• Newly established Steering Committee developing action plan to deliver against economic blueprint for Western Sydney
• Steering Committee to work with Strategy Champions, business and government leaders to drive the region’s jobs growth over the next five years

The Designing Western Sydney Steering Committee is meeting for the first time on Tuesday 2nd February, coming together with the Strategy Champions (including the WSBC CEO, Michael Sugg), announced by the Hon. Stuart Ayres, MP at a 400 strong business and community event in Western Sydney at the end of last year. This inaugural leadership workshop marks the start of an unprecedented collaboration and commitment to deliver 200,000 great new jobs for Western Sydney by 2020.

The Deloitte authored report Shaping Future Cities: Designing Western Sydney was endorsed and launched by the NSW Premier, the Hon Mike Baird MP, at Rosehill Gardens in Parramatta in December 2015. This economic blueprint examines Western Sydney’s comparative strengths and provides a roadmap to help businesses, communities and local councils capitalise on these strengths at a time when Western Sydney is booming.

The Steering Committee, comprised of business and government leaders, including the Hon. Stuart Ayres, MP, will guide and support the Champions as they lead the blueprint’s 25 strategies and progress implementation of associated recommendations throughout 2016.

The impact of the blueprint is already delivering positive results, with a number of recommendations being put into effect, including the establishment of a Western Sydney University campus at Olympic Park. The NSW Government’s decision to locate the Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) in Parramatta, and move the Department of Education there, highlights its commitment to bringing jobs to the West. The importance of connectivity has also been recognised through the NSW Government’s recent announcement around the Parramatta Light Rail, with its commitment to implement this new infrastructure through value sharing further demonstrating its backing of the Designing Western Sydney blueprint.

“It’s fantastic to see such progress at this early stage and with the Steering Committee meeting and being connected with the Champions for the first time today, we will start to see much more,” said Danny Rezek, Deloitte Western Sydney Managing Partner and co-author of the blueprint.

“With the calibre of leaders we are working with and their unwavering commitment to delivering the blueprint recommendations, we are excited about achieving the vision we have set out for Western Sydney,” he went on to say.

The Steering Committee will meet monthly, with Champions regularly reporting on progress against the 25 strategies. The Steering Committee itself will provide updates to the now up and running Greater Sydney Commission, led by Chief Commissioner and Western Sydney advocate Lucy Turnbull, AO, as well as the heads of several key State Government Agencies.

Deloitte partner and blueprint author, Theo Psychogios, said: “We will continue to involve our 400+ stakeholders throughout the year and share our progress. But the real measure of success will be our annual report card, which will evaluate progress against the delivery of the blueprint recommendations and be shared with the community at the end of the year.

“Accountability is key to our success in delivering jobs for Western Sydney and enabling the region to become the NSW economic powerhouse it has the potential to be. We have the backing of the NSW Government and importantly the support of the NSW Premier and Minister Ayres, as demonstrated by their presence at the launch of the blueprint and Minister Ayres’ ongoing commitment to his role on the Steering Committee.

“The Steering Committee and Champions are not simply figureheads but are on the ground, working together and with business, government and the community to build platforms for jobs growth, to create jobs and to connect local people with these jobs.

“We’re keen to build on the current momentum and early successes. Following today’s initial meeting and leadership workshop we look forward to making further announcements on progress around areas including healthcare and education, tourism and skills development, so watch this space,” commented Psychogios.