Western Sydney looks skyward
Image: Western Sydney is set to be injected with transport and infrastructure that could take the pressure off the CBD and Eastern Suburbs. Credit: Wikimedia commons
BY ZOHAL ARBABZADA
Eastern Sydney and the CBD could find themselves as part of whole new city model next century, while Western Sydney could soon be a teeming city centre with huge infrastructure and transport planned for the future.
Speaking at the recent Out There Summit, Premier of NSW Gladys Berejiklian said the government were focused on “building and investing in Western Sydney” with the region currently undergoing a period of “unprecedented investment.”
Around 100 people attended the event which included the Premier’s speech, the Western Sydney leadership awards, the 2017 Pemulwuy prize, and a Q&A panel.
Panelists reported that Eastern Sydney could be in for the development of a three city model, which would potentially see more city residents travelling west for work opportunities, and help to sustain the exponential growth of the city. It is estimatd that Sydney’s population will increase by one million people in the next ten years.
Dr Andy Marks, assistant vice chancellor of strategy and projects at Western Sydney University, said the gap needs to close between Eastern and Western Sydney to make it possible for the West to grow. He also emphasised that “definitive positions” are needed on policies and investments, rather than “meta-narratives” and vague assertions as to when projects such as the Sydney Metro Northwest will be completed.
Audience members questioned whether the impending Sydney Metro Northwest and proposed Badgery’s Creek airport would come with other necessary infrastructure to avoid increased traffic jams.
Chairman of the Western Sydney Dialogue (WSLD) Christopher Brown, discussed a train network to connect the proposed airport to the city suburbs, but no solid plans were revealed.
