A proposal to build a science park in western Sydney has passed an important planning milestone with the NSW Government now confident it will proceed.
The government has approved the rezoning of a 250 ha site at Luddenham between Penrith and the proposed new western Sydney airport site at Badgerys Creek and it now needs to proceed through a community consultation period with Penrith Council.
"The Sydney Science Park will be a leading international centre for research and development in the food, energy and health sectors," said Penrith mayor Ross Fowler.
"Along with quality residential, educational and retail offerings this development will realise a total of 12,000 'smart' jobs and represents significant investment in the region just 20 minutes from Penrith's City Centre."
The plan includes a new Town Centre, industrial research and development facilities, a school and 3400 new dwellings.
"Our vision is for Penrith to be at the centre of an innovation hub, as Western Sydney becomes the home for new and emerging industries related to research, education and technology. The Science Park's proponents recognise this is where the talent is - Western Sydney is no longer the bastion of blue collar workers in manufacturing and logistics, our people have the skills and are looking for jobs close to where they live,” Fowler said.
"The Science Park is exactly the kind of development we need in a strong future economy, full of opportunities for our residents, and all those who live within the catchment of our regional city."
He called on the NSW Government to extend the new south west rail, which terminates at Leppington, through the airport and science park sites and then to connect with the western line connecting Parramatta and Penrith.
"Embedding the airport in Western Sydney through connections by road and rail is crucial to the airport's viability and to deliver maximum benefits for the region's community," he said.
The proposal was supported by the Urban Taskforce which said mixed-use development was important to allow people to live close to jobs and the Sydney Business Chamber which said investing in innovation and knowledge precincts made sense.