Infrastructure

The Growth Centres will require $7.5 billion worth of regional infrastructure for the North West and South West Growth Centres which will be progressively delivered over the life of the Growth Centres.

Alongside this, the Precinct Planning process will help Councils determine the kind of local infrastructure which will be required for new communities in the Growth Centres.

Regional infrastructure is infrastructure which will benefit the whole of a Growth Centre area and its surrounding communities. This larger-scale infrastructure, such as regional roads or rail links, will be planned for by looking at the bigger picture roll-out of development in the Growth Centres, and will be influenced by the timing, location and requirements of new communities.

Local infrastructure is delivered by local councils and provided for the community directly serviced by, or surrounding, the infrastructure. Local infrastructure such as community centres or libraries will be located in town centres, to support the local community. These will be accessed by walking and cycle paths and local bus services and be located near to parks and playgrounds. The planning for this kind of infrastructure will happen during Precinct Planning.

These two types of infrastructure are funded in different ways.

Regional infrastructure is funded in part by the Government through the Budget process, and through a Special Infrastructure Contribution. This combination ensures the cost of infrastructure is shared between the broader community and those who benefit financially from development and will allow services which are an essential part of development to be delivered in time for population growth.
Local infrastructure will be funded through Section 94 Contributions Plans, named after a clause in the planning legislation which allows Local Councils to levy the development process to fund local infrastructure. Section 94 Plans are developed by Local Councils during the Precinct Planning process and exhibited at the same time as Precinct Planning packages.

In addition, Section 73 contributions raised by Sydney Water will pay for the provision of drinking water mains and sewage treatment.

State Agency Consultation

Supplying the right kind of infrastructure to the new communities in Sydney’s North West and South West is a huge undertaking.

State agencies deliver the regional infrastructure to be provided in the Growth Centres. State agency partnerships ensure the best and most effective outcome possible in the provision of regional infrastructure and to integrate infrastructure delivery plans into agencies' forward budget planning.

Ongoing regional infrastructure improvements which will benefit the North West and South West Growth Centres include: