Walker Corporation will invest over $2B in the project, touted to bring $920M in value every year to the city’s economy. The development will deliver over 1,000 construction jobs over five years.
It follows his $3B role in helping turbo-charge the growth of Parramatta – Sydney’s second CBD – through his Parramatta Square office development, which has attracted major names including the ABC and Deloitte.
The future Blacktown masterplan will deliver the Council’s vision for the Blacktown Brain and Spinal Institute, and bring education, retail, commercial offices and a hotel to the Blacktown CBD.
“This is an exciting opportunity to deliver an urban transformation which will change the way people think about Blacktown and bring thousands of new jobs closer to where people live,” Walker said.
“Blacktown is growing fast and it needs the modern amenities and infrastructure to match, accompanied by wide open public squares and better-designed access, in and around the city for pedestrians, cars, buses and those using public transport.”
The land being sold to Walker includes the Council civic centre, Bowman Hall, the Leo Kelly Arts Centre and part of a council-owned car park.
“Over the coming months we will be finessing the details of our masterplan to create vibrant, energised, people-friendly spaces through great architecture, careful placemaking and state-of-the-art facilities,” Walker said.
Blacktown is the most populous city in NSW, and its population of 400,000 is expected to hit 615,000 residents by 2041.
Blacktown City Council Mayor Tony Bleasdale said the opportunity to work closely with Walker on a transformation the same size as Parramatta Square is a “game changer”.
“This is the beginning of a major boom period for Blacktown. The Walker project will play a central role in Council’s long-term plan to ensure Blacktown residents have access to world-class infrastructure, education, health and open space in the heart of our city, for our community to flourish.”
Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger said: “Walker’s vision for Parramatta Square has transformed what was a run-down section of the CBD into a vibrant city centre that is now providing tens of thousands of new jobs in premium offices, fantastic restaurants and wide-open public plazas”.
- Australian Property Journal.
