2025-2026 Budget

The NSW Government has handed down the 2025-26 Budget. This Budget will see some extra buses for Epping. 

The Government is also continuing to fund much needed redevelopments at Carlingford West Public School and Cumberland Highschool. 

However, Epping is a growing area and we need the infrastructure to match this growth. No meaningful investment has been directed to address other critical needs of our area — particularly in public transport and local infrastructure. 

I had hoped to see investment in commuter car parking and local community spaces and will continue to fight for these projects for our area.

Elsewhere in the Budget, the Government revealed that they would be ending their $60 toll cap. I believe we need to reform our toll system but there are no concrete proposals currently on the table. In the meantime, drivers who rely on toll roads will miss out on relief. 

This Budget could have delivered more for families and communities. Families who need help with the realities of everyday life, like the cost of housing, groceries and childcare and yet there were no new cost of living measures.

There was also little for the people in our community who are one day hoping to buy a home.

The Government’s thresholds for stamp duty exemptions remained at $800,000, which each year covers fewer homes and apartments. 

The Budget reveals that the Government is not on course to reach their housing target.

Opposition leader Mark Speaker put forward his alternative plan which is to ease the taxes and charges that make it expensive to build new homes and provide targeted cost of living support by bringing back the Active Kids Voucher. 

Bus win for our area

One of the issues that I have been advocating for since starting in this role is more bus connections. I want to make sure that people can get to the transport hubs that would allow them to use the light rail, metro and M2 interchanges. 

• You can see my Notice of Motion in Parliament here; where I called for more buses for our area

• You can see my petition here

• You can see some of the questions that I have asked on this topic, here and here 

The Government has announced more “bendy” buses will be servicing the Epping community, which will mean extra capacity to better serve our neighbourhoods. 

Your voice has helped to get this win for our community.

If you haven’t yet signed my petition, please find a link here.

T9 Northern Train Line

A recent NSW Government report revealed that the T9 running through Beecroft, Cheltenham and Epping is the second worst performing for on-time trains. This is not good enough for families, students and commuters who rely on the trains to get to work.  

In response to community anger, the Government has commissioned a review into recent events and the overall performance of the network. I believe this review needs to hear from real people who use the trains. Your voice will help build the case for prioritisation of the T9 line, and long-term investment in new services, maintenance and technology to keep our community moving.

Update on Dence Park Pool

If you’re a local to the area, like me, you no doubt have fond memories of using Dence Park Pool. This Parramatta City Council project has been challenging and faced significant delays, and I recognise our community’s strong desire to see the pool redeveloped and re-opened.  

This pool is part of the historical fabric of our area, and I will not let it close without a fight.  

Here’s where things currently stand: (you can see Parramatta Council’s statement here)

• Epping residents were promised a $26.88 million upgrade to Dence Park and the Epping Aquatic & Leisure Centre.

• Parramatta City Council started developing a Dence Park Masterplan in 2018, yet 7 years later, the pool remains undeveloped and closed to the public.

• The project has now been delayed so long that the cost of developing this vital community facility is no longer feasible within the allocated Council budget.

I have had constructive meetings with the Save Epping Pool Group and Epping Ward Local Councillors to discuss this project. 

I will continue to push for the Dence Park Pool revitalisation.

You can send your details to my office here to be added to a list for specific updates on Dence Park Pool.

I want to hear from you 

In my last newsletter, I included a survey asking for people’s views on renting and received a lot of feedback from renters, from landlords, and from parents whose children were renting. This is a complex policy area. I know that finding the right balance in obligations and responsibilities is an ongoing one. 

I am always happy to hear views on how I can improve the lives of the people that live in our electorate. So, if you are a landlord, I would be interested in hearing your views and experiences. If you are neither a landlord or renter but have ideas on how we can help young people get into housing, I also want to hear from you.

Please email your views and ideas; I can be reached at epping@parliament.gov.nsw.au 

P.S. My next Listening Post is in Epping on Saturday 5th July, and I'll be on Oxford Street near 2 Bunny's Cafe.

Please come and say hello.

Authorised by Monica Tudehope MP. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.