Wollondilly Shire Council has endorsed its key advocacy priorities for the State and Federal Government Elections 2025-2027 as part of a fresh approach to advocacy, while acknowledging the progress made so far alongside its partners to achieve positive outcomes for the community.

Wollondilly worked consistently with groups of other councils and allies to secure a bipartisan election commitment for $1 billion towards a rail corridor from Macarthur to the new Western Sydney airport in the lead up to the 2025 Federal election.

The Shire will finally see a second high school, opening at Wilton in 2027, in response to calls made by Council alongside the State member and the community.

Mayor Matt Gould said, “We’re planning for the long term, setting out what our Shire and community needs as we grow. Rail, roads and basic enabling infrastructure top the list, along with health, education and protecting our unique environment.”

“We have made great progress recently on some of these high priority issues, and we will continue to work with our partners to advance our key priorities as part of the new Advocacy Framework.”

“Council will keep working closely with our Federal and State representatives to gain government support to progress planning for key infrastructure such as the Picton Bypass, public transport and community infrastructure.”

“Wollondilly is at a critical point in its growth journey, and we expect to see significant growth within the next 10-year period, predominately in the state-led growth areas of Appin and Wilton. We need to be clear about what we need for our existing residents as well as for our new residents.”

“Advocacy in Wollondilly is really about securing the essential services and infrastructure our communities need, while preserving and enhancing what makes Wollondilly such a desirable place to live.”

A review and health check of Council’s approach to advocacy focused on aspects such as what works well and what can be done better to provide a strong voice on behalf of the Wollondilly community.

The internal review considered a large range of previous community input, including Community Strategic Plan submissions, the Local Strategic Planning Statement, submissions on planning matters pertaining to Wilton and Greater Macarthur, as well as the outcomes of adopted plans and strategies across Council.

Work was carried out to establish a two-tier approach for advocacy to make it clear and strong, and allow it to be matched with appropriate tools, resources and campaigns.

As Council takes this fresh new approach in its advocacy work, it aims to make clear priorities and to explore opportunities for partnerships, lobbying, and building relationships with decision makers.

The key advocacy priorities endorsed at Tuesday night’s meeting were:

• Connecting Wollondilly - including delivering the Macarthur Metro, extending the T8 line, commitment to the Macarthur-Illawarra link and proving immediate Rapid Bus
• Wollondilly Roads – including the Picton Bypass, Wilton interchange and reclassification of regional roads to State roads
• Basic Infrastructure to deliver housing during the housing crisis– including building the Upper Nepean Treatment Plant before 2032 and spending Housing and Productivity funds in Wilton
• Schools – including delivery of the Wilton K-12 School and a commitment to a Wollondilly North Public High School
• Access to Health – including a Wilton Integrated Health Care Hub with Urgent Care and land for a future hospital
• Protecting Wollondilly’s unique environment – including a Bargo River Gorge National Park, regional koala strategy and caring for rural lands.

 Council will continue to advocate on a range of additional local matters that are also very important to the Wollondilly community, and will tailor efforts as needed with the aim of getting as many positive outcomes as possible.

In future updates, an additional priority focused on community cohesion, inclusion, and social infrastructure will be also be included.