Major development plans for New South Wales driven by the new planning system

New South Wales is currently experiencing a major boom with infrastructure, transport and development projects; some of these major projects include: Barangaroo South, Sydney’s Light Rail Project, WestConnex, the reimagining of Darling Harbour and Newcastle 2030. The new planning system for New South Wales will drive this construction boom; essential infrastructure, including major projects was highlighted by the NSW Infrastructure white paper. NSW is now heading down a much clearer path allowing for these major developments to happen.

WestConnex is one of the NSW Governments’ major infrastructure projects; 33 kilometres long it will link Sydney’s west and south-west with the city, airport and Port Botany.  With $1.8 Billion coming from the NSW Government, the Federal Government will commit a further $1.5 Billion over four years and the rest of the remaining $8.5 billion needed will come from the private sector via tolls; tolls will capped at $7.70. The project is divided up into 3 different stages; these stages will be running concurrently from 2015-2023.

Jeff McCloy, Lord Mayor of Newcastle NSW will be discussing Newcastle’s 2030 plan at the NSW Major Projects Conference; this 2030 plan will see Newcastle turn into a smart, sustainable and liveable city. McCloy stated “Since the Newcastle 2030 Community Strategic Plan was endorsed just two years ago there has been real progress toward changing Newcastle’s reputation from steel city to cosmopolitan coastal centre”. This plan is community driven allowing input and development from locals, consideration for the future and the environment are key elements in this plan.

Sydney’s Light Rail Project is estimated to cost $1.6 billion and subject to planning approvals will commence works in 2014. The Light Rail will run from Circular Quay to Kingsford and Randwick, with the capacity to hold up 300 people it will free up space on existing buses that only have the capacity to hold up to 60 people. A ‘turn up and go’ approach will be adopted with services running very two to three minutes during peak times. Jeff Goodling, Light Rail, Project Manager, Transport NSW will be discussing further details about this project at the Conference.

Ross Cameron, Chairman, Aspire Sydney Consortium is also speaking at the Conference discussing the bold proposed $100 billion project to remake Sydney with finance, labour and refabricated steel and concrete from China. Cameron’s plan was to build the M4 East motorway in exchange for the rights to develop over 150 hectares of government-owned rail land which is located between Central and Strathfield. After the NSW government rejected the proposal in November 2012 it will be thought provoking to hear about this inspired project.

Key industry suppliers are involved at this Conference which includes Projectlink, Aggreko, CPS – Property & Infrastructure Project Managers, Parchem, Laney, ACO, Hebel, Ensemble, TAFE Sydney, Valmont and Blackwoods. Vital speakers include: Chris Lock, Deputy Director General - Transport Projects Division, Transport for NSW, Nick Crawley, Principal, Corality Financial Group, Michael Kilgariff, CEO, Australian Logistics Council, John Connor, CEO, Climate Institute, Garry Bowditch, SMART Infrastructure Facility, Uni of Wollongong and Chris Wilson, Executive Director, Development Assessment & Systems Approvals, NSW Department of Planning & Infrastructure.

More information on the NSW Major Projects Conference 2013 can be found at www.nswconference.com.au.