Premature exhibition raises questions over Aerotropolis planning

Friday, 8 October 2021

Penrith and Liverpool City councils have today expressed concerns relating to the planning for the new Aerotropolis near Badgerys Creek.

The councils highlighted key details relating to the planning of the Aerotropolis are missing which include infrastructure, stormwater, development contribution plans and master planning guidelines.

To date, these have not been properly clarified by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, ahead of the public exhibition planned to commence from Friday, 8 October.

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment have repeatedly rejected the council's combined request to delay the exhibition to clarify the gaps ahead of the public exhibition.

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown OAM is both frustrated and disappointed that the documents will go out on public exhibition without a significant number of outstanding issues being resolved.

“Asking the community to have an open discussion is not possible when there are so many outstanding matters still to be resolved.

“If the two local councils central to the Aerotropolis development are unable to provide feedback due to the lack of clarity contained in the package, and the timeframe for the exhibition, how are local community groups and residents expected to understand, interpret and provide meaningful feedback around their concerns?’” said Cr McKeown.

Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller says that both councils agree with the findings and recommendation from the Independent Community Commissioner Professor Roberta Ryan that community consultation should be open and transparent.

“It goes without saying that the community should have a voice, however we believe that exhibiting an incomplete package to garner feedback will mean the community is not getting the full picture of how this new city will be planned, built and maintained moving forward.

“Utter transparency is needed and we’re calling on the State government to hold off the exhibition until the detail that underpins the package is clarified,” Mayor Waller said.

Cr McKeown says, “Penrith and Liverpool councils have been working hard to understand and align with the State government on the development of this new city, however, despite repeated requests for clarity on outstanding matters the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment have decided to display the documents for public exhibition anyway.”

The short timeframe for community consultation and feedback on the materials, from now until November 5, limits the ability to provide a thorough response and meaningful feedback. Especially considering the timing in connection to the rescheduled Local Government elections on Saturday 4 December.

On 23 September the Planning Partnership Project Control Group determined that they would not endorse the planning package to be exhibited at this time. This feedback has been provided to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

Media Contacts
Penrith City Council: Andrew Farrell 0417 654 798 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Liverpool City Council: Anthea Desmond 0457 111 432 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Friday, 8 October 2021.