The Salvation Army’s Commitment to creating a more hopeful future for the people of Western Sydney. In partnership with the NSW State Government. 

A New Opportunity — Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants (WSIG) — formerly known as WestInvest 

Recognising the lack of community infrastructure in Western Sydney, the NSW Government announced the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program (formerly known as WestInvest) in 2022. The program was advertised for competitive tendering, providing an unprecedented $2 billion in funding to projects across 15 eligible LGA’s in Western Sydney that contribute to “community transformation” and “improving liveability.” 

Funding recipients include local councils, non-government organisations, charitable organisations and community groups.

Greater West Salvos Lighthouse: A Collaborative Community Transformation Centre and Arts and Cultural Hub 

The Salvation Army in Western Sydney was already in the process of reimagining its future and moving its services closer to St Marys and the highly disadvantaged 2770 suburbs of Mt Druitt.  

Major Paul Moulds, AM, founder of the Sydney based Oasis Youth Support Network, and Director of that Service for 16 years, had just been appointed as Mt Druitt Lighthouse Project Development leader to further investigate and initiate this new vision.   

Shortly after his new appointment, the Westinvest opportunity was announced. Over the following five months, Major Moulds dedicated his time to researching, reviewing “best-practice” models, consulting with the local community, and seeking God’s plan for this new vision. This was articulated in a 150-page business case submitted in July 2022, under the name: Greater West Sydney Oasis: A Collaborative Community Transformation Centre and Arts and Cultural Hub.  

Following a highly competitive tender process, in February 2023, the Salvation Army’s application was successful, receiving a $40 million grant from Westinvest to build this transformative project and vision. The Salvation Army also made a substantial co-contribution to this development.

Changes and update to the vision - Salvos Community Centre - Western Sydney

While the Salvation Army’s original plan and application submitted to WSIG identified St Marys as the site of this new transformational Centre, challenges arose in securing suitable land there.  With the support of WSIG, changes have been made to the Project, expanding its impact and reach, through implementing a “Hub and Spoke” model across three strategic sites in Western Sydney.

The primary site or Central Hub will be located in Mt Druitt, Blacktown LGA and constructed with WSIG funds over the coming years. This unique facility, known as The Lighthouse, will bring together multiple community and creative arts partners working collaboratively under a Collective Impact Model. The site is part of a “Civic and Community Precinct” being developed in Mount Druitt by Blacktown City Council and is very close to other significant WSIG funded Community Projects the Council will be simultaneously developing.

The Model also now connects existing Western Sydney Salvation Army activities at:

• A new site at 216 Queen St, St Marys — St Marys Community Connect
• The purchase of the current Salvos Lethbridge Park Community Centre at 2- 6 Bougainville Road, secures The Salvation Army’s future in Lethbridge Park  

Further updates on this exciting project will be posted as project milestones are achieved.