The Minns Labor Government’s 2026-27 NSW Budget has failed to deliver the infrastructure and services Willoughby needs, despite the community being asked to take on more growth, more density and with more pressure on local services.

Member for Willoughby, Tim James MP, said the government was happy to impose significant population and density growth on the Willoughby community, but unwilling to fund the schools, hospitals, roads, public transport and utilities needed to support it. “Willoughby is being asked to do more, but Labor is giving us less,” Mr James said.

“This Budget contains no new investment in our local schools, hospitals and roads – yet Royal North Shore Hospital and Willoughby Fire Station, among others, need urgent investments.”

“It’s a budget lacking in ambition and vision and without a credible plan to deliver for our community.”

“With funding now allocated for Landcom to turn the Chatswood Metro Dive Site into high rise housing, this once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure this large parcel of public land for desperately needed local infrastructure has been lost.”

“At the same time, all our local high schools are full, yet Labor continues to stall on building a new high school in St Leonards to ease the pressure.”

Mr James said the previous Liberal Government delivered and announced major infrastructure, including building new schools, the Sydney Metro and roads while Labor was now claiming credit for inherited projects.

“Labor is riding the Liberal infrastructure wave, but this is fast drying up and when Willoughby needs the next generation of investment, this Government has gone missing,” Mr James said.

There was one local win, with the Budget confirming Sydney Water will progress the Willoughby Submain Amplification – though it is yet to allocate any funding to it.

“After three years of calling for this upgrade, I’m pleased the Government has finally listened – but I’ll be watching closely to make sure it is actually delivered,” Mr James said.

“This Labor Government may not care about Willoughby, but I always have, and I always will.”

“I will keep fighting for our fair share – for local schools, local health services, roads, open space and the infrastructure our community needs and deserves.”