The Strategy is a blueprint to keep Sydney as Australia’s number one global city and outlines the importance of Western Sydney for housing and job growth.
The cities of Parramatta, Penrith and Liverpool are going to play a vital role in Western Sydney’s future. The Global Economic Corridor that is the current economic powerhouse of Sydney will be extended into Parramatta and out to Norwest, driven by housing growth, WestConnex and the North West Rail Link.
As a part of this connection, Parramatta has been identified as one of nine “city shapers” of future Sydney, and supported by the regional cities of Penrith and Liverpool will be of paramount importance to the economic growth and prosperity of NSW.
These three cities are strategic centres and the plan calls for them to act as capitals of their own sub-regions, providing educational, business and cultural activities as three pillars of the Western Sydney growth.
With population growth set to continue by another 1.3 million people, Greater Western Sydney will become home to more than half of all Sydney residents, and Parramatta will be the beacon for business, investment and education for this flourishing population.
The 2031 Strategy identifies that Parramatta will grow beyond its CBD borders. Connections will be made with specialised precincts such as Westmead’s bio-medical education, research and clinical practice and Rydalmere’s education and technology hub.
The opening of the University of New England’s technology campus and a predicted 21,000 new jobs in the CBD, will ensure Parramatta is the finance and innovation capital of Western Sydney.
More jobs and greater access to education, means greater economic development. Productivity increases when business benefit from effects of agglomeration, people living closer to where they work, and people can access education easily and conveniently.
The Metro Strategy emphasises a potential for “high-tech employment agglomerations” around strategic centres, with special mention of hospitals and universities.
Not only does Parramatta have this in spades, allowing it to function as a true “Capital of Western Sydney”, but the Penrith region has huge potential to develop along similar lines with an opportunity to intensify the links between Nepean Hospital, UWS Werrington and the growing Penrith CBD.
Similarly, the Liverpool region serviced by UWS Campelltown, and Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospitals can also grow to be a true city and bustling commercial and cultural hub for the people of the south west.
The Metro Strategy recognises the importance the businesses and people of Western Sydney have to play in the wellbeing of the broader Sydney and NSW economy. No longer is the focus just about connecting everybody to the Sydney CBD for work and education.
The strategy recognises the important part the cities of the west have to play and seeks to leverage the existing infrastructure to create focal points for business and residents alike.
Strengthening connections between each of the cities of Parramatta, Penrith and Liverpool with their surrounding areas will not only improve the quality of life for residents, but provide benefits to business through having well trained and closely located workers to help them stay competitive in the global economic landscape.
The Metro Strategy is in its draft stage and now is the time to make your comments and be a part of the future of Western Sydney. The next 20 years of Sydney will be the story of Western Sydney, so put in your submissions to make sure your voice is heard.
Dr Geoff Lee is State membner for Parramatta. To make a submission, visit http://strategies.planning.nsw.gov.au/MetropolitanStrategyforSydney/Haveyoursay.aspx
