Mr NATHAN HAGARTY (Leppington) (18:08): I speak on behalf of the residents of Austral—a community that, despite rapid growth, continues to be left behind when it comes to basic infrastructure. Over the past decade, Austral has been dramatically transformed. What was once a rural area on the fringes of Sydney has now become a major suburban growth front. Austral's population has surged from just over 3,000 people in the mid‑2010s to more than 20,000 residents today. While the State and Federal Labor governments are investing heavily, Liverpool City Council has failed to deliver recreation facilities, community centres, libraries or properly upgraded roads, leaving Austral without the basic infrastructure it was promised and has effectively already paid for in the form of significant developer levies.
One of the most glaring—and, frankly, unacceptable—failures is the absence of parks and open space in Austral. Land has been earmarked for parks and sporting fields. Contributions for those projects have been collected from developers and, ultimately, from families who bought into the suburb. Yet Austral residents continue to live without adequate open space. That is not a new concern. Residents began raising the alarm in the 2010s. In 2021, as part of an ABC story, I spoke with families who had moved to Austral, having been sold a promise that parks and footpaths would soon follow. Instead, they found themselves relying on backyards or driving to neighbouring suburbs just to find somewhere safe for their children to play. Half a decade later, Austral is still waiting.
In my frequent meetings with Liverpool City Council, I am repeatedly assured that land has been acquired, funding has been secured and projects have been scheduled. Yet the reality on the ground tells a very different story. Every major park project in Austral remains unfinished, delayed or trapped in planning limbo. In a letter, to me last year, Liverpool City Council CEO Jason Breton stated:
There were no new parks under construction or works at parks or open spaces in the Leppington Electorate within the last twelve months.
That is a staggering admission for one of the fastest‑growing areas in the State and perhaps the country. In some cases, things have not just stalled; they have gone backwards. At Scott Memorial Park, council recently removed one of the few existing sets of playground equipment in the suburb. Residents were told that a $500,000 upgrade would deliver a renewed play space, with construction expected to begin in October 2024. Obviously, that date has passed and the community is still waiting. At Local Park 22, next to Austral Public School, council promised a grassed field by December 2024. That promise also has been broken. The land remains fenced off and inaccessible, despite nearly $1 million in funding from both State and Federal grants. Across Austral, the pattern is the same: deadlines missed, commitments shifted and families forgotten.
What makes this failure even more concerning is that it is happening while Liverpool City Council sits on one of the largest developer contribution balances anywhere in the State. The New South Wales Auditor‑General's Local government 2025 report found that councils across the State were holding $5.4 billion in developer contributions. Liverpool City Council was one of the worst offenders, holding $317 million. That is money collected specifically to deliver infrastructure for growing communities like Austral. Families have paid their share. Developers have paid their share. The question is why the council has failed to deliver its share.
By comparison, other councils in my electorate have delivered for their communities. Willowdale, in the Campbelltown local government area [LGA] includes a major sporting precinct. Emerald Hills Reserve, which is within Camden Council, has two full‑size sporting fields and cricket facilities. Both suburbs are well supported by neighbourhood parks that include play spaces, outdoor fitness equipment, picnic shelters and barbecues. Austral residents deserve no less. They are not asking for luxury facilities or special treatment; they are asking for the basics—safe parks, usable open space, community facilities and infrastructure that matches the size and needs of their growing suburb.
The State Government is investing and so is the Federal Government. The community has invested through rates and contributions. It is well past time for Liverpool City Council to meet its end of the bargain. That is why I am encouraging every Austral resident to have their voice heard by completing my community petition calling for immediate delivery of parks and open space. Residents can share their views and support this campaign by visiting my website. Austral does not need more concept designs, more community forums or more council reports. Austral needs parks—and needs them now.
