Future of Western Sydney

A dialogue with Colin Dominish, GHD's Market Leader for Transport, provides insight into the challenges and opportunities of Western Sydney's growing urbanisation.

To realise the full economic and social potential of this growing hub, Colin says that change needs to be carefully planned, managed and executed, particularly in terms of infrastructure.

What are the key drivers shaping the growth of Western Sydney? 

In short, it comes down to four key factors - population, jobs, productivity and innovation. In terms of population, Western Sydney will have an additional one million residents in the next decade. By 2030, the hub will account for 44 per cent of Sydney's residents and 9 percent of Australia's population. It will deliver $100 billion to the economy and represent 8 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).This is particularly significant when you consider that Western Sydney is predicted to have a larger GDP than 65 countries in the world.

Looking at jobs, the second airport for Sydney represents a catalyst for economic growth that aligns well with population increases. Some 9000 extra jobs will be created to support construction and ongoing operations. This will be further extended as supporting infrastructure is developed and satellite industries are created.

Alongside population growth and jobs creation, there's an opportunity to boost Australia's productivity as a global supplier and consumer of goods. The Western Sydney Airport will facilitate improved productivity by providing businesses with better connections and accessibility to national and transport networks. More than that, it will stimulate new investment in the region and support growth in surrounding businesses. Supporting this, a study on aviation capacity found that demand for aviation services within the Sydney basin is anticipated to exceed potential supply by 2032. Air freight is also forecast to increase from 490 tonnes per annum in 2012 to 2.3 million tonnes by 2060. 

Lastly, we have the chance to use the airport as an agent of innovation by introducing new technologies that have broad application in areas such as aeronautical engineering and defence. The development could underpin innovative high-tech clusters of product suppliers, service companies, creative idea tanks, logistics operations and more.

What are some of the issues being raised by the community in response to the inevitable transformation of Western Sydney?

As with any change, the issues that are being voiced relate to uncertainty and not knowing what to expect. Currently, the real challenge is centred on how the airport will proceed, given Sydney Airport Corporation's decision. However, the federal government has committed to building it by 2026. But it's not just the airport that we need to think about, it's also what needs to be built outside the fence. The Greater Sydney Commission is working on a district plan and has sought a lot of feedback from state and local government entities as to what needs to be included. Once this is finalised in November 2017, the community will have greater clarity around services, jobs, social infrastructure and the like, and where these will be situated.

We also need to think about the broader issue of transport and connectivity. One of the biggest concerns facing residents at the moment is the railway link, as the government hasn't announced plans for this as yet. Community consultation will be key to ensuring people feel connected to the change taking place, and see the airport as being part of their future. Additional considerations include traffic congestion, utilities (water and power), land use, noise impacts and the inconveniences that inevitably occur as a result of major construction. There will also be changes to the heritage of Western Sydney and the impacts to the look and feel of the community as land use transitions from farmland to commercial, retail and industrial zones.Triple bottom line practices will be integral here, in particular sustainability.

What role can integrated land and transport planning play in addressing these issues?

With all the interest in how the Australian economy can benefit from the Western Sydney Airport, planning has to be at the very heart of the development approach. There is no doubt that we need a strong focus on integrated land and transport planning, and greater coordination across all stakeholders, including community groups, government agencies, and industry associations. Put simply, everyone needs to be on the same page, so that we can capitalise on the opportunities at hand, and extend that to address the potential for innovation and technology. For example, there's considerable interest from universities for the creation of a science centre and ideas are taking shape for a STEM focused K-Y12 school.

In addition, there's a proposal to establish a centre for aviation excellence and a research and development facility for defence technologies. Tourism of course, is something that's on the cards, especially as it pertains to the Blue Mountains and Asia. Momentum is building for accelerating participation in sports through prospective sports academies. When you take all this into account, comprehensive planning for the transport corridors is critical to enabling connectivity. There are currently a number of options being assessed, and the sooner a decision is made the better. This will provide the certainly the community needs to embrace the project wholeheartedly.

Where to next?

The time to act is now. This is a project that can provide a springboard for the future. Western Sydney's economy will continue to grow even without development. However, with the airport, we can expect to accelerate the region's growth and productivity considerably, and this is an economic opportunity that we can't afford to miss, especially in terms of output and new jobs. Let's face it, the aviation industry in Australia is vital to the national economy. It helps us connect more effectively interstate and globally, particularly with Asia. 

By investing in transport infrastructure, utilities, social facilities and urban renewal programs, we can transform Western Sydney into an economic powerhouse that can provide triple bottom line viability for both the region and Australia for the next 100 years. It won't be easy, but by engaging stakeholders, addressing key drivers for development, planning for the long-term, and partnering for success, we can ensure the region reaches its full potential, and design a great place to live, work and play.

As GHD's Transport Market Leader for Sydney, Colin Dominish is deeply invested in the transport industry, providing top-level advice to help public and private organisations develop sustainable solutions which balance infrastructure investment with land use strategies and system efficiencies. He leads a diverse team of engineering, environmental and advisory professionals who represent more than 70 technical disciplines. 

Want to join the conversation about Western Sydney? Get in touch with Colin by emailing Colin.Dominish@ghd.com or calling (02) 9239 7482 or contact GHD's Manager for Western Sydney, May Ngui at Yih-May.Ngui@ghd.com or GHD's Market Leader for Western Sydney, Lynn Sorrell at Lynn.Sorrell@ghd.com'