Penrith Science Park Champions Mixed Use Zoning

Artist Impression of Sydney Science Park in Penrith from the proponents.

The announcement that the Minister for Planning has supported the rezoning of 287 hectares for the Sydney Science Park in Penrith demonstrates the importance of mixed use zoning, says the Urban Taskforce.

Urban Taskforce CEO Chris Johnson said, "The approval by the Minister for Planning of the Gateway proposal for Penrith's Sydney Science Park demonstrates government support for a mixture of jobs, dwellings, retail, research and educational uses.""In the past governments have been focussed on using inflexible land use zoning that only provided jobs and not housing in locations like these but this seems to be changing which is good news.""The Urban Taskforce has long championed mixed use development where people can live close to jobs and precincts can gain from a more cosmopolitan bustling environment. The Sydney Science Park is proposed to be zoned B4 Mixed Use and B7 Business Park. The proposal for the 287 hectare site at Luddenham includes:

• 3,400 dwellings (mix of typologies);
• 12,000 knowledge base jobs;
• Retail space;
• Education floor space and student accommodation;
• Research and development floor area;
• Primary school site;
• New roads and infrastructure;
• Landscaped open space and sporting fields.

 
Artist Impression of Sydney Science Park in Penrith from the proponents.

"The Urban Taskforce recently called for a similar 'mixed-use' approach to the Sydney Employment Lands in South Sydney where the City of Sydney proposed only affordable housing in two small pockets along with employment uses in a 265 hectares precinct. The area of the two precincts is very similar so we would see the Penrith approach as having some relevance to the South Sydney site.""To encourage mixed-use developments like the Science Park, the NSW Government will need to review its approach to zoning as outlined in the 2013 White Paper on planning reform. This is particularly required as the changes to industry are creating high technology jobs that are more compatible with other uses."Penrith Council has welcomed the recent NSW State Government's announcement that plans for the 250ha Sydney Science Park will soon be on public exhibition.

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM has said The Sydney Science Park "will be a leading international centre for research and development in the food, energy and health sectors."

"Along with quality residential, educational and retail offerings this development will realise a total of 12,000 'smart' jobs and represents significant investment in the region just 20 minutes from Penrith's City Centre.

"The Science park will also be a catalyst for the Broader Western Sydney Employment Area (BWSEA), which adjoins the airport site at Badgerys Creek.

"Our vision is for Penrith to be at the centre for an innovation hub, as Western Sydney becomes the home for new and emerging industries related to research, education and technology. The Science Park's proponents recognise this is where the talent is - Western Sydney is no longer the bastion of blue collar workers in manufacturing and logistics, our people have the skills and are looking for jobs close to where they live.

"The Science Park is exactly the kind of development we need in a strong future economy, full of opportunities for our residents, and all those who live within the catchment of our regional city."