Leaders call for $613m Nepean Business Park to be fast-tracked

It is the $613 million project expected to generate more than 18,000 jobs. Now business leaders want it fast-tracked to boost the western Sydney economy.

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The NSW Government’s has been called on to include a $613 million western Sydney business park in NSW Planning’s fast-track development schemes.

Western Sydney Business Chamber executive David Borger quizzed the government’s lack of movement on The Nepean Business Park proposal by Precinct Capital — earmarked to produce 75 per cent the total number of jobs from all 48 tranche one and two projects combined.

The multimillion-dollar business park, which will be constructed on the banks of the Nepean River in Penrith, has not been included in Planning Minister Rob Stokes’ list of shovel-ready developments.

Plans for the construction of a $613 million business park have been revealed for the banks of the Nepean River in Sydney's west – earmarked to generate more than 18,000 jobs during construction and inject $1.9 billion into the local economy.

The NBP development will produce more than 18,500 jobs to the local economy, whereas all 48 tranche one and two projects combined will provide 24,000 jobs.

Mr Borger said that the business park was a “critical project for the west” as a major driver for the creation of small to medium-sized enterprises.

“The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has forced the closure of businesses and threatened

thousands of jobs in Western Sydney,” Mr Borger told The Penrith Press.

Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger (AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook)

“It is essential that projects such as the Nepean Business Park are given the green light to get Western Sydney and the Australian economy up and running as fast as possible.”

Last month the NSW Government signed off on the exhibition of the rezoning for employment purposes at the business park site.

“The Nepean Business Park is a commonsense project for Western Sydney at a time when we are desperately wanting to see business continue to invest in the region and start to kickstart the economy after COVID-19,” Mr Borger said.

Western Sydney Business Chamber wrote to Planning Minister Rob Stokes to call on the 47 hectare site to be fast-tracked.

an overview of the Nepean Business Park development.

Precinct Capital project director Dylan Baudinet said the company was determined to “get on with the job as quickly as possible”.

“We have already started rehabilitating the site which is a former quarry but getting the next steps in the process approved is needed,” Mr Baudinet said.

NSW Minister Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes speaks to the media during a press conference. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)

A NSW Planning spokesman said the department had received a request for the Nepean Business Park to have its assessment fast-tracked through the Planning System Acceleration Program.

“The Department will consider whether it meets the criteria for future tranches,” he said.