Draft West District Plan Co-creating a Greater Sydney November 2016 How to be involved This draft District Plan sets You can read the entire Before making a submission, out aspirations and proposals draft District Plan at read our privacy statement at for Greater Sydney’s West www.greater.sydney and send www.greater.sydney/privacy District, which includes the feedback: For more information Blue Mountains, Penrith and • via www.greater.sydney visit www.greater.sydney Hawkesbury local government call us on 1800 617 681 areas. It has been developed • by email: by the Greater Sydney [email protected] or email: Commission. • by post: [email protected] Greater Sydney Commission This draft District Plan is on Draft West District Plan formal public exhibition until PO Box 257, the end of March 2017, and will Parramatta NSW 2124 be finalised towards the end of 2017 to allow as many people as possible to provide input. This document was updated on 21 December 2016 to address typographical errors and production faults. A detailed list of the errata can be found at www.greater.sydney/content/publications Draft West District Plan Exhibition THIS SEPARATE DOCUMENT DOCUMENT Overview Draft District Maps Background Website Plan Material Dashboard Our vision — Towards our Greater Sydney 2056 Summary The requirements A compilation of Data and Reports How the A draft brochure of the legislative maps and spatial used to inform the draft District Plan is amendment to of the draft framework information used draft District Plan to be monitored update A Plan for District Plan to inform the draft Growing Sydney District Plan You can view these supporting components, as well as Our vision — Towards our Greater Sydney 2056, WEST DISTRICT our proposed 40-year vision for Greater Sydney, at www.greater.sydney. Contents Our vision West District 2036 1 1 Introduction 11 1.1 The role of district planning 12 1.2 Implementation 17 1.3 Next steps 20 2 Our vision Towards our Greater Sydney 2056 23 3 A Productive City 31 3.1 The West District’s economy 32 3.2 Creating a framework to deliver the Western City 37 3.3 Building international tourism 43 3.4 Delivering job target ranges for strategic and district centres 44 3.5 Planning for Greater Penrith as Sydney’s Western Gateway 45 3.6 Increasing, strengthening and diversifying the skill base 53 3.7 Accessing a greater number of metropolitan jobs and centres within 30 minutes 54 3.8 Accessing local jobs, goods and services within 30 minutes 55 3.9 Managing freight activities 58 3.10 Managing employment and urban services land 60 4 A Liveable City 65 4.1 The West District’s people 67 4.2 Liveability priorities 72 4.3 Improve housing choice 73 4.4 Improve housing diversity and affordability 86 4.5 Coordinate and monitor housing outcomes and demographic trends 92 4.6 Create great places in the West District 93 4.7 Foster cohesive communities in the West District 97 4.8 Responding to people’s need for services 101 5 A Sustainable City 111 5.1 The West District’s environment 113 5.2 Enhancing the West District in its landscape 114 5.3 Protecting the District’s waterways 114 5.4 Protecting and enhancing biodiversity 120 5.5 Delivering Sydney’s Green Grid 123 5.6 Managing the Metropolitan Rural Area 128 5.7 Creating an efficient West District 133 5.8 Planning for a resilient West District 136 5.9 Managing flood hazards in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley 139 Glossary 143 WEST DISTRICT Chief Commissioner’s Foreword On behalf of the Commissioners and staff of the challenges in the District, with many different Greater Sydney Commission, I acknowledge the people, places and organisations involved. traditional owners of the lands that include the The Greater Sydney Commission has been West District. established to bring together all the various parties with an interest in the District’s future We acknowledge the living culture of the and channel the collective energy into improved traditional custodians of these lands, recognise planning outcomes. that they have occupied and cared for this country over countless generations, and The Commission will take a leadership role celebrate their continuing contribution to the to make sure that public resources and life of Greater Sydney. expertise are brought together to create a more productive, liveable and sustainable city. This draft District Plan sets a vision for growth and development in the West District. It will This draft District Plan is an important step in form the overarching strategy for all future setting a vision for growth and development planning in the area. in the West District and Greater Sydney. I thank everyone from the community, industry, The draft District Plan recognises what we have councils, government and other stakeholder heard to date – particularly that the District’s groups who have contributed so far in natural landscape is a great asset and a great developing this draft District Plan for public attractor, sustaining and supporting a unique, comment. bushland city. We know that over the next 20 years, changes in our social make-up – such as I encourage all stakeholders with an interest the expected increase in people in the over 65 in the West District to now take the time to and especially the over 85 age brackets – will review and provide feedback on the draft require specific planning in terms of housing District Plan. Your suggestions, comments and and social infrastructure. opinions will be crucial in making this Plan We also know that the investment in a living and working document to guide the the Western Sydney Airport will have a West District’s future. transformational effect on the District, including employment opportunities. Now we want to Lucy Hughes Turnbull AO know how we can build on the District’s assets, Chief Commissioner and major infrastructure investment, as the District’s population grows and how we can deal with the difficult questions and conflicts that may arise. Everyone benefits when there is more clarity on our city’s approach and better guidance on what we should be prioritising. In getting this right, we recognise that collaboration will be key. There is a diversity of opportunities and WEST DISTRICT District Commissioner’s Foreword The West District is Greater Sydney’s bushland get around and access day to day services and city, a place surrounded by World Heritage- facilities within the District. With more jobs on listed landscapes, with a sprinkling of towns our doorstep, we can see more people working and centres that combine village charm and locally and experiencing reasonable commutes. heritage character. To support this, we will need a greater diversity of homes in the District, so that people who This iconic landscape is more than a backdrop – want to live here can afford to do so, and choose it is the West District’s underlying asset. People the type of home that better suits their lifestyle. travel from around the world to experience this landscape – mountains, escarpments, rural This draft District Plan is part of a concerted hinterland and rivers. The landscape is the conversation between all of us who live and foundation for how we think and plan for the work here about how we can come together to District – it resonates in our places and informs create the kind of West District we aspire to. the District’s design and structure. I’m eager for as many people as possible to With expected population growth, the planned get involved. This conversation will continue investment of the Western Sydney Airport, the throughout the coming months as we finalise economic potential of Greater Penrith and this draft District Plan and it’s an important first increasing tourism numbers and experiences, formal step in helping to shape the decisions we want to work across government to realise that will drive the District’s future. the potential of this District. Sean O’Toole OAM The development of Australia’s first 21st West District Commissioner Century international airport at Badgerys Creek within the next 10 years will drive population growth, improve transport links and create new jobs and economic opportunities for Greater Penrith. This is a unique chance to grow new markets in international and domestic tourism, advanced logistics, aerospace industries freight, transport, health, education and the knowledge economy. The Western Sydney City Deal between the Australian and NSW Governments, with local government will drive this growth. With this transformative change, we will work to protect and enhance the character and feel of our places and make it easier for residents to WEST DISTRICT WEST DISTRICT 1 Our vision – West District 2036 20-year vision, priorities and actions for the West District The West District’s unique and rich tapestry of urban, rural and natural environments, combined with access to jobs, quality health care, education, recreation, cultural and natural experiences creates a great quality of life for its communities. In 2036, the West District will continue to be The District will leverage investment in the a place where its people are its strength. All proposed Western Sydney Airport, connecting backgrounds and cultures will be respected and the region to the rest of the world and valued, with people sharing a determination to planned in a way that protects our world-class realise the District’s potential while cherishing landscapes. The Western City around the Airport its unique environment and heritage. will deliver local jobs and business activity to the area. The dynamic city of Greater Penrith – an economic and service hub for the District and The District’s resilient economy will also draw on the gateway to the Blue Mountains and the new opportunities and innovations, providing Central West region of NSW – will build on its jobs and services for more than one million renowned health and education super precinct.