The Aerotropolis will be in the Western Parkland City, connecting to Greater Parramatta and the Harbour CBD to realise the Greater Sydney Commission’s vision for a metropolis of three cities. Photo: NSW Planning.
The state government has expanded the responsibilities of Infrastructure NSW and the Coordinator-General to better coordinate its developments around the Western Sydney International Airport.
One key focus is the Aerotropolis, a planned economic centre that will benefit from proximity to the new Western Sydney International Airport. It will be home to 200,000 new jobs in the broader Western Parkland City as a high-skill jobs hub across aerospace and defence, manufacturing, healthcare, freight and logistics, agribusiness, education and research industries.
To support its development, the NSW Government said it has addressed “unnecessary red tape and unacceptable delays” issues by providing a more streamlined approach for infrastructure projects.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said it is vital to get key government agencies working more closely together to deliver the priorities of housing, energy infrastructure and jobs for Western Sydney and the Aerotropolis.
“We have listened to local leaders, businesses, local government and stakeholders about the delays to the delivery of essential infrastructure and we are acting to promote greater coordination across government,” said Ms Car.
“The Aerotropolis is vital to the future of Western Sydney, so we need to work together in a more coordinated way to deliver what will be a game changer for the region.”
Led by Coordinator-General Tom Gellibrand, Infrastructure NSW will be responsible for coordinating the department in supporting housing, energy, freight, logistics and employment priorities around the Aerotropolis.
Three immediate areas of concern are in focus. Infrastructure NSW will:
- Support employment priorities by focusing on freight logistics and employment-related developments in Western Sydney and the Aerotropolis
- Support housing priorities as per NSW targets, reforms and the National Housing Accord and
- Support the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap that will ensure delivery of energy and transmission to local communities.
If required, Infrastructure NSW now has ‘step in’ powers to actively resolve roadblocks or disagreements between delivery agencies.
The Western Parkland City Authority will be renamed the Bradfield Development Authority and will be led by incoming CEO Ken Morrison. It will focus solely on delivering the Bradfield Town Centre and supporting investment attraction within the Aerotropolis.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said these changes will help to get the greatest benefits from the successful development of the Aerotropolis for residents and businesses in Western Sydney.
“It is essential that all parts of government are working together to support the delivery of homes, jobs and the energy transition,” said Mr Scully.
“Infrastructure NSW will now be tasked with developing a sector plan for the Aerotropolis to identify the type, location and timing of infrastructure required to support the master plan and zoning for the broad Aerotropolis area.”
Premier Chris Minns said this is all part of the NSW Government’s plan to end the years of obstruction and delay that slowed down the delivery of essential infrastructure across Western Sydney and NSW.
“From increasing housing supply across the state to delivering critical infrastructure across Western Sydney, we are committed to cutting red tape and getting our state moving again,” said the Premier.
“The area around Western Sydney Airport deserves to be an employment hub that is connected to growing regions across Sydney, and these changes will help deliver this.”