Those plains signalled an opportunity for the region to be much more than an English penal colony.

At the time his vision to create “Five Towns’’ and a food bowl were ridiculed but history tells us Macquarie got it very right.

Fast forward 200 years and Western Sydney is now home to more than two million people and one of Australia’s most important growth sectors. The conversation has now turned to very different “planes’’.

For many years Western Sydney and Badgerys Creek have been at the centre of discussions around a potential second Sydney airport.

While I accept that the time may have come for a decision on Sydney’s airport needs, I remain unconvinced that Western Sydney is the answer.

I am sceptical at the forecast employment growth numbers and the integrity of impact assessments on the communities that would surround the Badgerys Creek site.

I don’t believe anyone wants aircraft noise over their homes undefined particularly if the airport arrives without a comprehensive infrastructure and jobs plan.

The benefits for local residents need to go beyond proximity to an airport.

While there are differing opinions on the merits of a second Sydney airport, it is good to see people of all political persuasions finally acknowledging the value of Western Sydney to the growth of Australia.

Show the people of Western Sydney some respect about their future needs and I’ll show you a community prepared to listen.

For Western Sydney to thrive and prosper, the debate needs to move beyond simply where a second Sydney airport should be located to a more sophisticated conversation about the very real infrastructure needs our region is crying out for.

For decades Western Sydney has been a beacon for Australians, and recent arrivals to this country, who have deciding it was the best place to build a new and rewarding life.

Unfortunately those decades saw successive governments, both state and federal, fail to plan and fund much needed physical and social infrastructure.

For far too long Western Sydney has been underutilised, undervalued and, most of all, underestimated.

The current jobs shortfall in Western Sydney is in excess of 180,000 and projected to grow to 290,000 within 20 years. Meanwhile, the population grows.

In the electorate of Lindsay there are five housing estates under construction undefined Jordan Springs, Mulgoa Rise, Caddens, Waterside and Thornton undefined with major developments under way in the north west and southwest growth sectors to meet demand. But the question remains, where will these people work?

The emergence of the University of Western Sydney as a world-class institution, together with Sydney University establishing a teaching facility adjacent to Nepean Hospital, highlights the fact we are establishing a highly educated workforce seeking skilled employment.

Currently two-thirds of Penrith residents travel east every day to work, which is unsustainable and creates strain on our inadequate road and rail infrastructure.

The people of Western Sydney deserve the opportunity to compete economically and to do that we need to create smart jobs and tap into the innovative minds of our local community.

The discussion needs to be focused more on the infrastructure needed to link the employment hubs of Western Sydney to create an economic corridor.

We need to look beyond city-centric infrastructure and truly connect the regions across Sydney.

Mulgoa, Mamre and Northern roads must be upgraded, with the latter linking Luddenham to the M4 allowing for the longer term construction of the outer Sydney Orbital.

Consideration should also be given to intermodal terminals and key rail and road infrastructure upgrades designed to meet the growing needs of the region.

The delivery of key infrastructure in Western Sydney will lead to housing, employment and continued investment in services.

Quite simply, we need a more balanced and equitable Sydney, not simply tarmac in a cow paddock.

I remain committed to fighting for the Western Sydney region and open to constructive conversations about infrastructure and investment in our region.

Fiona Scott MP is the federal Member for Lindsay, and represents Penrith, St Marys, Glenmore Park, Cranebrook, Colyton and Mulgoa residents

Source: The Daily Telegraphy by Fiona Scott MP. Original article.

Don't miss the final Asian Champion's League pool match where Western Sydney Wanderers take on Guizhou Renhe.

Book now to see the Wanderers take on Asia's best and take advantage of a networking opportunity with key Australian and Asian businesses in a relaxed sporting environment.

The match will be held on Tuesday 22 April at Parramatta Stadium. 

One of the Australia's most recognised youth workers is hoping he can help to reduce unemployment and rising gang violence in western Sydney.

Order of Australia Medal recipient Les Twentyman today announced a new partnership between his Melbourne based foundation 20th Man Fund and training organisation Astute Training in Penrith.

"We're very excited to be in western Sydney," he said.

"Sport and education is our prime focus.

"We want to keep kids in classes and out of courtrooms."

The youth foundation has teamed up with training service provider Astute Training, youth public housing provider Evolve Housing and sporting clubs the Greater Western Sydney Giants, Penrith Panthers and Western Sydney Wanderers.

At the launch today, Twentyman addressed a group of western Sydney youth workers, training agencies, housing providers, politicians and sporting clubs.

"There are kids out there who are treading water and waiting to drown," he said.

"We need to throw a lifejacket to them which is the youth workers to save these kids.

"Youth workers are brokers, they broker young people who are disconnected and try to connect them up with services."

Mr Twentyman said many young people from low socio-economic pockets in western Sydney lacked positive role models in their lives.

"Youth workers can step into that void," he said.

"Sometimes if they [young people] don't have role models, the only role models are their drug dealers.

"That is going to be one of our big focal points, which is connecting with these kids and trying to work them back into mainstream education or training."

Based in Melbourne, the youth organisation has built a reputation for actively tackling gang culture and steering potential youth away from crime and into school or work.

It provides a number of services and programs, including counselling, education, sport and support services to at-risk youth in Melbourne's outer suburbs.

"One of the big issues facing Australia at the moment is disengaged young people," said Twentyman.

"That's why we're seeing unprecedented problems with street gangs, youth gangs, bikie gangs and also methamphetamines.

"We believe by giving to young people at an early stage, we have the opportunity if we have the resources, to shortcut them out of that life and hopefully into training then into a job."

Former Australian Matildas football player Danielle Brogan who was in attendance said it was important to provide the right support.

"Support is something and it's hard to come by," said the Sydney FC player.

"Give them a few targets in life and help them out with something they might be struggling with.

"We're happy to get out there and help these kids and hopefully show them some things they've never been taught before."

Source: ABC by Allan Clarke and Mohamed Taha. Original article.

Parramatta Council has been calling for the funding and Mr Robertson is also promising the establishment of the Western Sydney Economic Development Authority (WSEDA) if elected to work on building jobs in the west and with the Commonwealth on the “delivery of a second ­airport in western Sydney”.

The pledge comes after Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian confirmed earlier this month a Parramatta light rail project was “in the mix” for the government ahead of the next election but did not commit to any funding. Her comments came after plans announced by Urban Growth NSW included a map showing light rail through Parramatta.

Under Parramatta Council plans, one line would operate from Westmead through ­Parramatta to Macquarie Park and another from Parramatta to Castle Hill, with hopes a Parramatta-Bankstown line could be added.

Mr Robertson’s office said Labor would commit $20 million for a “detailed feasibility study into the Western Sydney Light Rail Network undefined a project that would connect Sydney’s major development centres, universities and new urban communities”.

“Importantly, the network will address the lack of cross-regional transport links in Sydney, especially north-south connections,” a spokesman said.

The Opposition claims the project could generate $5 ­billion in construction activity and 2500 jobs. It is also promising to ­establish WSEDA which would oversee economic, jobs and infrastructure growth across western Sydney and ­co-ordinate government agencies to deliver infrastructure.

“Western Sydney is a region of immense potential undefined but one that faces challenges,” Mr Robertson said. “Labor has already called for a western Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek undefined a project that will be a catalyst to transform the region. A western Sydney light rail network is an exciting project that will ­provide much needed transport links across the region.’’

Source: The Daily Telegraphy by Andrew Clennell. Original article.

The federal government announced yesterday it planned to sell the government-owned private health insurer by next year.

But rather than use the ­proceeds to help with what ­Treasurer Joe Hockey has ­described as the debt crisis left by Labor, the government confirmed it would put the money into building things.

While many of the infrastructure projects being planned for western Sydney will require more immediate funding, larger projects such as the second airport undefined which has yet to go to cabinet undefined will now be partly funded from the proceeds of the Medibank Private sale.

Tomorrow Mr Hockey will meet state and territory treasurers to broker a deal in which he will tie future infrastructure funds to the sale and ­recycling of state public assets.

Sources said the federal government had set an example before the meeting by ­announcing it would use the money from privatising its own assets undefined such as Medibank Private undefined to put into the ­national infrastructure funding pool.

The Daily Telegraph revealed last month that the federal ­government would announce a $200 million-plus infrastructure package for western Sydney to ­accompany the airport.

However, it is expected that the infrastructure package to be announced in the May budget will now be significantly larger for western Sydney.

Finance Minister Mathias ­Cormann confirmed yesterday that the Medibank Private sale would go ahead in the 2014-15 financial year.

He said a scoping study had confirmed there was no longer a compelling case for the federal government to own the insurance provider.

He said the study also showed the sale would not necessarily result in higher ­premiums for its members.

“Medibank Private is a ­commercial business operating in a well-functioning, well-regulated competitive private health insurance market with 34 competing funds,” he said.

“There is no market failure in the (private) health insurance market.”

“The sale of Medibank Private will remove the inherent conflict currently in place where the ­government is both the market regulator and the owner of a large participant in the market.”

The federal government has appointed three new board members undefined Clayton Utz corporate lawyer David Fagan and experienced company directors Linda Nicholls and Christine O’Reilly undefined to oversee the sale.

The federal opposition has said it is opposed to the Medibank Private sale but admitted it was powerless to stop it because legislation already existed that would allow it.

Labor’s manager of opposition Tony Burke said the sale would wipe out dividends paid by the insurer to the government and reduce the ability to return the federal budget to surplus.

Source: news.com.au Original article. 

The all new Corolla Sedan has arrived at Lander Toyota and has been packed with new features.

The new model now comes standard with reverse camera and parking sensors along with the following:

• LED Tail Lamps
• Front Bucket Seats
• 7 SRS Airbags
• Display Audio
• 16" Alloy Wheels (SX & ZR models)
• Smart Entry & Smart Start (SX & ZR models)
• Front Fog Lamps (SX & ZR models)
• Auto Rain Sensing Front Wipers (ZR model)
• Leather-accented Seats (ZR model)
  

Available to test drive from 22^nd February at our showroom - 112 Sunnyholt Rd Blacktown.

With prices starting from $20,740* for the Ascent manual, this new model is sure to impact the small car market. 

For more information, call 8884 4888.

Land a better deal at Lander Toyota.

*excludes on road costs and metallic paint.

The 2014 working year is back into full swing but despite research showing many Australians struggle to return to work after a break, few bosses do anything to jump start their enthusiasm.

And while money heads the Top Ten Motivators list for Aussie professionals, work/life balance and being valued and recognised at work come in a close second and third.

The national survey of 1,000 professionals was undertaken by Alliance Recruitment part of The Clarius Group, one of Australasia’s largest white collar recruitment groups, to identify hurdles to workplace motivation - as seen by professionals at the coal face.

According to the research, more than half of white collar workers find it hard to return to work after the Christmas/New Year shutdown and when they do return, less than 30 per cent of managers make an effort to motivate them.

Clarius Group CEO, Kym Quick, said employers who fail to motivate staff early in the New Year risk productivity and will lose key staff if they don’t tackle motivation.

“Most of us struggle to get back into a work rhythm after the holidays and come February we will see a dramatic spike in those looking for a new role,” Ms Quick said.

“The survey indicated that one-third of workers will look for a new job when they return to work so setting the tone for the New Year is critical and the best way to get some quick wins is to understand what motivates employees and find ways to enthuse and incentivise them.”

Ms Quick said while offering financial incentives to staff at the beginning of the year is unrealistic for many companies, bosses can inspire staff with other non-financial incentives. She suggests three actions employers’ could take.

• Organise early team event to kick-start team bonding and energise people
• Offer bonus ‘free time’ off
• Establish clear set of goals for each staffer

“Traditionally most companies celebrate with team events at the end of a year but we recommend holding an event at the beginning of the year where people can bond and start working together as a team again,” she said.

 “Managers should also ensure each staff member has set goals for the year ahead, has a professional development plan, and has some interesting milestones the employee can look forward to along the way.”

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