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AUSTRALIA’S new gateway to the world is on its way, with the official start of construction for Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport’s passenger terminal.

Western Sydney Airport Chief Executive Offi cer Simon Hickey said the terminal is being designed with the customer at its heart–with international and domestic services under one roof to deliver a seamless experience for airlines and passengers, whether they be leisure fl yers, business travellers or families.

“Th is will be Australia’s best airport terminal, with world-leading technology, innovative design and excellent customer service coming together to set a new benchmark for what Australians will expect when they fl y,” Mr Hickey said.

“At Western Sydney International, we’ll get passengers on their way sooner, whether that’s gett ing to your meeting on time or arriving home to loved ones.”

Mr Hickey said every element of the airport is being designed to deliver the most seamless and reliable experience possible for customers, from the design of the gates to the cutt ing-edge baggage handling system.

“We’re aiming to make the anxious wait around the baggage carousel a thing of the past,” Mr Hickey said.

“Our baggage system will give passengers the option to track their bags via an app so they know exactly when they will arrive.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build an airport from the ground up with consideration not only for emerging technologies, such as air taxis, but also technology that has yet to be imagined.”

Mr Hickey said construction of the terminal alone is expected to create more than 1,400 direct jobs and many more indirect jobs through fl ow-on benefi ts to suppliers and the local economy.

“Th is project will be a game-changer for Western Sydney locals who want to work closer to home and have more time to spend with their families, not just in the construction phase but for many decades to come,” he said.

Th e terminal will be a destination in its own right – with specialty retail, restaurants and cafes, as well as an outdoor plaza that can host events like local food festivals, markets and community celebrations.

Sustainability is a key consideration, with the terminal designed to bring in natural light and reduce carbon emissions.

Th e terminal roof will be productive, generating solar electricity and harvesting rainwater. Sustainable and recycled materials will be used throughout the terminal, including the structure, fi nishes and furniture.

Th e design pays tribute to Western Sydney’s rich Aboriginal heritage, connecting visitors arriving in Australia at Western Sydney International to more than 60,000 years of Aboriginal culture.

Th e terminal plaza will have a station on the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line and will be connected to Sydney’s motorway network via the new toll-free M12 Motorway.

Western Sydney International is on track to open to international, domestic and air cargo services in late 2026.

Work starts on the airport terminal.

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David Borger. The Roxy Parramatta.

BUSINESS Western Sydney has put forward a Five-Point Plan to energise the region’s performance and entertainment economy in response to the NSW Government’s WestInvest Fund.

Western Sydney has long been a crucible for the performing arts, producing many of Australia’s topline bands, musicians, and actors: a place where award winning actors such as Bryan Brown and hip-hop artists like L-FRESH Th e LION have grown up and started to developed their talent.

Unfortunately for Western Sydney, the lack of cultural infrastructure and performance venues means that these great local artist have to leave the region to be able to perform and further develop their burgeoning talent.

“Twenty years ago, Western Sydney had one and a half million people and just six local live performance theatres, now we have close to three million people and yet we still haven’t increased the number of stages and venues. Th e Roxy in the heart of Parramatt a has been boarded up and the only new theatre space we’ve had in decades is the Colosseum at West HQ,” said Business Western Sydney Executive Director, David Borger.

“Unless something is done, in another 20 years we’ll have nearly fi ve million residents in the West but we’ll still only have six venues.”

“We cannot delay. We need to start planning and investing now if we are going to arrest this defi cit.”

Business Western Sydney’s Five-Point Plan for the performance and entertainment economy includes: 1. Reopen the Roxy in Parramatta as a premier entertainment venue, as well as investing in the renewal of some of our older venues like the Joan at Penrith and the Riverside

Theatres at Parramatta. 2. Expand the Campbelltown Arts

Centre by building a theatre.

Council have been calling for this for a decade. 3. Expand the planning and density bonus scheme to incentivise new developments to include places of live performance and venues in new developments, such as is being used in places like Oxford St Paddington and the CBD. Such a scheme should be expanded to include the main centres of Western Sydney like

Parramatta, Liverpool Blacktown,

Penrith and Campbelltown. 4. Expand the Heritage Floor Space

Scheme in the CBD to include the main centres of Western Sydney.

The scheme that saved Sydney’s

State and Capitol theatres could also help fund the renewal of the

Roxy and the Joan. 5. Turn the Crescent in Parramatta

Park into the Hollywood Bowl of

Sydney. Build proper seating and infrastructure to create world class outdoor events.

“Imagine Parramatt a in a few years’ time. We could have the Roxy re-open, the new Th eatrett e at the Powerhouse Parramatt a, and an expanded and reinvigorated Riverside Th eatres.

“Within a 500 metres radius we’d have nearly 4,500 seats hosting music and theatre seven nights a week in the heart of Sydney’s central city. Combine that with new outdoor festival space at Th e Crescent in Parramatt a Park and major concerts and sporting events at CommBank Stadium and we’d fi nally have what NSW has needed for decades, a vibrant live performance district,” said Urban Planner, Sean Macken.

THE Premiership winning Penrith Panthers has thousands of supporters in Greater Blacktown thanks to the unique talents of local juniors like Jarome Luai and Brian To’o and now they will be able watch their favorite team in a new stadium.

Th e NSW Government will redevelop Penrith Stadium as part of its commitment to turn suburban venues into world class facilities.

Work on the stadium will begin at the start of 2023 and is expected to take two years.

Th e existing Stadium which has grown in spurts since the Panthers entered the comp. in 1967 will be knocked down.

In its place will be built a “boutique” style stadium housing up to 30,000 spectators and costing $300m.

Th e stadium strategy has identifi ed the area from Eastern Creek to Greater Penrith as a key growth area which emphasised the importance of the area’s local NRL team.

NRL chairman Peter V’Landys told media that it was “the best news ever” for Penrith and young kids would aspire to play at a world class stadium.

Premier Dominic Perrott et said the announcement and confi rmation of construction would give Western Sydney an outstanding landmark venue, befi tt ing of Australia’s only global city.

“Th e Eastern City is gett ing a world class stadium, the Central City has world class stadia and now the Western City will have a world class stadium,” Mr Perrott et said.

“Penrith Stadium is a hub for Western Sydney–it’s where sporting success is celebrated, where families come together, and where our next generation of sporting superstars train.

“But this upgrade is about much more than sport, it is about bringing suburban venues to the fore and taking major events across the state.”

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the investment would help carry Western Sydney into the future.

“Th is new venue will help take Penrith to the next level in sport, entertainment and tourism,” Mr Ayres said.

“With a new international airport and metro rail line on the way in the Western Parkland City, now is exactly the right time to be investing in visitor economy assets in centres like Penrith.

“While this venue will be home to the current NRL

Pictured at the stadium announcement are (l to r) Tanya Davies , Isaah Yeo, Dominic Perrottet, Stuart Ayres and Jarome Luai. (Photo: Penrith Panthers). Premiers the Penrith Panthers, it is about so much more than rugby league. Th is stadium will be a new major event venue for our growing population in Western Sydney.” Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said the upgrade would ensure Sydney and NSW were well placed to host major events in years to come. “We already have Sydney locked in as a host city for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and now with Penrith Stadium set to become a fi rst-class venue, the sky is the limit when it comes to events NSW can bid for,” Ms Ward said.

All Western Sydney Academy of Sport programs are endorsed by and implemented under collaboration with the respective State Sporting Organisations, and the collective of Regional Academies across the State is also guided by a Memorandum of Understanding with the NSW Institute of Sport.

The Academy also continues to build significant partnerships that enable the servicing of our athletes at a high level of quality and relevance. A significant example of this process is the recently introduced sports science framework developed and implemented in partnership with Sydney West Sports Medicine.

All Academy athletes (and parents) will receive educational seminars in key focal areas such as nutrition and strength and conditioning. The athletes will also under go a battery of tests as part of their physiological assessment, with reports provided to each athlete concerning their status and areas of improvement. Athletes will also be offered the opportunity to join in extended strength and conditioning programs.

As part of the Academy's commitment to inclusive sport and underrepresented groups such as ATSI, CALD and Athletes with Disability, we are developing initiatives that will provide opportunities to these athletes and looking to engage with key supporting organisations. Following the easing of COVID restrictions the Academy has moved quickly to develop and commence a number of our athlete development programs, with seven programs now underway and a further four to commence in the New Year.

Following selection trials, our athletes have commenced the track component of the program at the Dune Gray Velodrome, with the road racing component to follow in April 2022.

With the 2021 program severely disrupted by COVID we are extending the program right through 2022 and will be seeking nomination from potential new athletes to add to our squad. With five BMX Club facilities across western Sydney the program is exceptionally well supported by these Clubs, enabling a variety of venue access.

Our talented young golfers recently selected in the squad for 2021-22 will receive the benefit of two first class venues at which they will receive technical development training delivered by highly accredited coaches. The Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club at Luddenham has been a long term partner of the Academy and provides first class facilities. Our new venue partner is the 19th Golf Driving Range at Jamisontown which boasts high end technical analysis and coaching technology aids and is accessible after daylight hours.

Designed to cater for athletes who are excelling at non-mainstream sports not featured in our squad based programs, our numbers continue to grow with 10 male and female athletes representing sports such as Fencing, Athletics and Canoe Slalom recently selected into the 2021-22 program.

With an abundance of highly talented young netball players across western Sydney, our Netball Program has always been the benchmark for talent identification and development. There are currently six Academy netball alumni competing at the highest level of the sport in the country. A large squad of 24 has recently been selected with the full program to get underway at the end of January 2022.

The Academy not only supports the development of athletes and coaches, we provide a development program for netball officials (umpires) and recently selected seven aspiring top level umpires to participate in all facets of our netball program commencing in 2022.

Supported by some exceptional coaches, our Tri program has commenced with 12 male and female athletes undertaking a highly focused technical development program across the three disciplines of running, swimming and bike riding. The program is delivered across a range of venues reflecting the diversity in sport disciplines for Triathlon.

A long time coming, but we have finally been able to get a development program for junior rugby players underway. This program has been developed and is being delivered with strong input from all local western Sydney Clubs, and through the assistance of many coaches from these Clubs who have volunteered to help implement the new program. It will cater for male and female players in the 13-18 age range.

Once we enter the new year the Academy will be implementing its Netball and Netball Umpires Program, a Softball Program, Rowing Program and a new indoor Volleyball program.

Further details regarding all our programs can be found at our website: www.wsas.com.au

Penrith Stadium, 143 Station Street, Penrith NSW | P 02 4732 4977 E natalie@wsas.com.au | www.wsas.com.au

Artist impressions of the new hospital.

PENRITH and Nepean Blue Mountains communities can now take their first look inside Stage Two of the $1B Nepean Hospital Redevelopment, with the unveiling today of fly-through animation showcasing the world-class health facilities.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said hospital staff and community representatives had provided valuable input into the design of the new facilities to ensure they meet the community’s growing healthcare needs.

“Th e $1B redevelopment and expansion of Nepean Hospital will transform healthcare in the region–bringing world-class health services much closer to home for the Penrith and Nepean Blue Mountains communities,” Mr Hazzard said.

Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said the redevelopment project would expand and upgrade Nepean Hospital and community health services in two stages, to benefi t the Penrith and Nepean Blue Mountains communities for years to come.

“Th is major project will generate thousands of jobs and deliver the very best healthcare available to the community, making the region an even more appealing place to live and work,” Mr Ayres said.

“Th is project is a huge win for the wider Penrith community and future proofs healthcare for our growing population.”

Stage Two delivers the expansion and upgrade of essential clinical services including a new intensive care unit, in-centre renal dialysis unit, medical imaging and nuclear medicine, more beds, cardiology services and integrated community health services, as well as the new front of house for the campus.

Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said she was very pleased to see Stage Two fast-tracked, delivering more much needed health services sooner.

“We are using the COVID stimulus funding to get on with Stage Two while work is continuing on fi nalising Stage One of the redevelopment.

Th at means continuing construction jobs for locals and a huge boost to health outcomes for my communities,” Mrs Davies said.

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WESTERN Sydney University’s School of Business has been awarded the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation for its excellence in business education.

Th e AACSB accreditation is the longest-standing, most prestigious international accreditation for university business programs. Achieving the accreditation is the result of an extensive self-review and an international peer evaluation against rigorous criteria and standards of quality academic and professional excellence.

Th e University’s School of Business was commended for its work-integrated learning initiatives, its commitment to multi-disciplinary research to address contemporary social and economic challenges, and its enterprise and international engagement.

Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO, said the AACSB accreditation is an outstanding achievement for the School of Business, and off ered his congratulations to the School’s staff and students.

“Less than 6 per cent of business schools around the world are AACSB accredited, and the University is incredibly proud that our School of Business is counted amongst that prestigious group. Th is accreditation is testament to the School of Business’ commitment to delivering the highest quality

Barney Glover. business education for our students,” said Professor Glover. Professor Amir Mahmood, Dean of the School of Business, said the AACSB accreditation demonstrates the strength and connectedness of the School’s programs. “Th e accreditation represents the collective contributions of colleagues from across the School and our valued industry and community partners. Th e recognition also highlights the School’s commitment to highly engaged learning experiences and ongoing innovation,” said Professor Mahmood.

WSU Business School.

DR MICHELLE Cull (pictured), from the School of Business at Western Sydney University has been named as a winner in this year’s Western Sydney Women Awards.

Created by founder of Western Sydney Women, Amanda Rose, the Western Sydney Women awards are the only awards program representing women at all stages in their life, business & career across the Inner West, Greater West, Northwest and Southwest of Sydney.

Michelle said she was excited to be named a winner in the Educator of the Year category.

“It was exciting and humbling at the same time to hear that I was announced as the winner for my category. Th e award is recognition of many years of hard work involving fi nancial literacy education, fi nancial adviser education, research student supervision, mentorship, and partnering with industry to secure real-life business experiences for students,” she said.

“Th e awards have provided me an opportunity to meet and engage with many amazing women across Western Sydney which has enabled us to tap into one another’s networks, with some new collaborations already planned. I really admire the other women I have met in my category as well as other categories and what they have achieved.

“Th ese awards have provided a great opportunity to hear how other women are contributing to our Western Sydney community and to support and encourage one another, which can be empowering. Meeting these wonderful women and winning this award has inspired me to do so much more in our community.”

Artist impressions of the transformation.

MORE than 17,000 jobs are expected to be created with the proposed transformation of more than 850 hectares of land near Kemps Creek into a commercial industry hub, connected to the future Aerotropolis.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the fi nalisation of the Mamre Road Development Control Plan (DCP) includes signifi cant controls to preserve the local environment.

“Th ese planning controls provide businesses in Western Sydney with the opportunity to be thriving by the time the fi rst plane lands at Badgery’s Creek,” Mr Stokes said.

“We’ve also established targets that require 10 per cent tree canopy to be provided on each site, as well as limits on the amount of hard surfacing on individual lots, and guidelines to ensure South Creek remains protected.”

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the site would capitalise on its location near the future airport.

“Western Sydney is growing and we’re ensuring that there’s plenty of jobs for current and future residents to choose from,” Mr Ayres said.

“Th e site is ideally located to enable freight to be moved from Port Botany via the proposed Western Sydney Freight Line and transferred onto trucks that deliver to businesses in Western Sydney and the Aerotropolis.”

Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said the new precinct would establish an important link between Port Botany and the Aerotropolis.

“We’re thankful to the community for the feedback during the consultation and draft ing process, and we believe that together we’ve shaped a sustainable way for Western Sydney’s industrial sector to trade for decades to come,” Mrs Davies said.

“We already have 11 diff erent State Signifi cant Development Applications at various stages of the assessment process, for projects which bring jobs in industries such as warehousing and distribution, manufacturing and IT.”

Cyclists have the opportunity to contribute to the strategy.

THE National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is calling cyclists to have their say on a draft cycling strategy so national parks can provide some of the best cycling experiences anywhere in the country.

Environment Minister Matt Kean said with more and more people taking to two wheels and with investment in NPWS visitor infrastructure at record levels, our Parks network will become must-do destinations for riders of all ages.

“We are in the middle of a bike boom and there is now no bett er place to jump on two wheels than in our National Parks, it’s a great way to experience and see our natural biodiversity fi rsthand,” said Mr Kean.

“But the key is to make sure it’s sustainable and sensitive to the environment, we don’t want to see damage to our precious biodiversity and cultural heritage.

“Cyclists love the great outdoors and we want to work with them to incorporate their ideas on how to ‘tread’ lightly and move forward with this strategy.”

Th e NPWS is asking for feedback on a new cycling strategy that outlines how to balance the demand for a variety of cycling experiences with our responsibility to protect national parks’ natural and cultural values.

Not all cycling activities will be appropriate in all national parks, unauthorised tracks in parks can be dangerous and this draft strategy looks at how to manage illegal tracks to prevent further ecological or cultural damage.

As part of ongoing community consultation, NPWS is calling on cyclists, mountain biking associations and other interest groups to help shape the strategy and invites submissions before January 30, 2022.

Community consultation sessions will also be run with key stakeholders over the coming weeks.

New choppers for NPWS.

THE National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has welcomed the timely arrival of a new state-of-the-art helicopter to boost its capacity and help frontline firefighters prepare for and defend against bushfires.

Th e new Airbus H125 helicopter, with its customised avionics, winch, radios and other specialised operational and safety equipment, joins four similar machines operated by the NPWS air wing known as ParkAir.

Environment Minister Matt Kean said the $5.6M aircraft is yet another demonstration of the Government’s response to the NSW Bushfi re Inquiry by increasing NPWS’ capacity to manage hazard reduction activities and bushfi re response.

“We have increased the fi refi ghting capacity of NPWS to record levels and this aircraft will be critical in supporting those frontline NPWS staff to keep us safe and manage an ever-increasing Parks network,” Mr Kean said.

“It is critical NPWS has all of the tools it needs to adequately manage the parks estate and an elevated risk of bushfi re.”

NPWS recently recruited and trained an additional 125 frontline fi refi ghters, creating a dedicated Bushfi re Risk and Evaluation Unit and improved its fl eet safety with emergency defi brillators.

Th e helicopter will also be used to support hazard reduction burns, which, over the eight years prior to the 2019-20 fi res, NPWS conducted around 79 per cent of all hazard reduction burning in NSW, oft en in collaboration with the RFS and other agencies.

Other applications for this new helicopter include, pest management, baiting and weed spraying, wildlife surveys and observation and construction work.