The Minns Labor Government is today issuing a new direction that expands the responsibilities of Infrastructure NSW and the Co-ordinator General to better coordinate the key government priorities of housing, energy infrastructure and jobs with a focus on Western Sydney around the Aerotropolis.
Currently, priorities and delivery timeframes on projects can differ significantly between agencies, which is creating unnecessary red tape and unacceptable delays.
The Government has listened to concerns from local leaders, businesses, local government and stakeholders regarding these delays to the delivery of essential infrastructure exacerbated by a lack of coordination.
It's clear that a more streamlined approach is needed.
That is why the NSW Government is issuing a new direction today which will improve the coordination and oversight to deliver key government priorities.
This work, to be led by the state's Infrastructure Co-ordinator General Tom Gellibrand, will see Infrastructure NSW take on the responsibility to coordinate infrastructure to support housing, energy, and freight, logistics, and employment priorities around the Aerotropolis.
Infrastructure NSW will lead three immediate areas of work that require better collaboration between agencies to resolve issues:
- Infrastructure to support employment priorities: focus on freight logistics and employment-related development in Western Sydney and the Aerotropolis.
- Infrastructure to support housing priorities: supporting housing development as per NSW housing targets and housing reforms as well as the National Housing Accord.
- Support the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap: coordination of enabling and complementary infrastructure essential for delivery of energy and transmission while supporting thriving local communities across NSW.
Infrastructure NSW also has 'step in' powers if required to actively resolve roadblocks or disagreements between agencies in delivery.
The Western Parkland City Authority will be renamed as the Bradfield Development Authority to be led by incoming CEO Ken Morrison.
The Bradfield Development Authority will focus solely on delivering Bradfield Town Centre and supporting investment attraction within the Aerotropolis.
This follows significant steps taken by the government to ensure infrastructure delivery is aligned with planning and development processes.
This is all part of the Minns Labor Government's plan to build better communities for NSW. To ensure we're building infrastructure which produces stronger, well-connected communities.
A plan to build a better NSW.
Premier Chris Minns said:
"This is all part of our plan to put an end to the years of obstruction and delay that slowed down the delivery of essential infrastructure across Western Sydney and NSW.
"From increasing housing supply across the state to delivering critical infrastructure across Western Sydney, we are committed to cutting red tape and getting our state moving again.
"The area around Western Sydney Airport deserves to be an employment hub that is connected to growing regions across Sydney and these changes will help deliver this.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:
"It is vital to get key government agencies working more closely together to deliver the priorities of housing, energy infrastructure and jobs for Western Sydney and the Aerotropolis.
"We have listened to local leaders, businesses, local government, and stakeholders about the delays to the delivery of essential infrastructure and we are acting to promote greater coordination across government.
"The Aerotropolis is vital to the future of Western Sydney so we need to work together in a more coordinated way to deliver what will be a game changer for the region."
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"It is essential that all parts of government are working together to support the delivery of homes, jobs and the energy transition.
"Today's announcement creates a whole-of-government coordination of infrastructure decision making which will help to get the greatest benefits from the successful development of the Aerotropolis for residents and businesses in Western Sydney.
"Infrastructure NSW will now be tasked with developing a sector plan for the Aerotropolis to identify the type, location, and timing of infrastructure required to support the master plan and zoning for the broad Aerotropolis area."
Tom Gellibrand, Infrastructure NSW Chief Executive said:
"I am proud to support the NSW Government priorities of increasing housing supply, enabling the transition of our energy supply, and coordinating infrastructure to support the delivery of the Aerotropolis.
"Today's announcement strengthens the role Infrastructure NSW has already been playing in coordinating infrastructure delivery for the people of NSW.
"We will continue to work with agencies, to improve the whole-of-government coordination of infrastructure delivery to support housing and population growth across the state, as well as coordinating infrastructure to support the Aerotropolis."
