Companies have been officially invited to become part of a new business precinct that is set to be developed at the Western Sydney International Airport (WSI).
Plans for the precinct are underway, with WSI establishing a 50/50 joint venture partnership with Australian property group Charter Hall Group to deliver the first stage of the business precinct.
WSI CEO, Simon Hickey, was joined by Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, and Charter Hall Industrial & Logistics CEO, Richard Stacker, to turn the first sod at the business precinct site on 11 April 2024.
Mr Hickey said that stage one of the precinct’s development is expected to generate 400 jobs during construction, with another 2,000 permanent jobs anticipated once it’s fully occupied and operational.
“Western Sydney International Airport is the engine room for growth and development across the region that’s attracting billions of dollars of investment and generating thousands of training and job opportunities,” Mr Hickey said.
“This is an exciting time for all kinds of businesses to join our new business precinct that’s geared to grow and evolve over time as the airport builds to ultimately become Sydney’s biggest international gateway.
“We’ll be getting on with the job of building the precinct over the coming months, with the first phase of works due for completion by the end of next year – at which point extensive testing of the airport will be underway as we prepare to welcome passengers and airlines in late 2026.”
Mr Hickey said that the precinct will initially serve thousands of workers that are building the airport and its extensive connecting infrastructure, and that the precinct will later adapt to meet the evolving needs of airport customers and the local community.
“We’re pleased to partner with Charter Hall on the delivery of the precinct – their extensive investment and development expertise across the nation will be a vital asset as plans to procure new business customers progress this year.”
Upon completion, the 20ha mixed-use development will include up to 40,000m² of modern warehouse space, ancillary offices, a 150-room hotel that will service flight crews, a service station and convenience retail, including food and beverage outlets, as well as gym and conference facilities. Construction of the first stage of the business precinct also includes internal and external roads, connections to arterial roads and landscaping.
Charter Hall Industrial & Logistics CEO, Richard Stacker, said that Charter Hall has been working in close partnership with WSI and has a deep understanding of the importance and impact of the airport to not only Western Sydney, but New South Wales and Australia more broadly.
“To achieve success in a project of this scale, a true partnership is crucial,” Mr Stacker said.
“We have a track record of aligning with our joint venture partners’ ambitions, and bring expertise in developing, owning and managing high quality facilities that attract high quality tenant customers, for the long-term.
“We will leverage our cross-sector experience, extensive tenant customer relationships, emphasis on sustainable development and operations and a shared customer focus to deliver a world-class precinct that sets the benchmark for the rest of this transformative project.”
Businesses seeking more information about the new precinct opportunity are invited to visit www.charterhall.com.au/wsi-bpso for further details.