Over 300 people gathered together in Penrith last Friday to discuss the role infrastructure will play in the region’s predicted growth.
Hosted by the Urban Development Institute of Australia NSW (UDIA), the Western Sydney Property and Infrastructure Forum brought together industry leaders, government representatives, property developers and consultants to gain insights into the region’s property and infrastructure pipeline.
The event was presented in collaboration with the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce and was a Lights On Western Sydney event.
Deputy Premier and State Member for Londonderry Prue Car gave the keynote address highlighting why it is so important to ensure adequate infrastructure accompanies new housing developments across the state.
“We do have some serious challenges that we face with planning… I hope that people do understand that our government led by our Premier is actually very serious about confronting those significant, endemic challenges in the planning system that we do need to get right as well as confront all the other challenges that face us in terms of development of all types,” Car said.
“I think we should be adult enough to acknowledge that planning under various forms of government in the past has made it very hard sometimes for development to continue.
“We do face some of these challenges when it comes to building State Government infrastructure.
“We know that when developments pop up because there is such a market for housing in western Sydney, then we need to make sure governments build infrastructure to support that housing and development.”
Launched at the forum was the UDIA’s ‘Western Sydney Building Blocks Report’ which shows how $868 million of targeted government investment can support the delivery of almost 33,000 new homes across four LGA’s in the western Sydney region over the five-year Housing Accord period, including two projects in Penrith costing $134 million.
“Western Sydney has the most to lose if we keep falling behind our housing supply targets,” said UDIA NSW CEO Stuart Ayres.
“With infill apartments not coming online fast enough, the Government must pivot to new and diversified greenfield homes to build momentum.”
Penrith Mayor Todd Carney addressed the forum saying that Penrith will be a major part of the state’s growth but needs the right infrastructure to support it.
“Penrith is one piece of the western Sydney puzzle, and the city presents unique liveable and economic opportunities, we are the closest city to the new airport and the only one connected by rail,” Carney said.
“Penrith City Council have been proactively planning for this period of extraordinary growth for some time now.
“However, given the scale of change and the expectations of western Sydney, the support of all levels of government is essential for the Penrith to realise its full potential.”
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.