Blacktown City Council will receive $1.3 million from the Minns Labor Government to deliver the Melonba Park Community Facility, as part of a $54 million statewide investment in 30 high-performing councils under the Faster Assessments Incentive Program (FAIP).
The funding will enable the design, off-site fabrication, and onsite assembly of a multi-part modular community centre in Melonba Park on Kaluta Avenue, providing a hub to connect residents and reduce isolation.
Blacktown City Council was one of 35 councils to meet or beat the 115-day assessment benchmark set out in the Minister's Statement of Expectations in FY 2024–25. The councils turned around assessments in an average 89 days in metropolitan areas and 82 days in regional NSW.
Round 1 of the FAIP will deliver grants of between $1 million and $3 million to councils that are delivering faster development assessment timeframes while supporting new homes in their communities. Under Round 1, 30 of 35 nominated projects will receive $54 million statewide investment funding.
Combined with council co-contributions, the funding will deliver more than $106 million in local infrastructure projects to help ensure growing neighbourhoods have the facilities they need as more homes are built.
Eligible councils are now being assessed for Round 2 of the program, with $67 million available for councils that met or exceeded the 105-day benchmark and improved assessment times in FY 2025–26.
For more information about the Faster Assessments Incentive Program, visit NSW Planning
Member for Blacktown, Stephen Bali said:
“As Melonba continues to grow and welcome new residents, families will have access to the community infrastructure they deserve, helping to create strong, well‑connected neighbourhoods.
“This new facility will provide an important local gathering place where residents can meet, participate in community life and access services close to home.
“As Western Sydney welcomes more residents, we need to ensure housing growth is matched by investment in the facilities that support everyday life.
“This project will help create a more complete community for current and future residents while supporting the continued growth of the Northwest Growth Area."
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:
“We are rewarding councils that are cutting assessment times and helping deliver the homes NSW needs, because faster decisions mean people can move into new homes sooner.
“This funding will help Blacktown City Council build the community enabling infrastructure that communities need, delivered alongside new housing, not years after it.”
