The new business hub will help to protect the 5820-hectare parklands by supporting the environmental improvements in the parklands.
Construction could start as early as December 2016 and will create about 500 building jobs.
Once established, revenue created by the $129 million hub will be put back into the parklands and help fund enhancements and rehabilitation to damaged parts of the area.
NSW Environment Minister Mark Speakman said: “This is a responsible way to provide the funding needed to protect and enhance the park, with the business hub creating a sustainable long-term income for Western Sydney Parklands that can be reinvested to improve this fantastic Western Sydney asset.”
Environment Minister Mark Speakman said conservation works in the parklands would be supported by the hub.
“Funding will be guaranteed for the rehabilitation of damaged parkland, improvement of the parkland amenities and nature conservation programs, all at no cost to the community,” Mr Speakman said.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes said the development would bring economic, social and environmental benefits to the community.
“We know this large format retail and bulky goods retail is something that is in short supply here in the Blacktown local government area,” Mr Stokes said.
Minister Rob Stokes said the development consent allows for convenience retail, bulky goods and large format retail uses on a 15.77-hectare site, which will in turn provide the ongoing funding for improvements to the parklands.
“The people of western Sydney will also benefit from the convenience and improved choice provided by the new shopping outlets that will open at the business hub.”
Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali said he was concerned nearby businesses would suffer.
“(The hub) comes at the cost of local businesses in Rooty Hill, Prospect and Minchinbury,” Cr Bali said. “All the struggling businesses there will close down because everyone will go to a bright shiny new one.”
Cr Bali said Blacktown Council had submitted a proposal to the State Government over this issue eight months ago but had heard no response.
It is anticipated that the $129 million business hub could support around 1,000 permanent full and part time retail jobs and create around 500 construction jobs.
Business hubs fulfil two of the Parklands community obligations: ensuring the long term and sustainable future for the Parklands and to generate high quality jobs in Western Sydney.
The areas identified for business bubs are in harmony with their surrounding area. The Fairfield site is vacant land and would be a small extension of the Wetherill Park/Smithfield industrial area.
For more information: visit the Western Sydney Parklands website.
