Orchard Hills Aerotropolis Metro Precinct Goes Public

The next Sydney Metro town is on the runway with the proposed planning and rezoning for the Orchard Hills Station precinct now open for comment.

The station is the second-last stop on the northern line to and from the Western Sydney International airport.

Both are due to open in 2026 and are included in the NSW Government’s station-side rezoning spree. 

Although smaller than the Bradfield major city-sized plans, under the proposal so-called “signature buildings” could reach up to 22-storeys at Orchard Hills.

The proposed planning controls feature a mixed-use town centre around the station, two neighbourhood centres and employment areas along the M4 Motorway.

There is also R4 high-density residential slated for within 800m of the station and 400m from the neighbourhood centres. 

Higher-density homes are planned for throughout the precinct, a big change from the rural pastures there today, some of which have already been snapped up by developers.

While backyards would be a thing of the past in the central area, there are a parks and recreational spaces covering around 50ha included.

Precinct planning had been in the works since 2022 and final rezoning is expected next year.

Orchard Hills was identified as a precinct suitable for state-led rezoning under the existing Greater Penrith to Eastern Creek [GPEC] strategic planning framework and the $73.5-million Rezone and Build initiative. 

NSW planning minister Paul Scully said the proposal was about meeting the National Housing Accord Target of 377,000 homes by 2029.

“We stand ready to capitalise on the development opportunities that the new Sydney Metro—Western Sydney Airport line, Western Sydney International Airport and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis will bring for communities like Orchard Hills,” Scully said.

“We are also seeking to provide certainty for current landowners over the future intent of the other stages of the Orchard Hills precinct.

▲ Sydney Metro new and future lines will create development opportunities down the track.

“We are now looking to create accessible, well-located housing in Orchard Hills. These future homes will be close to transport, schools and public spaces with opportunities for new cycleways and walkways to improve connectivity.”

There were rezoning proposals around Sydney Metro stations across the city and Canterbury-Bankstown was expected to be the first to move ahead.

Its Transport Orientated Development masterplan pushed the state’s localised 12,500 target up by 3200 homes as the population is expected to triple by 2036.