City of Parramatta leaders have criticised the Federal Government after it pulled back from previously expected funding for a planned Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) production hub in western Sydney, calling the change a blow to local communities and opportunities.
Parramatta council had pushed for the city to host the new media facility, which was one of several potential Western Sydney locations identified for expansion by the national multilingual broadcaster. Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter described the decision to shift course on funds as deeply disappointing and said it raised questions about the government’s support for equity and jobs in this part of Sydney.
“This decision feels like an insult to the people of western Sydney,” Cr Zaiter said. He pointed to the region’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity, arguing that it made Parramatta a fitting choice for a production hub that could create local jobs and amplify a wider range of voices.
SBS had been exploring options for a Western Sydney production hub as part of its expansion plans, backed earlier by a federal allocation of roughly A$5.9 million to scope the project and develop a detailed business case. That process involved an open call for location proposals and a shortlist of potential sites, with a preferred site expected to be selected late last year before federal funding approval was sought.
However, recent confirmation from the communications minister’s office indicated that further funding for the hub will not be provided at this stage. A spokesperson said the government would continue to support SBS’s core work but would not commit extra funds for the planned expansion now. SBS itself said the move was a government decision and declined further comment, according to industry reporting.
The issue has sparked frustration beyond Parramatta, with other Western Sydney councils also voicing disappointment. In neighbouring Liverpool, officials said the project’s collapse felt like a betrayal after years of advocacy for a local media presence.
SBS, founded in 1975 and funded mainly by the federal government alongside independent revenue, serves as Australia’s public multilingual broadcaster. Its expansion plans had aimed to deliver more Australian content, including screen and audio production, and to strengthen ties with diverse communities.
Critics of the funding change have questioned whether the shift will affect efforts to broaden media representation and support creative industry growth in regions where commercial production resources are limited. Some commentators have pointed out logistical challenges around establishing new facilities outside traditional media centres, noting that infrastructure and workforce distribution can influence where production hubs succeed.
Government supporters have emphasised that SBS continues to receive long‑term funding commitments, which the minister’s office says will see more than A$1.7 billion invested through to 2027–28. They argue this ongoing support will enable the broadcaster to maintain and grow its services nationwide.
As the debate continues, local leaders in western Sydney are likely to keep pressing for initiatives that they say would deliver tangible benefits to their communities, while SBS works within the parameters of existing funding to serve its audience across Australia.
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