The NSW Government has released plans to unlock up to 13,000 new homes in Sydney’s west, with a state-led rezoning proposal for the Westmead South Precinct placed on exhibition today.
With backing from Cumberland City Council, the proposal increases the number of homes previously identified under Council’s 2024 masterplan from 7,000 to approximately 13,000.
Located near the Parramatta CBD and Westmead Hospital, the precinct will be serviced by the future Westmead Metro Station due to open in 2032, alongside existing heavy rail, light rail and bus services.
The rezoning builds on the Westmead 2036 Place Strategy by concentrating the most homes within a five-minute walk of the future Metro station.
“Families in Western Sydney deserve communities that are planned properly. That means delivering homes alongside vital public infrastructure – schools, roads, public transport and open spaces – that people rely on daily,” said NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney, Prue Car.
Key features of the proposal include:
- a mix of housing types and heights ranging from two to 38 storeys, with the highest buildings closest to the new Westmead Metro Station;
- between 3 and 5% affordable homes in perpetuity;
- up to three hectares of additional public open space, including a new public plaza at the Oakes Centre and a park to park line between Sydney Smith Park and the Mays Hill Precinct;
- improved pedestrian and active transport networks, with Hawkesbury Road connecting the Oakes Centre, schools and communities;
- securing the site for a future new public primary school and community facilities to meet the needs of a growing population;
- opportunities for new shops, cafes, restaurants, and businesses in residential areas; and
- strengthening heritage protections by retaining all existing heritage items and providing additional heritage recognition for the Tooheys Palm Estate.
“The Westmead South Precinct has everything a community needs close by. Hospitals, jobs, schools and now a Metro station on the way. It makes sense to build more homes exactly where people want to live and work,” said Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully.
The Government has also begun work to secure the former Sacred Heart Catholic School site and surrounding land for a future new public primary school, with timing to be guided by student demand and population growth in the area.
Cumberland City Council Mayor, Ola Hamed said Westmead South was a strategic precinct for the Cumberland local government area.
“It supports specialised health and education services and needs a range of housing options close to local transport and other facilities,’ said Mayor Hamed.
“The NSW Government rezoning plans will help to progress the vision outlined in Council’s masterplan for the area.
“I’m pleased to see that the proposal also includes plans for open space, land for a new school and the ability to provide for more community facilities to support the growing population.
“This is an important proposal for our local community and I encourage residents to have their say during the consultation period.”
The proposal is now on public exhibition until 5pm, 16 September and members of the community are encouraged to have their say.
Drop-in sessions will be held at the Westmead Scout Hall (61A Good Street, Westmead) on Wednesday 2 September between 11am and 2pm and 3.30pm and 6.30pm.
For more information and to provide feedback during the public exhibition period, visit the Westmead South Precinct Rezoning on the NSW Planning Portal.
