Report warns candidates not to treat western Sydney as 'electoral battleground' this election

Electoral politics will be ignored by voters in Sydney's west, a new report says. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)

Liberal and Labor candidates vying for crucial western Sydney seats at the state election have been urged to take the region seriously rather than as an election battleground, as a new report shows the rising cost of living is the key concern for voters in the area. 

There will be no path to victory for either of the major parties if they do not retain or win a swag of seven seats in Sydney's west, according to the Centre for Western Sydney report.