Construction has kicked-off on Australia's newest city, Bradfield City Centre, a visionary undertaking that will create more than 17,000 jobs and accelerate a wave of new advanced manufacturing, research and innovation in Western Sydney.
Work is underway on the first building, a 3,840 square metre multi-purpose building that will house office, exhibition and event spaces, Hitachi's Kyoso Creation Centre and the first stage of a new Advanced Manufacturing and Research Facility.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the 114-hectare Bradfield City Centre development is backed by a $1 billion investment from the NSW Government and will unlock a further $10 billion in private investment.
"We are building a world-class city centre that will supercharge the creation of jobs and economic opportunities across Western Sydney," Mr Perrottet said.
"This first building is the start of a game-changing and job-generating city centre that will transform Bradfield into a hive of economic activity for businesses and offer new services and attractions for residents across Western Sydney.
"With this new high-tech city located close to new airport, businesses will be able to manufacture products in Western Sydney and export to the rest of world, generating even more export dollars for our state."
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said Taylor Construction Group had been awarded the construction tender to build the first building.
"This facility will bring high-skilled jobs and global career opportunities to Western Sydney residents, deliver shared high-tech manufacturing equipment and machinery with local Sydney businesses and fast-track development in areas like defence and space," Mr Henskens said.
"Beyond this first building, the NSW Government has committed a further $260 million to establish the largest Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility in Australia, right here in Western Sydney."
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said Bradfield's first building was given State Significant Development Application approval.
"Major international companies are turning their eyes to Western Sydney and our work in creating this new city," Mr Roberts said.
"The first building will deliver 150 construction jobs and 60 new operational jobs once it is up and running."
Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the start of construction marked a monumental moment for the residents of the Western Parkland City who will experience the Bradfield City Centre come to life on their doorstep.
"Families and communities in Greater Western Sydney are seeing first-hand the benefits of a Government that is building infrastructure to make life easier," Mr Elliott said.
"Western Sydney residents will soon see this empty paddock grow into a thriving city centre with world-class transport infrastructure."
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said the sod turn on the first building marks the start of what will be an enormous jobs boom for Western Sydney.
"The Bradfield City Centre will grow and evolve in coming decades to become a major hub for jobs in Western Sydney, generating enormous economic benefit for the NSW economy," Mrs Davies said.
Chair of the Western Parkland Authority Jennifer Westacott AO said the city is being designed for the future with inbuilt digital capabilities, smart technology and targeting net-zero emissions.
"This will be a truly a global city with a 24/7 economy and the beautiful parks, playgrounds and buzzing cultural life Western Sydney deserves," Ms Westacott said.
"The Bradfield City Centre is being created by harnessing the region's existing strengths to attract investment in manufacturing, agribusinesses and education and by leveraging the huge decisions the NSW Government has already made."
The team is working to complete Bradfield's first building by late 2023.
