Hardly anyone knows what Bradfield is all about, few support the name itself, but that didn’t stop the NSW Government from issuing the usual cliches and platitudes in announcing a draft master plan for community feedback.
What we do know is that existing regional centres like Campbelltown and Liverpool have been starved of infrastructure resources because of planning on what could turn out to be a pipedream or takes decades to become a reality.
The proposed Bradfield City Centre, located in the backyard of Liverpool and south west of the new airport being built at Badgerys Creek, has been spruiked as “one of the biggest economic development projects undertaken in Australia’’ since it was first announced more than five years ago.
And now, finally, drum roll please, this so called visionary project “has taken a major step forward with the draft master plan now available for community feedback’’.
The media release says the Bradfield City Centre draft master plan sets out a framework for future development within the new 114-hectare city, five times the size of Barangaroo, at the heart of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
“The master plan will position Bradfield City Centre as a centre for innovation, education, and skills development in the heart of Western Sydney.
“It is expected to deliver 20,000 direct jobs and is positioned to emerge as Australia’s premier hub for advanced and emerging industries.
“It is expected to also create up to 10,000 new homes for the people of Western Sydney,’’ says the government.
“The proposal contains all key areas for a new city, including homes, streets and roads, city blocks, parks and open space, commercial and retail precincts, and, crucially the strategies to deliver the required infrastructure.
“The development is backed by a more than $1 billion investment from the NSW Government and is anticipated to unlock billions more in private investment.’’
There was not one mention, eagle eyed readers would have noticed of when all of this will happen.
If approved, the master plan will outline a staged approach to more than two million square metres gross floor area of development across the city centre, located on the doorstep of the new Western Sydney International Airport, it says in the media release.
While the Aerotropolis and new Metro line are under way, the draft master plan for Bradfield City Centre marks a significant milestone after a lack of coordination and years of inaction under the previous state government – says the current government.
“Despite the previous government’s lack of planning, development has now begun in Bradfield with construction under way including the first stage of a new Advanced Manufacturing and Research Facility (AMRF), with electronics giant Hitachi, an advanced industry hub, due to open this year.’’
This exhibition represents the government “getting its skates on” to provide the vision to establish and grow Bradfield into a world-class city in line with the planned opening of Western Sydney International Airport in 2026.
Following the exhibition period and if approved, the department expects that finalisation could occur by mid-2024.
“Western Sydney is the third largest regional economy in Australia, with one of the most rapidly growing populations,’’ says acting premier and minister for Western Sydney Prue Car, rolling out the usual cliches.
“Providing better paid, highly skilled jobs close to where people live, with the right infrastructure, is key to improving the lives of people in Western Sydney,’’ she says.
“This master plan shows how investment in the area surrounding the new airport will drive growth and better opportunities for all Western Sydney.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Western Sydney and can only be realised if we work together to ensure it benefits everyone.”
The master plan is a draft blueprint for a world class city that will support Western Sydney Airport, says Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully.
“It will attract investment, house thousands of people, and create thousands of jobs.
“This is the first master plan to be publicly exhibited after progressing through the new Aerotropolis master-planning pathway and it’s critical we hear directly from the community and stakeholders as we lay the groundwork for significant infrastructure plans.
“Bradfield City Centre could deliver 10,000 new homes in coming years, making a significant contribution to more, and more diverse, housing supply in Western Parkland City.
“This is about making sure people have a say in how Bradfield best caters for the future needs and desires of residents, workers, and visitors.’’
For more information and to have your say, visit: www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/draftplans/exhibition/bradfield-city-centre-master-plan
