NewsLocal has partnered with Lendlease to commission an exclusive YouGov poll to discover what the people of western Sydney like about where they live.

A resounding number of residents have said they love their local dining options, access to public transport and open space more than anything else.

Finding great places to dine out is key for western Sydney residents, who say they do not need to travel very far to indulge in incredible food.

A total of 71 per cent of western Sydney residents polled said they were satisfied with their local dining options, with 20 per cent saying their favourite cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs were excellent.

A further 51 per cent of respondents claimed local options were in abundance.

Lendlease urban strategy and place making expert Seamus McCarthy said small business, local infrastructure and ambitious residents were key to the creation of good communities in the west.

“What is key to place making is authenticity and this is brought by local retailers and the people that call this space home,” Mr McCarthy said.

“There is no one-size-fits-all checklist for the creation of a new community or the redevelopment of a community.

“If we are going into an existing community we are there to enhance the space and contribute to it in a positive way, so we work to establish local infrastructure to support growth.”

While food ranked highly for all western Sydney residents, access to public transport was also a major selling point, with 54 per cent revealing this as a major attraction of their neighbourhood.

Forty-one per cent said access to open spaces was also a win for residents in the west.

EUROPEAN FLARE IN WESTERN SYDNEY

ALEX Aslan from Alex and Co. Parramatta was determined to bring European flare to western Sydney dining.

The 32-year-old business owner, who hails from Greystanes, said he “knows what people want” in their dining experience — and has striven to give them just that.

“We were attracted to Western Sydney because of my lifelong connection — it is where I grew up,” Mr Aslan said. “I felt I had a lot to bring to Western Sydney, people here love their entertainment, night-life and most importantly, their food.

“I wanted to provide locals with a new dining experience because I have seen the way the Europeans do it and it is full of flare and entertainment.”

Mr Aslan said he felt like he was filling a gap in the Parramatta food scene when he launched his business in 2017.

“Everybody has to eat, but people want a destination,” he said.

“There is a real food culture that is established in Western Sydney and more specifically in Parramatta.

“We are attracting people from everywhere and not just the western suburbs, but the city and eastern suburbs as well — restaurants are creating a name for Parramatta.”

Mr Aslan said Parramatta’s eat street is now a destination for food from around the globe.

“A mix of food options are very important,” he said. “They may be our competitors but other restaurants with specific cuisines are creating an incredible food culture at the heart of Sydney.”

CAFE CULTURE THRIVES

CAFE owner Louis Gjorsevski says food is the biggest drawcard western Sydney has to offer.

Since he launched The Shed at Macathur Square in 2004, he has seen a dramatic rise of “cafe culture”.

“We wanted to provide good quality, organic food and there is a real demand for this in the region,” Mr Gjorsevski said. “We felt like we were filling a big gap in the market, but now small businesses everywhere are creating their own cafe culture.”

Mr Gjorsevski said he believed people were finally realising you didn’t have to travel to Glebe or Surry Hills to experience good quality food.

“We are providing creative, good health food that consumers want,” he said.

FAMILIAR FACES ALL THE RAGE

FOR small business owner Warren Walker, the interaction with customers is more important than the food he makes.

The 42-year-old chocolatier, who was a truck driver before he launched the Green Chocolate Lounge at Jordan Springs, said his transition into the dining scene has been motivated by his love of a good chat.

“I have always lived in western Sydney and love the people here,” he said.

“When we opened we thought that people in their late teens would be our target market, but people of all ages are enjoying the experience.

“I love having a chat to customers about their day, so to me the food comes second to the customers.”