City unveils $1.9 billion infrastructure program

The City of Sydney Council is poised to spend almost $2 billion on infrastructure to ensure Sydney remains an internationally renowned city, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has declared.

Announcing the City’s draft 2013/2014 Budget and 10-year Corporate Plan last week, the Lord Mayor said the $1.9 billion investment over the next decade was made possible by the Council’s healthy financial position.

“With careful planning, broad consultation and prudent investment over a number of years, we’ve built a healthy bottom line … Now we want to invest those funds to strengthen Sydney’s international reputation as a leading global city – renowned for its lifestyle, economy, tourism, sustainability, open space and cultural life,” said Ms Moore.

Major commitments include $400 million for roads, recreational facilities, affordable housing and other initiatives at Green Square; $220 million to pedestrianise and beautify George St; and $180 million for improvements to footpaths, roads and paving throughout the local government area (LGA).

The plan includes $200 million for the 2013/2014 financial year, including approximately $17 million on bikeway extensions; $10 million for the refurbishment of Albert Sloss Reserve and Heffron Hall in East Sydney; and $7 million for public art.

But the spending program has drawn concern from several councillors, who say it lacks detail on expenditure relating to big-ticket hobbyhorses of the Clover Moore-led Council.

“Loads of questions remain about the cost of trigeneration,” said Liberal Councillor Christine Forster.

“What the City’s proposing to do has never been done before … we’re talking about bringing a large-scale, gas-based power generation scheme into the heart of the city, retrofitting established built-up areas. The reality is no-one can say what it will cost,” she said.

“It’s not core business of local government to be a power generator … we should be concentrating on developing better council services, not embarking on new schemes which pose a significant risk to the City’s finances.”

Living Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas alleged the infrastructure program was geared more towards “legacy building” for the Lord Mayor than residents’ practical needs.

“I’m concerned about the emphasis on Clover’s grandiose pet projects rather than what people actually need,” said Ms Vithoulkas.

“She wants to leave a grand legacy. That’s why we see $2 million being spent to plant a hedge [on Cleveland St] while homeless people are starving in the streets.”

Ms Vithoulkas acknowledged the City had attained an enviable financial position under Ms Moore but claimed it was more to do with demographics than careful management.

“Clover is lucky to be leading a Council with an excellent ratepayer base … including many national and multinational corporations. Most LGAs don’t have that income stream.”

However, Labor Councillor Linda Scott praised the “fiscal responsibility” that made the expenditure possible, and said she generally supported the City’s budget and corporate plan.

“I’m particularly happy about the $55 million allocated to new childcare centres,” said Ms Scott.

The draft budget and corporate plan is on public exhibition until June 12, and can be viewed at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au and the City’s Neighbourhood Service Centres in the CBD, Glebe, Green Square, Kings Cross and Redfern.