The NSW Government is working with federal and local government colleagues to develop a Western Sydney Aerospace and Defence Industries precinct adjacent to the airport. The precinct will leverage the investment in the airport and surrounding infrastructure and is expected to create approximately 5,000 jobs and over AUD$15 billion of industry gross value over the next 30 years.
One part of this future investment has already materialised. In May 2017 Northrop Grumman committed $50 million towards a new advanced defence electronics maintenance operation that will eventually be located in the new precinct.
Securing an anchor tenant of the calibre of Northrop Grumman this early in the planning process, means the precinct is well on its way to becoming an Asia-Pacific hub for the aerospace and defence industries.
Under the strategy for the precinct, the NSW Government plans to attract small, medium and large aerospace and defence businesses across a range of capabilities, both from within Australia and internationally.
Northrop Grumman is the first of a range of businesses expected to establish a presence in aviation education, pilot and simulation training, parts manufacturing, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.
Together, the Western Sydney Airport and the Aerospace and Defence Industries precinct will form the core of the surrounding ‘aerotropolis’ - transforming the western Sydney economy.
The heart of defence in Australia
The precinct will also consolidate NSW at the heart of the nation’s defence industry sector. It will help deliver key parts of the NSW Defence and Industry Strategy, ensuring the state is well placed to capitalise on the record Australian peacetime defence expenditure of AUD$195 billion, that has been forecast over the decade to 2026.
It will also be a hub for defence manufacturing for the Army, Air Force and Navy, along with cyber-security and big data, and for professional services such as consulting, engineering and design.
Timeline for development of the precinct
In September 2017 work will be completed on Phase 2 of the precinct concept feasibility study. The NSW Government’s Aerospace Industry Development Strategy and the concept master plan are expected to be completed by October.
Construction on the airport itself is expected to commence in 2018, and work is already underway to prepare the site.
Once the airport and its adjoining precinct are operational from the mid-2020s, there are long- term plans for further expansion, with construction of a second runway expected by around 2050. It is expected that by 2063 the airport will be capable of handling 82 million passengers a year.
For further information please contact the NSW Department of Industry: wsadip@industry.nsw.gov.au.
