The NSW Government is encouraging members of the surrounding community to have a say on first stage plans, to assist with shaping the development of land around the new Western Sydney Airport.
The Western Sydney Aerotropolis (formerly Western Sydney Airport Growth Area) is an area spanning 11,200 hectares and is positioned around the Western Sydney Airport site in Badgerys Creek. An aerotropolis is a metropolitan area with infrastructure, land uses, and the economy all centred around an airport. It generally includes aviation-orientated business and residential development that benefit from each other and their accessibility to an airport.
Presently, several key pieces of infrastructure have been planned for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, including the new Western Sydney Airport, M12 Motorway, Outer Sydney Orbital (motorway and freight rail line), South West Rail Link extension, North-South Rail and Western Sydney Freight Line.
Plans state that connected and legible street networks will provide direct, safe and convenient pedestrian, cycle and public transport access for people of all ages and abilities. At ground level, streets will be active and busy, with a mix of retail, restaurants, cafés and services.
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s Executive Director for Western Sydney and Aerotropolis Activation, Mr Brett Whitworth, said the Aerotropolis will be a catalyst for growth in Western Sydney.
“The release of the draft plans provides a unique opportunity to engage the community before development takes place,” Mr Whitworth commented, “the new airport and the surrounding Aerotropolis will be a game-changer for NSW with the potential to provide up to 60,000 homes and contribute to 200,000 new jobs in Western Sydney.”
Mr Whitworth also stated that the vision for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis is for it to become Sydney’s newest economic hub, helping to realise the vision of a 30-minute city, where people live close to jobs, schools, health and cultural amenities.
“Innovative planning for the land surrounding Sydney’s new 24-hour airport is critical to its success and the Department,” Mr Whitworth said, “we want to ensure the community has plenty of opportunities to help determine how we deliver a resilient and vibrant Aerotropolis.”
Here is where you can drop-in to community sessions on the project and talk to planners from the Department:
- Thursday, 6 September at the Bringelly Community Centre 5 Greendale Road, Bringelly NSW 2556, 4 pm-7 pm.
- Monday, 10 September at the Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club 2/8 Twin Creeks Dr, Luddenham NSW 2745, 4 pm-7 pm.
- Saturday, 15 September at the Bringelly Community Centre 5 Greendale Road, Bringelly NSW 2556, 10 am – 1 pm.
More information on the project and these drop-in sessions can be found here.