Blacktown residents want walkable job opportunities as Walker Corporation plans $2.5bn city centre transformation

Residents in Western Sydney have called for local job opportunities within a walkable 30-minute radius as part of a new multi-billion city centre transformation.

Artist impression of the Blacktown quarter transformation.

Western Sydney residents are calling for local job opportunities to be within a walkable 30-minute radius as part of a new multi-billion city centre transformation.

The insights were revealed in one of the biggest community surveys conducted by Blacktown Council, with developer Walker Corporation, for the $2.5bn project.

With roughly 435,000 residents across 54 suburbs, more than 2700 people and visitors aged between 12 and 85 provided feedback in an online survey, and hundreds more attended pop-up sessions.

About 78 per cent of respondents endorsed Blacktown Council working with Walker to deliver the Blacktown Quarter revitalisation, listing jobs, green public spaces, improved safety, better transport connectivity, day-to-night dining and environmentally sustainable design as the key inclusions for the final masterplan.

More than 85 per cent of people indicated that they wanted the city to be activated at night, with more restaurants and dining options, parking and accessibility, events and entertainment, and a safer city.

An artist’s impression of what the quarter could look like.

An artist’s impression of what the revamp could look like.

Local business owner and resident Yasmin Dost echoed thousands of comments from fellow residents who want to see Blacktown become the next world-class city centre in western Sydney.

“I’ve lived in Blacktown my whole life, and it’s a great place but there’s not enough to do here, we have to travel out to other places to have fun,” Ms Dost said.

“Blacktown has so much to offer but we’re overdue for an upgrade and getting those modern elements you see in the best cities. So, we’re really excited to see these changes.”

Michelle and Yasmin Dost at Apollo Blacktown.

The Walker survey team in Blacktown.

Blacktown Mayor Brad Bunting welcomed the community’s enthusiasm, saying the transformation is about “building a city that reflects who we are”.

Walker Managing Director and Chief Executive David Gallant said his team is using the feedback to help shape the next planning stages with the development set to deliver more than 1000 construction jobs over five years.

The project could add more than 4500 permanent jobs and $1b to the local economy.

This article is part of the Future Western Sydney series, which is proudly supported by Clubs NSW, Powerhouse, Transurban, Walker Corp, Western Sydney International Airport and Western Sydney University

Originally published as Blacktown residents want walkable job opportunities as Walker Corporation plans $2.5bn city centre transformation