Liverpool City Council, Penrith City Council, GLN Planning and IDC have together won the 2021 PIA NSW Award for Planning Excellence in the Strategic Planning Project category for Local Infrastructure Planning for the Aerotropolis.
The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is the national body representing planners and the planning profession.
Liverpool City Council Mayor Wendy Waller and Penrith City Council Mayor Karen McKeown OAM were unanimous in their praise of the partnership and the results it will deliver. Mayor's Waller and McKeown said the collaboration between the Councils on a project of this scale was quite remarkable having never been done before.
"Through a unified approach our Councils were able to deliver an exceptional standard of benchmarking to integrate an evidence-based approach to the contributions plan. This information is the key input into the draft precinct plan to ensure infrastructure meets the needs of the new Aerotropolis city. It's a massive step forward for how infrastructure should be managed collaboratively across LGA boundaries," both Mayor's said.
Liverpool City Council Mayor Wendy Waller congratulated the teams, saying she was thrilled to see the successful local government partnership achieve the prestigious accolade.
"The Western Sydney Aerotropolis is a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform the landscape of the Western Parkland City and provides a global opportunity for economic investment, to create a thriving aviation based business and residential community," Mayor Waller said.
"The scale, scope and importance of this area requires a planning approach not previously seen before.
Penrith City Council Mayor Karen McKeown OAM said the partnership between the Council's was instigated to provide the best outcomes for the community and all stakeholders.
"The opportunities the aerotropolis presents cannot be understated, which is why it's important to meticulously plan the required infrastructure and how it will be delivered to realise the widespread community benefit," Cr McKeown said.
Mayor Waller added, "It is vitally important that a local infrastructure framework is in place early to ensure there is adequate consideration of infrastructure requirements, needs and costs and that there is a clear plan to align infrastructure delivery with future development."
Mayor McKeown said, "The establishment of a sustainable planning and funding model now will set the tone for success by preventing inadequate infrastructure that will be near impossible to fix once the area is built out."
Both Mayors agreed that Councils, developers and the community must have certainty in relation to the infrastructure requirements early in the planning and development phase of the Aerotropolis.
"The scale and significance of this project is unlike anything either Council has embarked on before and certainly nothing like any other region has seen. The aerotropolis is a regionally significant precinct that will play an important role in the NSW and Australian government's plans for the Western Parkland City and the state's jobs-led recovery from COVID-19," they said.
"We are pleased that this project has received the recognition it deserves. Countless hours and the skilled expertise of staff from both Councils will bring great results as the precinct takes shape," Mayor's Waller and McKeown added.
The PIA Awards for Planning Excellence recognise standout projects and individuals from NSW's planning industry and were judged by a panel of industry professionals. The judges acknowledged the challenging task of preparing a local infrastructure plan for a new city and the forward thinking demonstrated by the project.
