Parramatta-Westmead campus proposal takes shape
The University of Sydney today welcomed an announcement by the NSW Government that it would enter into formal negotiations to establish a campus in Parramatta/Westmead.
The University’s Parramatta/Westmead Campus proposal builds on its 80-year history of engagement in Western Sydney and complements its longstanding leadership in the Westmead Health and Education Precinct.
The first phase of the new Parramatta/Westmead Campus is part of the University’s commitment to invest $500 million in the future of Western Sydney. By 2050 our vision is to host 25,000 students, generating 20,000 jobs and adding $13 billion to the NSW economy.
Establishing a campus in Parramatta/Westmead supports the government’s ambition to boost social and economic development in Sydney’s western cities, said University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Dr Michael Spence AC.
NSW Premier announces second University of Sydney campus at Westmead Precinct
Parramatta/Westmead campus proposal takes shape
I am delighted that, following a market sounding process, the NSW Government has chosen to negotiate exclusively with the University of Sydney to bring a shared vision to life.
“I am delighted that, following a market sounding process, the NSW Government has chosen to negotiate exclusively with the University of Sydney to bring a shared vision to life.
“Our proposal presents a once-in-a-century opportunity to create an economic, intellectual, social and cultural asset in the heart of greater Sydney,” he said.
“The campus will integrate research-led education with world-class teaching infrastructure and research facilities, complementary industry activity, community facilities and services, and key public services including a pre-K to 12 school.”
The University’s Parramatta/Westmead Campus proposal builds on its 80-year history of engagement in Western Sydney and complements its longstanding leadership in the Westmead Health and Education Precinct, which contains the largest concentration of health services in Australia. Around 160 staff, 1100 affiliates and 2200 students currently work or study at Westmead.
The proposal, which will now be the subject of detailed negotiations with the government, has the support of Western Sydney University, the University of NSW, CSIRO, the Westmead Alliance, Parramatta City Council and other key stakeholders in the district, identified by the Greater Sydney Commission as the ‘central city’ in its Metropolis of Three Cities regional plan.
Our proposal presents a once-in-a-century opportunity to create an economic, intellectual, social and cultural asset in the heart of greater Sydney.
Significant new infrastructure development and greater public transport and cultural amenities are making Sydney’s western regions an attractive area to live, work and study.
The University’s preliminary academic strategy for the campus focuses on the opportunities and challenges posed by disruptive changes at the intersection of technology and the human experience, with an initial focus on advanced manufacturing, data and artificial intelligence.
“The themes identified by our academic community would position Sydney at the forefront of global universities leading responses to the fourth industrial revolution,” said Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Garton.
“At the new heart of our city, we will work with Western Sydney’s communities and industries to tackle technical challenges and the radical inequality arising as a result of rapid technological advances, continuing our deep commitment to social transformation.”
Fast facts – University of Sydney’s Parramatta/Westmead campus
Phase 1, completed by 2030
$500 million investment, 6100 students, 3100 local jobs, 1000+ affordable housing places, social and community infrastructure.
Vision for 2050
20,000 jobs and $13 billion to NSW economy, vibrant 24/7 destination, reimagined research and teaching
Fast facts – Western Sydney
- Four million people will call Western Sydney home by 2050.
- Parramatta is now the third largest economy by GDP in Australia, behind only Sydney CBD and Melbourne.
- The NSW Government’s ambitions for a polycentric city will continue to foster the growth of Sydney’s second CBD in the Parramatta local government area.
- A large proportion of this growth is coming from overseas-born populations, creating our next generation of aspirational students.
- Nearly 40 percent of the greater Sydney population was born overseas and western Sydney has large communities from India, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.
- Between 2015–20, 65 percent of new jobs in Parramatta will be in knowledge-based areas like healthcare and education.
- Significant new infrastructure development and greater public transport and cultural amenities are making Sydney’s western regions an attractive area to live, work and study.
These include:
- plans to build a second Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek, to begin operation in 2026. The airport is expected to provide 3180 full-time equivalent jobs during peak construction, the vast majority (84 percent) in Western Sydney, and to be a catalyst for the economic development of the west
- associated upgrading of road and rail connections to the airport from major centres in Western Sydney, including a new east-west motorway between the M7 and The Northern Road
- major transport infrastructure development in the region via Sydney Metro Northwest, Parramatta Light Rail and plans for the Sydney Metro West
- plans to build Parramatta Square, a $2 billion, three-hectare mixed-use redevelopment precinct, including a cultural precinct on the Parramatta Riverbank, and the Parramatta North Urban Transformation Program, which will provide approximately 2700 new homes, create 2000 new jobs, and improve connections within Parramatta
- major redevelopment of health facilities across Western Sydney, including a $1+ billion redevelopment of the Westmead Health and Education Super Precinct.
