WPCA Industry Update - July 2023

The Western Parkland City Authority (WPCA) has marked a major milestone in the delivery of Bradfield City Centre’s First Building with the concrete slab poured. The planning process for the Second Building is also progressing with the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) issued and work underway on the building’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Following changes announced by the NSW Government regarding the structure of WPCA, the agency will now become part of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. This move supports the NSW Government’s commitment to build a stronger, more efficient and streamlined NSW planning system focused on the delivery of more housing, jobs, and infrastructure.

Our agency responsibilities under the Western Parkland City Authority Act 2018 remain the same, with a focus on delivering Bradfield City Centre and increasing economic development outcomes for the region. The WPCA Board will also continue to guide the strategic vision for the Authority to ensure momentum is maintained.

WPCA remains committed to delivering Bradfield City Centre. As a team, we look forward to working with our various partners – the eight councils of the Western Parkland City, industry partners, the Commonwealth Government and our many other important stakeholders to coordinate and deliver great outcomes for the people of the Western Parkland City.

Five shortlisted architect firms for Bradfield City Centre’s Central Park Design Competition have been announced by the WPCA.

Aspect Studios, TCL, Hassell Studio, Arcadia Landscape Architecture, Turf Design Studio are vying for the opportunity to design Central Park, the focal point of the new city centre.

Design proposals for the two-hectare park in Australia’s newest city were presented to an esteemed jury including James Corner, world-renowned landscape architect and designer of Manhattan’s iconic High Line in New York City, FLUMINIS Design Advisory Services’ Kate Luckraft, indigenous and cultural landscape designer, Jiwah’s Director, Clarence Slockee, NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin and Gallagher Studio’s Dr Libby Gallagher.

WPCA Chair Jennifer Westacott said Central Park will not only be a destination and key point of arrival, especially for overseas visitors, but an important arts and culture hub too.

“Investment in public spaces is important because a well-designed public space brings people and importantly businesses in, boosting the economic value of everything around it,” Ms Westacott said.

Ms Westacott also said the Central Park competition had a strong emphasis on design and engagement with Traditional Custodians.

 “Designing and connecting with Country has been done with consultation of the Traditional Custodians through all phases of the competition,” Ms Westacott added.

“Central Park is important to Bradfield City Centre because for many, it will be the first impression they have of Australia when they arrive from Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.”

The successful Central Park Design Competition applicant will be announced in August.

WPCA was delighted to recently host a delegation from the New Zealand Treasury at Bradfield City Centre. The group was visiting Australia to gain an insight into the various infrastructure projects underway, with a site visit to see the progress on our First Building. We look forward to welcoming other stakeholder groups on site as work progresses on Bradfield City Centre.

There was a spotlight on Bradfield City Centre’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF) at the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce recent event, ‘Lights on Penrith’.

Ben Kitcher, WPCA’s Executive Director, Research and Technology, joined a panel discussion at the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce event, Made Here. The event brought industry and stakeholders together to share ideas and resources across the Penrith region. Ben also provided an update on the AMRF, the first of its kind in Australia.

The event also highlighted the need for upskilling and education opportunities to support advanced manufacturing, with WPCA’s Executive Director, Skills and Industry, Peter Mackey, providing information about WPCA’s New Education and Training Model (NETM). NETM offers people the opportunity to learn the skills needed for jobs in rapidly evolving industries like advanced manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, freight and logistics, aerospace and defence, and agribusiness.

Building skills through the New Education and Training Model

The Western Sydney Aerotropolis will be the home of innovation in Australia. With the development of Australia’s newest city, Bradfield City Centre, and the new Western Sydney International Airport, industries such as advanced manufacturing, defence and aerospace, pharmaceutical manufacturing, freight and logistics, and agribusiness are growing.

From its inception in early 2022 WPCA has delivered the New Education and Training Model (NETM) pilot to rapidly upskill the workforce in the Western Parkland City. The NETM provides short, targeted, and free training courses of about 40 hours each (micro-credentials). More than 350 students have enrolled in the pilot so far, and the program is helping meet the demands of a continuously changing industrial environment.

WPCA has officially taken up residence in our new office at 50 Belmore Street, Penrith.

Located directly opposite Penrith Station, the move to the new building means the team is now part of the Western Parkland City community and close to Bradfield City Centre.

Industry partners and groups, local councils and Chambers of Commerce will be invited to the new office in coming months to check out our new home as we settle in.

Global aerospace and defence industry come together for AVALON 2023

WPCA joined Investment NSW at this year’s AVALON 2023 Australian International Airshow, Aerospace & Defence Exposition. 

The exhibition saw senior civil aviation, aerospace, space and defence industry, military and government decision-makers from around the world come together. They engaged with customers, partners and suppliers with firsthand access to the region’s aviation, aerospace, defence and space communities.

Local Western Parkland City businesses including GPC Electronic, Quicksteps and Romar Engineering were also part of the Investment NSW stand.

Exciting opportunities in Defence Procurement

WPCA was one of three sponsors alongside Investment NSW and Penrith City Council for AI Group’s Defence Industry Supply Chain Breakfast held in Penrith earlier this year.

The breakfast focused on the emerging opportunities in defence procurement. Attendees heard from industry experts and government representatives on forecast defence expenditure over the next decade and how local industries can access the opportunities.

The health care sector is one of the Western Parkland City’s fastest growing industries and a major employer in the region.

WPCA recently joined the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue and Campbelltown Health and Education Precinct (CHEP) on a tour of the precinct’s growing infrastructure, including a visit to the site of GenesisCare.

Northwest Healthcare Properties, Erilyan and Campbelltown City Council have partnered to deliver the $52 million world-class cancer centre and research hub. Due to open in early 2024, the hub will provide cutting edge oncology services for south-west Sydney.

Artist’s impression of Aerotropolis Station

Work on Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport continues with all three major contracts now in place for the project.

Mobilisation of the third and final major contract for the project, Stations, Systems, Trains, Operations and Maintenance (SSTOM) – began earlier this year. The SSTOM contract will deliver six new metro stations between St Marys and Bradfield City Centre, plus 12 new metro trains and a stabling and maintenance facility at Orchard Hills.

WPCA’s Communications and Engagement team has been busy attending community events to answer all-things Bradfield City Centre. The team recently attended Western Sydney International’s Open Day plus the Wallacia Community Festival, the Penrith Twilight Festival and some community drop-in sessions at Bringelly and Luddenham with other projects in the area. We look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming Penrith Show!