The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue has heralded plans for a new tourism and leisure precinct as a once in a generation opportunity to transform recreation in Greater Western Sydney.
Unveiled at the Dialogue’s Boomtown Project of the Year awards ceremony last night, the Western Sydney Lakes precinct will deliver a range of different leisure, retail, commercial and recreation spaces, including an iconic, two-storey pavilion surrounded by a pier, boardwalk and lake run, providing a safe swimming space for locals and visitors to the area.
Christopher Brown AM, Chairman of the Dialogue, said the project will provide much-needed access to recreation, entertainment and sports facilities for the people of Western Sydney, and open up new opportunities for the visitor economy.
“This is a visionary and once in a generation opportunity to develop a high-quality public recreation destination in Western Sydney for all to enjoy – one that that will be locally loved and globally recognised,” Mr Brown said.
“Importantly, Western Sydney Lakes will provide residents of Greater Western Sydneyaccess to recreational water facilities not previously available in the area, ensuring that people in the West wouldn’t have to travel long distances to enjoy a day at the beach.
“The Covid-19 pandemic showed us just how important accessible open green and blue spaces are for local communities. It also highlighted the disparity in access for residents in the West compared to those in the East.
“The Dialogue has long championed the rights of Western Sydney’s communities to have access to clean and swimmable waterways. We call on the government to back this unique development that will provide a popular tourism destination and help level the playing field for the people of Western Sydney.”
Situated on the banks of the Nepean River at the foot of the Blue Mountains, this proposal will transform the site into a unique recreational space and tourism hub for the Western Parkland City.
The waterways precinct is part of a 2,000-hectare site that was once the largest sand and gravel quarry in the Southern Hemisphere.
Now pristine waterways, parklands and rejuvenated natural habitats, the area is five times the size of Sydney’s Centennial Parklands and holds more water than Sydney Harbour.
Jacqueline Vozzo, CEO Western Sydney Lakes, said the transformation will be a first for Australia.
“Upon completion, this will not only be Western Sydney’s playground, but one of the country’s truly iconic attractions that combines the best that a harbour foreshore and beachfront has to offer, in the heart of Western Sydney,” Ms Vozzo said.
“With a new 24-7 international Airport opening in less than four years, bringing millions of visitors to our doorstep, we can’t wait to show Western Sydney to the world.”.
“The combination of this abundant open green space, sandy beaches and network of lakes against the backdrop of the World Heritage Blue Mountains will provide world-class sporting and recreational facilities.
“This is set to be an iconic destination, a place to come together in a uniquely Western Sydney waterfront parkland of incredible beauty.”
Western Sydney Lakes is already home to the Penrith Whitewater Stadium and the Sydney International Regatta Centre, which opened for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, attracting water sport enthusiasts from across the country and around the world.
The new development plans also include an extension of the Great River Walk and construction of a 20km walking and cycleway with training and racing opportunities for triathlon and cycle clubs.
There is also a proposed Production Precinct, which would include film and TV studios, production stages, filming tanks, construction and design facilities, a film school, as well as an 18-hole golf course and heliport.
For media information Belinda Wallis – Media & Communications Manager Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue belinda@westernsydney.org.au 0466 386 887
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We acknowledge and honour Aboriginal People who have cared for Country in Greater Western Sydney for at least 60,000 years and acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather today.
The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue thanks these Traditional Owners and we pay our respects to their Ancestors and Elders – past, present and emerging.
We also acknowledge the vital role played by our Local Aboriginal Land Councils, the modern custodians for all First Nations people who currently live in our region, home to one of the largest urban Aboriginal populations in Australia.
