Councils Unveil Tall Tower Zoning for Leppington Centre

Agents are listing properties around the future Leppington town centre to turn farmland into high-density living after the release of a new masterplan.

Camden and Liverpool councils teamed to create the joint planning proposal for the growth zone 20km from the Western Sydney International Airport. 

It paves the way for tall buildings to create 11,000 apartments and townhouses in the next 20 years, including over-station developments and mixed-use zones.

Around the inner core would be buildings up to 65m with bonuses that allow developers to exceed the maximum height on merit. 

The 440ha strategic site was identified by the NSW government, and councils reviewed the potential of the region in 2019.

Stage 1 was rezoned in 2015, while 2 and 5 were rezoned 2021, adding new school infrastructure and lower density housing. The centre would bring these parts together.

Transactions on surrounding farmland began to pick up around this time. Much of the land has remained untouched since the 1980s, according to records.

Trackside properties nearing a hectare sold for near $5 million during the pandemic, while a 2.45ha site sold for $12 million more recently.

Across the area there are 374 landholdings with 294 unique landowners or state agencies. The largest private site is 8.5ha while state agencies hold 2.62 hectares.

▲ The draft planning proposal is on exhibition until February.

Camden mayor Ashleigh Cagney said what lay ahead was an exciting time for Leppington.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a vibrant, attractive town centre that will be a home for generations,” Cagney said.

“This draft proposal will help make Leppington a destination for locals and visitors to our area.

“The vision is for Leppington to become a thriving town centre with a mix of homes, shops, open space and community facilities, connected to the Aerotropolis and located within the heart of the Western Parkland City.”

Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun said it was a new era for Sydney’s south-west as it grew into the economic powerhouse of the region.

“With 400 people moving to the south-west every week this will provide much needed jobs and housing,” Mannoun said.

“The draft proposal, if adopted, will see Leppington Town Centre transformed into a vibrant area. 

“We have seen the success of Edmondson Park—we need Leppington to be better than that, in order to cater to the needs of a rapidly growing population.”

Sydney Metro and the state government have also identified Leppington Train Station as a future strategic rail connection to the Aerotropolis.