The market-price sale of the large parcel of land will pave the way for the development of the previously announced Blacktown Brain and Spinal Institute.
The Blacktown Brain and Spinal Institute (BBSI) is headed by renowned neurosurgeon Professor Charlie Teo AM.
The sale will provide funding for the temporary relocation of some Council administrative staff to ensure the continued delivery of services to residents and local businesses.
It will also enable the eventual planned move to new purpose-built administration offices in the CBD, and facilities for a new Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.
Blacktown City’s population is predicted to top 550,000 by 2036 and Council has recognised that new facilities are needed to ensure staff can properly service a fast-growing, modern city in the decades ahead.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said: “This will be a major leap forward in the redevelopment of the Blacktown city centre.
“The Blacktown Brain and Spinal Institute will bring hundreds of millions of dollars investment into our City and at the same time, Council will be able to develop a landmark Administration and Cultural centre.”
World leader in research
The BBSI will be a world leader in medical research, practice, treatment and recovery, catering for surgeons, patients and their families from Australia and overseas.
The development is planned to include the medical research institute (with a university partner), a private hospital, a medi-hotel, retail space, and residential apartments.
“This is an exciting project. BBSI would be one of the most significant investment serving Blacktown City, with an estimated total construction value of $800M,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
“We believe the project will attract hundreds of millions of dollars of capital investment, hundreds of long-term, highly skilled and support jobs, and millions of dollars of medical research, as well as contribute greatly to the rejuvenation of the Blacktown city centre.
“It will also provide facilities to support international medi-tourism which in turn has the potential to generate income from overseas, assisting the NSW economy.”
The BBSI would be located at the site of Council’s Administration Centre on Flushcombe Road including the former WSROC building and surrounding car park, as well as the building currently housing the Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre and part of the adjacent Blacktown Kmart carpark.
There is a commitment to retain these public parking spaces in the proposed development. Proceeds from the land sale will ensure development of the Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.
“Council is committed to retaining the Leo Kelly Arts Centre name in the form of a new arts and cultural space of equivalent, or greater, utility to the current facility,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
Blacktown City Council has resolved to adopt the BBSI project as a Transformational Project and to conduct a period of community consultation regarding the sale of the Council-owned land to facilitate the project.
The sale price will be on the basis of a ‘fair market’ process, all in line with NSW Government approval and governance rules.
Giving feedback
Residents and businesses are invited to have your say on the proposed sale. Community consultation on the sale will run for four weeks form January 24 - February 27. Visit: www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/BBSI
