The peak body representing councils in Western Sydney, the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), has expressed concern about important omissions in the NSW Minns government’s 2025-2026 budget announced yesterday, Tuesday 24 June 2025.

“While we welcome the government's 2025-2026 budget initiatives, particularly those providing increased support for Western Sydney, there are clear gaps in funding for some of our region’s chronic challenges including waste management, resilient housing and preparing for the impacts of disasters and climate change and local government sustainability,” said WSROC President, Councillor Brad Bunting.

Waste remains an underfunded essential service

“First, while the budget claims a conservative focus on delivery of ‘critical services’, it fails entirely to mention one of the most fundamental services in our city, waste collection and processing.

“This essential service – provided to every household and business across Sydney – is facing a looming crisis.

“A critical shortage of landfill disposal space is only a few years away, and recycling infrastructure fails to keep pace.

“It is disappointing to see a ballooning $971 million in waste levy funds collected yet the Budget shows no urgency to address this waste crisis and spends these funds elsewhere.

Investment in transport equity                            

WSROC member councils welcome the budget’s funding to establish and continue the NSW Motorways Entity.

“WSROC has long advocated for a more consistent, fairer approach to tolls and road funding. There is a need for an independent state entity to ensure value for the community,” said Cr Bunting.

“We also welcome broader investments in transport including $450 million to expand and upgrade bus services, and $5.5 billion for Western Sydney roads.

“In particular, we are pleased to see business case funding for Metro lines from Leppington to Bradfield, and St Marys to Tallawong.

“These critical links are priorities for Western Sydney residents. With a clear business case, we hope that these projects can be accelerated.

Resources and skills for local government

“Councils will be pleased to take advantage of the $51.2 million ‘Fresh Start Program’ that aims to support councils in attracting critical skills via traineeships and apprenticeships.

“The need to address local government skills shortages has been an ongoing priority for our members and we hope this funding program will help.

“Unfortunately, other local government programs (including a $6 million state-wide Companion Animal Grants Program) are a drop in the ocean for local needs.

“Following the recent inquiry into local government sustainability we had hoped to see more support for local service delivery.

Cost-of-living relies on housing quality – not just quantity

“We welcome efforts to accelerate housing delivery in NSW, and particularly the focus on quality as part of funding the NSW Building Commission.

“However, we caution that the purchase price of a dwelling is just one element of the cost of housing.

“The cost of running a home - including energy, insurance, and services - are major challenges for our communities, particularly for renters and those living in social housing.

“As we streamline housing delivery, by-passing the normal checks and balances provided by councils, it’s more important than ever to get the settings right.

“It is also critical that we balance our need for affordable housing, with the requirement for that housing to be sustainable, protecting endangered and threatened biodiversity.

“It is important we see comparative spending from the government on programs to protect our unique Australian species and ecological communities, especially in Western Sydney.

“We strongly urge the government to build once and build right.”

Preventing natural disasters

“WSROC represents some of NSW’s most disaster-affected councils. While we welcome the strong investment in emergency services and infrastructure, we were disappointed to see less focus on disaster mitigation and adaptation outlined in the budget.

“Whether fire, flood, storm or heatwave, as the costs of disasters grow, we must turn our attention to reducing impacts.”