Construction approvals to inject $500M into Western Sydney economy

The New South Wales Government has authorized four major rezonings to generate 1000 local jobs throughout construction, deliver 2000 new homes and inject $500 million into the economy.

Projects in Fairfield, Villawood, Harris Park and Silverwater were fast tracked through the NSW Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program to help generate better-connected and more liveable communities across Western Sydney.

“This is about bringing new life and vibrancy back into these town centres and creating well-connected communities so more people can live closer to where they work,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

The four planning approvals will see:

• a $326 million upgrade to the Villawood Town Centre to convert existing lots into a vibrant mixed-use precinct
• a $173.9 million facelift of the Fairfield Heights Town Centre to breathe new life into its high street with increased building heights and floorspace
• alterations to the Auburn Local Environment Plan to allow an existing warehouse site to be transformed to office space in Silverwater
• changes to Parramatta’s Local Environmental Plan to allow further housing and improved pedestrian access near Parkes Street, Harris Park.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the changes will unlock the future economic potential of Western Sydney’s suburban centres.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a shift in economic activity to our suburbs and local centres as more people work from home and avoid commuting into traditional city CBDs,” Stokes said.

“These new town centres seek to create and reinvigorate the existing retail and street frontages, unlocking the potential of our high streets and encouraging the creation of local economies across Western Sydney closer to where people live.”