
Message from the Regional Director
Even as we approach the end-of-year Christmas closure period, our industry in Western Sydney continues to address new challenges and opportunities.
Over the past month, we’ve taken our members on an Badgerys Creek to inspect the airport site and get the latest information on commercial opportunities on-site, the NSW Government has released a discussion paper proposing to accelerate the delivery of future industrial land at Mamre Road, and the Greater Sydney Commission is proposing a new approach to planning and infrastructure, called Place-based Infrastructure Compacts.
Our roadshow of Property Council member briefings on Local Strategic Planning Statements has officially wrapped up, and the Property Council has made submissions to the draft statements of eleven Western Sydney councils.
The purpose of this newsletter is to keep give you a brief insight into what is happening in Western Sydney. If you’d like to help shape our agenda in Western Sydney please feel free to get in touch. I can be reached on 0412 897 130 or via [email protected]
Ross
Place-based Infrastructure Compacts
A high-level development sequencing plan contained within the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula pilot for Place-based Infrastructure Compacts as proposed by the Greater Sydney Commission.
The Greater Sydney Commission recently floated the idea of Place-based Infrastructure Compacts (PIC): a strategic planning model that looks holistically at a place to better align growth with the provision of infrastructure and services.
The announcement came with a PIC pilot for the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula (GPOP) area, with four scenarios over 10, 20 and 40 years based on expected jobs and housing growth, and the infrastructure and service requirements to support them.
The Commission has placed the GPOP PIC outcomes and the PIC model on public exhibition with submissions closing Wednesday 18 December 2019.
https://greater.sydney/project/infrastructure
Mamre Road discussion paper released
The Department of Planning’s draft structure plan for the Mamre Road Precinct
The Property Council has welcomed the NSW Department of Planning’s release of a discussion paper into the future of the Mamre Road Precinct, integrating it into the broader Western Sydney Employment Area (WSEA).
The Department of Planning’s proposal will assist in the delivery of 17,000 new jobs, providing 780 hectares of new industrial land while identifying areas for heritage and environmental conservation.
“Western Sydney needs a good supply of productive industrial land to support local job growth, economic growth and provide support to the operations of the new airport.” Ross Grove, the Property Council’s Western Sydney Regional Director said today.
“Demand for floorspace is growing with more needed to support population growth, consumption and structural trends such as Ecommerce. Retail trade and transport, postal and warehousing currently make up 59 per cent of total floorspace take up across Australia’s cities.
“The Property Council and its members have strongly advocated for the release of the Mamre Road Precinct ahead of broader master planning efforts for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis so that the increasing demand for employment land in Western Sydney can be met.
“As Western Sydney takes its place as the logistics and advanced manufacturing capital of Sydney, there is a growing need to provide opportunities for international and domestic businesses to invest and this land release is an important step in unlocking our region’s future potential.
“While the release of industrial land is welcome, the proposed intermodal requires more consultation so that landowners in the area are fully aware of the timelines for the delivery of this piece of infrastructure that is yet to go through a business case process.”
Western Sydney Airport Industry Site Visits
More than 70 property industry leaders from across New South Wales converged on the Western Sydney Airport site on Friday as part of a day of industry briefings and site tours organised by the Property Council of Australia.
“The Western Sydney Airport is more than just a landing strip and a terminal – it will a business destination in its own right,” Ross Grove, the Property Council’s Western Sydney Regional Director said.
“The airport’s masterplan earmarks 191 hectares of premium airport land surrounding the airport’s second metro station for a business park integrating office, retail, industrial, hotel and conference facilities.
“Our members are enthusiastic about the opportunities available on-site at the airport. There is a lot that can be achieved for Western Sydney when a piece of infrastructure is delivered in partnership with industry.”
Master planning work on the Airport business park is currently being prepared by Architectus. Work to build Western Sydney Airport began in September, with the business park set to open before Airport
operations begin in 2026.
Changes to Priority Precincts
The NSW Government has made changes to the way it manages priority precincts across Western Sydney, with four new pathways being developed to determine which level of government takes the lead in their delivery.
This is an important event for our members with interests in the local government areas of Blacktown, Cumberland, Parramatta, Wollondilly, Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Penrith.
Parramatta future city 3D flythrough
City of Parramatta Council has released a 3D flythrough animation that gives a glimpse into what the how the city is expected to look when a number of major building projects are completed.
The animation brings to life 30 projects that have won Design Excellence competitions over the past four years, with a combined value of $5.5 billion – the City of Parramatta has undertaken more Design Excellence competitions than any other NSW council.
“At the core of any great city is quality design and planning. This leads to the construction of first-rate commercial and residential buildings, and infrastructure that meets the needs of current and future populations,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer said.
“The flythrough animation provides a remarkable glimpse into the future of Parramatta, showcasing exceptional architecture that will undoubtedly help cement Parramatta as a world-class City. It’s exciting to see the future coming to life right before our eyes.”
Peter Poulet, the Central City District Commissioner for the Greater Sydney Commission, said great design was essential to creating a vibrant urban environment.
“It’s not just about the buildings. It’s about the squares, the green spaces, and the streets, that makes a place great to live, work and play – and Parramatta is delivering on that,” Mr Poulet said.
The animation showcases 30 new buildings that are at different stages in the development cycle – those that have already been built, those that are under construction, those that have been approved for construction and those in the assessment phase.
Projects featured include Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta Square, Parramatta Aquatic and Leisure Centre, the Civic Link, and Arthur Phillip High School – the state’s first high-rise public high school.
Click here to watch the 3D flythrough animation.
Council Updates
Blacktown
Blacktown’s greenfield development areas are some of the most heavily impacted by the NSW Government’s changes to priority precincts.
The NSW Government will retain responsibility for strategic planning of the North West Growth Area and will lead in the rezoning of Marsden Park North and West Schofields.
Blacktown City Council will collaborate with other state agencies to progress the Seven Hills precinct, with further control handed back to local government for the delivery of Riverstone West, Schofields Town Centre and Marsden Park Town Centre.
Blue Mountains
Public exhibition has closed for the Blue Mountains City Council draft Local Strategic Planning Statement. The Property Council’s submission advocates for the improved housing diversity, increased tourist accommodation and stronger links between the draft statement and the Western City District Plan.
Blue Mountains
Campbelltown City Council has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Western Sydney University for the delivery of a vertical campus within the Campbelltown Town Centre.
Cumberland
Dexus has turned their first sod on the “LOOP” in Granville, an industrial development prociding 56000sqm across three new warehouses.
Hawkesbury
Hawkesbury City Council presented their Local Strategic Planning Statement to a Property Council member briefing, held in Penrith. Through their LSPS, the Council is seeking to increase collaboration between the university, defence, agriculture and tourism industries to create more jobs.
General Manager of Hawkesbury City Council Peter Conroy presents his council’s Draft Local Strategic Planning Statement to a Property Council member briefing.
Parramatta
- City of Parramatta Council has released a 3D flythrough animation that gives a glimpse into what the how the city is expected to look when a number of major building projects are completed.
- The City of Parramatta is continuing deliberations on the CBD Planning Proposal, with an extraordinary meeting held to defeat a rescission motion held on Wednesday 20 November. Debate around the proposal is centered around how far the outer limits of the Parramatta CBD ought to extend.
Penrith
Kylie Powell, Director City Futures at Penrith City Council presents the Penrith’s draft Local Strategic Planning Statement to a Property Council member briefing.
- Penrith City Council presented their Local Strategic Planning Statement to a Property Council member briefing. Council’s Director City Futures discussed a number of opportunities available in the city and illustrated their vision to take advantage of investment in the aerotropolis precinct.
- Penrith City Council is running a one-day industry summit called the Cooling the City Masterclass in February next year