Bidwill vs Blackett

Bidwill and Blackett are neighbouring areas in Western Sydney with a stark contrast in local access. Blackett is very walkable, while Bidwill is only somewhat walkable. This gap is most evident in basic services: 100% of Blackett homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries and schools, whereas in Bidwill, only 51.0% can walk to groceries and 82.5% to a school. Most striking is that 67.3% of Blackett homes are near health services, compared to 0.0% in Bidwill. Bidwill also has a far larger First Nations population, where the unemployment rate is 22.0%, far higher than the 9.7% seen in Blackett.

These two areas have tracked closely in some respects since 2011. Both remain perfectly accessible for those using public transport or visiting a park, with 100% of homes in both areas within a short walk of these amenities. While Blackett generally has a higher walkability score and better access to shops, the two areas share a similar flat landscape. This common ground exists alongside a widening gap in First Nations outcomes, as the unemployment rate remains far higher in Bidwill.