Westmead health and education precinct
As outlined in A Metropolis of Three Cities, the evolution of health and education precincts follow a Maturity Pathway. As precincts evolve, the economic productivity of the precinct increases substantially. This corresponds to three general models, which become progressively more complex: Clusters, Precincts and Innovation Districts (refer to Figure 17).
The Blacktown health and education precinct is at the Cluster stage, while the Westmead health and education precinct has the potential to become an Innovation District. Each tailored response to progress along the Maturity Pathway based on what is already in place and what is required in the short, medium and long term. While these precincts have attributes that could be developed to become internationally competitive and achieve sufficient critical mass, it is not expected that all precincts should, or will, develop into an Innovation District.
Westmead is one of the largest integrated health, research, education and training precincts in Australia and provides health services to almost 10 per cent of Australia’s population. By 2026, it will have over 2.8 million outpatient visits and over 160,000 emergency department presentations every year12.
Westmead is already a major contributor to the Australian Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda through its training of world-leading scientists, analysis and successful collaborations.
The Westmead Redevelopment Project is a major initiative of the NSW Government, led by NSW Health, the Western Sydney Local Health District and the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. The redevelopment aims to transform Westmead into a world-class health city.
The $900 million project and expansion of the University of Sydney and Western Sydney University Westmead campuses will increase Westmead’s workforce from 18,000 to 32,000 by 2036. With additional investment, Westmead has the potential to provide 50,000 jobs. The number of students is expected to grow from 2,000 to 9,000 by 203613.
Key stakeholders in the development of the precinct include government, academia and industry.
Through the GPOP growth infrastructure compact pilot (refer to Planning Priority C8), the Commission will work closely with stakeholders and will have an active role in coordinating the planning and delivery of infrastructure to improve public transport connections and the road network; attract jobs; plan for new or improved schools and community facilities; and improve open spaces, public areas, walking and cycling links.