The New South Wales Government has been issued a warning by Penrith Council to take action to ensure the City doesn’t run out of jobs.Penrith Council has warned the State government that it could return to the dark old days when the western suburbs were ‘dormitory suburbs’.
“In the 1970s, Penrith City was home to a commuting workforce with only 39 jobs for every 100 workers,” deputy mayor Jim Aitken said.
While that figure has now increased to 63 jobs per 100 workers, with rapid population growth proposed for the City in coming years, it’s important local employment opportunities increase alongside population.
The Council said jobs were vitally important to the long term viability and prosperity of the City.
“A strong, diverse economy protects the robustness of the region,” Councillor Aitken said.
He believed western Sydney has traditionally been concentrated on manufacturing and retail which are often the first industries to suffer during any economic downturn.
Creating more jobs was one of four priority areas Penrith was advocating for in the lead up to the state election and beyond – along with lifestyle, connections and enhancing the regional centres.
“Penrith City Council continually works hard to campaign for a diverse range of quality local jobs supported by efficient public transport and better linked roads,” Cr Aitken said.
Along with the Penrith Business Alliance, Council believed the area between Nepean Hospital, UWS and TAFE campuses could be transformed into a premier destination for education, medical research and related industry.
The Council was also calling on the candidates to make a commitment to infrastructure and land use planning to deliver the precinct, which was estimated to create 13,000 new quality professional jobs in the next 25 years.
“These two items are part of Council’s advocacy program, which has 11 priority issues," Cr Aitken said.
“They are essential for the long term wellbeing and liveability of our communities.”
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