Canterbury-Bankstown mayor calls for government agencies to relocate to southwest Sydney

A southwest Sydney mayor has touted his city as the “true heart of Sydney” and pushed for government agencies to move out West following claims the area was “left behind and overlooked”.

$1.3b plans to transform Bankstown Central by developers Vicinity.

A southwest Sydney mayor has touted his city as the “true heart of Sydney” and pushed for government agencies to move out west following claims the area was “left behind and overlooked”.

Canterbury-Bankstown mayor Bilal El-Hayek will table a mayoral minute at tonight’s council meeting calling for a roundtable with the NSW Premier and Treasurer to relocate government departments and agencies into the city.

“Of the more than 120 NSW government agencies and departments, just one is based in our city, the Fire and Rescue services which has a base at Greenacre,” he said.

Canterbury-Bankstown mayor Bilal El-Hayek. Picture: Robert Pozo.

Mr El-Hayek said Bankstown CBD is “on the cusp” of becoming Sydney’s next major hub as the city was “left behind and overlooked for other centres”.

“I refer to government investment and infrastructure focused on building the Parramatta CBD but that mindset needs to dramatically change and CBDs like ours need to be prioritised,” he said.

“Multicultural NSW, Fair Trading, Police, Education, Water, Aboriginal Housing …. and countless others all at Parramatta, a city which has 150,000 fewer residents.”

Mr El-Hayek said 2024 would see the city “emerge from the shadows” and create jobs and investments “not seen before” following billion-dollar development plans for the area.

$1.3b plans to transform Bankstown Central by developers Vicinity.

“The transformation of the Bankstown CBD into a health and education precinct and will provide more than 12,000 new homes along with professional spaces to attract

corporate businesses and government departments and agencies are very exciting,” he said.

He said the council would continue to advocate for SBS to have a bureau in Bankstown and touted the Metro as a major draw card to bring government agencies out west.

“A new hospital site announced with a new TAFE and the Metro is on track for an opening around this time next year,” he said.

The Bankstown metro line is set to open next year.

Mr El-Hayek said property developers including Vicinity are set to invest billions on landmark retail, office and housing projects - including their $1.3b vision to transform the heart of Bankstown into a hybrid commercial, residential, health and educational hub across 19 towers.

The NSW Government has a critical role to play in the building of our city and the

creation of jobs fit for the future,” he said.

“We must do all we can to encourage and collaborate with them to ensure we achieve the best outcomes for our residents.”