Sydney’s Newest Urban Sprawl

Sydney, Australia, May 15, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Land release in Sydney’s South West is causing a development boom in the area, as suburbs such as Gregory Hills undergo a transformation from a rural/industrial landscape to an urban sprawl.

The projected population growth of Sydney’s South West Growth Centre is estimated to reach 300,000 in the next 25 years. Compared to the lower average population growth rate for Sydney, the South West Corridor’s rapid growth will drive the viability of further staged developments in the area.

Developers are jumping at the chance to secure sturdy investments in the region, and the first to spring out from the ground is a 40ha mixed-use centre called Central Hills Business Park.

Private developer Dart West purchased parcels of the site over several years, and has appointed Colliers International as retail and industrial consultants and leasing/sales agents.

Located on Camden Valley Way, Gregory Hills will comprise up to 24,400 residential dwellings, commercial business space, bulky goods retail, entertainment/hospitality and high-tech and general industrial space.

A flexible planning framework is underway by Colliers International, to accommodate lot sizes from 2000-40,000 sqm.

Central Hills Business Park will be a strategic mixed-use development situated between the centres of Camden and Campbelltown. Upon completion, the centre will provide 65,000 sqm of retail and bulky goods space and 120,000 sqm of industrial.

This development will have access to key motorways – the M5 and M7 – while also benefiting from the future upgrade of Camden Valley Way. Further infrastructure development will improve amenity to the region which is one of the major growth corridors of in the metropolitan fringe of Sydney.

Gavin Bishop, Director of Industrial at Colliers International, said it will be the first employment project to come to life in the South West Growth Centre and he has received several major enquiries.

“Given the current market we’re very happy with the level of enquiry we’ve received. It has ranged from larger owner-occupiers and tenants looking for land up to 8 hectare, data centre companies and local businesses.

“They all see the opportunity to secure long-term investments in a high growth area and with the recent release of residential land in Harrington Grove and Oran Park right next door, which will include 2000 home sites over the next few years; it will be a large employment generator.”

Mr Bishop is in the process of finalising a major pre-lease deal for 42,000 sqm on the 20 ha industrial space.

Kevin James, Director of Retail at Colliers International, said Central Hills Business Park is designed with a complete work-life balance.

“What’s great about this development is that it will include everything people need to live and work in an integrated community.

“Central Hills will offer everything from restaurants, cafes and bars, to child care, education facilities and even function centres,” said Mr James.

“It offers the widest ever range of potential uses seen together in a single development in Australia.”

Plans are already in place for a 15,000 sqm shopping centre, and Mr James said he has received strong interest from highway retail businesses including liquor stores, fast food chains and service stations.

The site is currently being serviced with all infrastructure to be in place by mid-2010, and construction will commence by late 2009, expected to be completed in the next five years.

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