 2015 to support the Chirnside Park redevelopment, Mossfiel Reserve upgrades, Wyndham Park redevelopment and other projects.
Treasurer and Werribee MP Tim Pallas said the new money would “help build everything from new sports pavilions to community parklands – ensuring locals have more of the facilities and services they need closer to home”.
