Revealed: The secret plan to turn this Sydney airport into housing, extend metro
Bankstown Airport would be redeveloped into a mini-city of 30,000 homes under radical plans being explored by airport operator Aware Super, which has discussed the idea with relevant governments.
The proposal would involve extending the Bankstown metro line – which is due to open later this year – by at least one stop to service the area now occupied by the airport.
The site of Bankstown Airport.Google Maps
Some senior figures in the NSW government are aware of and actively supporting the idea.
The government is looking for options for more housing density after its plan to convert the Rosehill Racecourse to a mini-city of 25,000 homes was scuttled by Australian Turf Club members last year.
The federal government, which owns the land, confirmed it was aware of the idea but played it down, stressing Bankstown Airport still plays an important role in aviation, and noting the current master plan does not allow residential development.
Two state government sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak freely, said they had seen an artist’s impression of the redeveloped site, although they would not provide the illustration, and neither would Aware Super.
Other sources outside government said they were aware of the idea, but were uncertain as to how advanced it was. No unsolicited proposal has been submitted to the state government.
Aware Super chief executive Deanne Stewart would not answer calls, but a spokeswoman did not deny the idea was being explored, and said the fund was committed to continuing the site’s development.
Even a large-scale residential project of 30,000 homes would not necessarily require the entire airport to be redeveloped. The airport’s total size exceeds 300 hectares, or five times the size of Rosehill Racecourse, which was slated for 25,000 homes under the Australian Turf Club’s now-extinguished plans.
The opening of Western Sydney Airport later this year potentially reduces the necessity of Bankstown Airport, according to proponents of the proposal, by providing an alternative location for charter flights, emergency services, flight training and the other predominant uses of Bankstown.
However, moving emergency service flights – which need to operate at a moment’s notice – to Western Sydney Airport could impact commercial and freight operation flight paths and schedules. Moving operations outside the metropolitan area would also prolong emergency response times.