September Newsletter 2025

A HUGE MILESTONE FOR WESTERN SYDNEY 

Tunnelling on the western end of Sydney Metro West is now complete, marking a major milestone for one of NSW’s most transformative infrastructure projects. 

The second tunnel boring machine has broken through at Westmead Station, following two years of work and the excavation of almost 800,000 tonnes of earth. This achievement brings us closer to a future where Western Sydney is better connected than ever before. 

When Metro West opens in 2032, travel times will be dramatically reduced: 

• Westmeadto Parramatta:2 minutes
• Westmeadto Sydney CBD:22 minutes

This project is about more than faster commutes—it’s about unlocking opportunity, supporting jobs, and connecting communities. Westmead’s health precinct will benefit from world-class transport links, alongside rail, bus, and light rail services. 

A special moment was shared with Westmead Public School students, who painted the final tunnel segment before it was installed—leaving a colourful mark on history. 

Watch the video to see this milestone in action. 

BIG IDEAS FOR WESTERN SYDNEY'S FUTURE 

Western Sydney’s moment of arrival is here! With Western Sydney International Airport just one year from opening, we’re focused on making sure the region is ready to welcome the world. Last week, we launched Take Flight 2026 with the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue a bold blueprint to position Sydney alongside global cities like New York, London and Tokyo. The plan includes a sustained five-year program of airline attraction incentives and practical proposals to unlock Western Sydney’s visitor economy: 

➡ Planning reform to deliver new hotel capacity
➡ A dedicated Western Sydney bureau to attract international conferences and trade shows
➡ New ideas to catalyse festival tourism, creating celebrations all year round 

This is about jobs, investment and ensuring Western Sydney takes its rightful place on the global stage. Read the full report and discover how we can make it happen. 

NEW ERA FOR CABRAMATTA AND CANLEY VALE  

Western Sydney’s hospitality and lifestyle scene just stepped up a notch with the official opening of Cabravale Club Resort in Cabramatta. Clubs are at the heart of our communities places for connection, celebration and belonging and this new venue sets a high bar for dining and entertainment. 

Adding to the excitement, Novotel Hotels has opened ahead of Western Sydney International Airport’s launch next year, ensuring the region is ready to welcome visitors from across the globe. The new MAGMA restaurant, led by hatted chef Danny Karam, is a standout addition that promises an exceptional dining experience. 

New ERA FOR MARRYLANDS

Exciting times for Merrylands. The landmark Central Quarter development has officially topped out, signalling a major transformation for this evolving town centre. 

Once considered a quiet neighbour to Parramatta, Merrylands is now buzzing with new life thanks to projects like Central Quarter. It’s fantastic to see young people feeling proud of where they live and to witness the delivery of high-quality housing and urban design in the heart of Western Sydney. 

Located adjacent to the railway station and Stockland shopping centre, the project will deliver: 

✅ 194 apartments, including 27 key worker/affordable housing units 

✅ 22 SDA NDIS units for people with disability 

✅ 3,600 sqm of retail and commercial space 

This is another positive piece in the Western Sydney puzzle creating homes, jobs and vibrant communities. 

WOOLWORTHS OPENS DISTRIBUTION HUB IN LIVERPOOL

Big news for Western Sydney Woolworths Supermarkets has officially opened its new Regional Distribution Centre in Liverpool, setting a new benchmark for logistics and supply chain innovation. This state-of-the-art facility is packed with advanced robotics and automation technology, driving efficiency and strengthening Western Sydney’s position as the logistics capital of Australia. It’s a game-changer for the region creating jobs, supporting local businesses and ensuring faster, smarter delivery for millions of customers. We were proud to join Minister Catherine King and the Woolworths team to see this transformation firsthand. Investments like this are critical to Western Sydney’s growth story, helping us attract more industry leaders and cement our reputation as a hub for innovation and opportunity. 

SYDNEY OUTLET VILLAGE OPENS IN LIVERPOOL

Sydney’s best outdoor retail experience isn’t in the CBD it’s in Liverpool. The brand-new Sydney Outlet Village at Warwick Farm officially opened, redefining shopping as entertainment with open-air plazas, alfresco dining, water features and lush landscaping. 

This destination is set to become one of Australia’s largest outlet precincts, offering a truly walkable town centre with big-brand fashion and lifestyle all in one place. The transformation from Fashion Spree to Sydney Outlet Village marks a bold step forward for retail innovation in Western Sydney. 

Western Sydney continues to lead the way in creating vibrant lifestyle destinations that attract visitors and drive economic growth. 

PARRAMATTA HALF MARATHON ANNOUNCED 

Every great city has a signature event and now Parramatta does too. In June 2026, Sydney’s second CBD will host its first major running event: the Parramatta Half Marathon. The announcement confirmed that 8,000 runners will take to the streets, with road closures and CommBank Stadium set to roar as Parramatta showcases its credentials on the global stage. This milestone signals more than just a race it’s a celebration of Western Sydney’s growth, energy and ambition. 

Western Sydney is on the move and now, we’re running.  

DRIVING PROCUREMENT REFORMS FOR WESTERN SYDNEY

Business Western Sydney recently hosted an important boardroom conversation with Michael Gadiel, Deputy Secretary for Procurement Reform and Banking Group, to discuss how NSW is reshaping procurement and investment to deliver better outcomes for communities across the state. 

Western Sydney is home to one-third of NSW’s workforce, and the decisions outlined during this session will have a profound impact on the region’s future. A key focus was the Government’s commitment to supporting SMEs and reducing barriers to participation critical steps to ensure Western Sydney businesses are front and centre in the state’s growth story. 

The discussion also explored how procurement reform can unlock opportunities for innovation, efficiency and transparency, while driving economic development in areas linked to major infrastructure projects and service delivery. 

eels centre for excellence 

Business Western Sydney was proud to host business and civic leaders at the Parramatta Eels Centre of Excellence in Kellyville a world-class facility that is redefining sports infrastructure in our region. 

This $70 million precinct, funded by the NSW and Australian Governments, The Hills Shire Council and Parramatta Leagues Club, is now the largest rugby league training facility in the world and Australia’s first gender-equal elite facility. 

With five full-sized fields, a 1,500-seat grandstand, and dedicated community spaces, the Centre of Excellence is more than a sporting hub it’s a catalyst for economic development, job creation and community growth in Western Sydney. 

OUR ACTIVE RIVERS REPORT LAUNCH

Western Sydney summers are scorching up to 10–15 degrees hotter than the coast. That’s why Business Western Sydney launched Our Active Rivers Report, a bold vision to ensure every resident lives within 20 minutes of a clean, safe, natural swimming spot. 

The report outlines policy directions and identifies the “Magnificent Seven” priority sites for activation: 

Penrith Lakes (Pondi) – Western Sydney’s answer to Bondi 

Prospect Reservoir – a ready-made family destination 

Parramatta Beach / Little Coogee – reviving a slice of history 

Richmond Jetty Pool – safe swimming on the Hawkesbury 

Penrith Jetty Pool – reconnecting locals with the Nepean 

Camden Lakes – a mini Penrith Lakes for Macarthur 

Chipping Norton Lakes – breathing new life into a South West treasure 

As Western Sydney’s population approaches three million, access to waterways isn’t just about leisure it’s about health, equity and liveability. Activated rivers also mean activated local economies, and we must improve swim safety for culturally diverse communities. 

A huge thank you to Minister for Water Rose Jackson, Dr Hugh McDermott MP, Mayor Brad Bunting, Bentley Systems and all partners who made our Annual Rivers Symposium a success. 

Read the full report

CROWNE PLAZA LAUNCH 

Parramatta continued its transformation with the official launch of the new Crowne Plaza Parramatta, a landmark development set to redefine the southern end of the CBD. Once complete, the hotel will deliver 217 rooms, boosting Western Sydney’s accommodation capacity ahead of the new airport opening. 

This precinct is primed for change, with plans for a vibrant Chinatown and a revitalised Auto Alley along Church Street. Connectivity will be a game-changer too when the M12 Motorway opens; travelers will enjoy a seamless 20-minute trip from Western Sydney International Airport to Parramatta, with no traffic lights along the way. 

The launch showcased strong backing from IHG Hotels & Resorts and Urban Property Group, signaling confidence in our region’s future as a destination for major events, conferences and international visitors with more hotels on the horizon, Parramatta is fast becoming the gateway to Western Sydney.  

SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM STRIKES A CHORD IN PARRAMATTA 

Western Sydney’s cultural landscape took a major step forward with the announcement of a new Sydney Conservatorium of Music campus in Parramatta. From August 2026, the University of Sydney will open its doors to aspiring musicians in the heart of our city a game-changer for the region’s creative economy. 

For too long, Western Sydney has lacked the arts and live music infrastructure that other global cities take for granted. This investment will give young musicians the chance to study, perform and launch their careers right here, without leaving the region. 

Parramatta has embraced the vibrancy of music in its streets, even as other parts of Sydney crack down on buskers. We’ve long championed this move because we believe the next great Australian artist should be able to say: “I got my start in Parramatta.” 

This is more than a campus it’s a statement that Western Sydney is ready to lead in culture as well as commerce.