‘Starts now’: Sydney suburb to balloon by 471 per cent

One of Australia’s most lacklustre suburbs is set to be “revamped” to become a mini-city.

One of Sydney’s most lacklustre suburbs is set to be “revamped” to become the city’s next mini-city, in a move expected to balloon its population by 471 per cent in just 25 years.

This week, the NSW Government unveiled their plan “2050 Sydney Olympic Park” with plans to bring new jobs, schools, sporting facilities, shops and food and drink outlets to the area.

The main objective is to have 30,000 residents living in the area by 2050 compared to its current population of about 5,250, to utilise the Sydney Metro West which is due to be completed by 2032.

The plan envisages up to 25,000 additional residents living in Sydney Olympic Park over the next 25 years. Picture: NSW Government

The plan is also part of the Minns government’s promise to tackle the housing crisis with 13,000 more homes to be created in the area.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the area is set to be “transformed” into a “thriving well-located community”.

“In the late 1990s the precinct was repurposed from surplus industrial land into the great sporting complex that we know it as today,” he said.

“Over the next 20-30 years this area will change again to welcome more homes and jobs with a projected population increase of nearly 25,000 people.

“Planning for this growth starts now. The NSW Government has mapped out a detailed and bold vision for the site with four new sports fields, ten playgrounds, dedicated employment zones and protected biodiversity areas.”

Sydney Olympic Park hosts the city’s major concerts and sporting events, however, is little more than a ghost town throughout the week.

The plan hopes to have the essentials of the hub just 15 minutes walk between one another. Picture: NSW Government

The government is currently taking feedback on the idea from the community with submissions to conclude on November 25.

The infrastructure is set to be delivered through a “three-stage process” to keep up with the rising population.

The state government hopes the plan will ensure the Sydney Metro West is best utilised. NSW Government

In May, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an ambitious plan to build 1.2 million new homes over the next five years.

However, there are fears the goal could see a surge in potentially devastating building defects.

The Federal Government’s pressure on the home-building sector to deliver new homes at pace coincides with a crippling labour and skills shortage, as well as materials supply and cost issues.

Sydney Olympic Park is currently home to approximately 5250 people. Picture: NSW Government

Steve Abbott, founder and managing director of construction advisory and delivery services company SJA, warned the rush could result in more unsafe buildings.

“Governments are trying to force the industry into a residential boom without the resources – both within the industry and governments – to manage such a workload,” Mr Abbott warned.

“The industry needs a reliable supply of high-quality skills, staffing, a sufficient number of planners and building certifiers, a reliable talent pipeline, and building materials.”

Originally published as ‘Starts now’: Sydney suburb to balloon by 471 per cent