Bankstown’s 19-storey university clears major hurdle

A vertical university could move into Bankstown’s city centre, bringing with it jobs and millions of dollars worth of investment.

An artist’s impression of the new Bankstown campus planned by Western Sydney University.

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The transformation of Bankstown town centre cleared an important milestone after plans for Western Sydney University’s 19-storey campus gained local government support.

Canterbury Bankstown Council has approved Western Sydney University’s plans in principal to build a vertical campus on a 2500 sqm site between its own administration building and the Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre.

Rickard road, carpark and green space, outside library at Bankstown CBD. Picture: Carmela Roche.

“The new campus will almost single-handedly transform Bankstown’s CBD,” Mayor Khal Asfour said.

“By injecting tens of millions of dollars into the local economy every year, creating more local jobs, and further supporting Canterbury-Bankstown’s status as an education and health precinct.”

The university is slated to have 10,000 student enrolments — accommodating 3400 at any one time — and have 650 employees.

The Milperra campus of Western Sydney University.

But they would likely rely on public transport as only 94 parking spaces would be included in the development.

The application will now progress to the NSW Government, but the Federal Government will need to sign off on the 19-storey height due to its proximity to Bankstown Airport.