Stockland Recasts University Land as $1.9bn Sydney Suburb

It provides for 900 low and 100 medium-density homes, and 500 apartments, with buildings from two to seven storeys.

Hassell prepared the masterplan, which includes about 12,000sq m of retail, commercial and community floorspace.

The project is forecast to accommodate about 3930 residents and generate 1070 direct ongoing jobs, plus another 801 indirectly across the broader economy.

Construction would span an estimated seven years and support 381 direct and 539 indirect jobs at its peak.

▲ A concept rendering shows Stockland and Western Sydney University’s vision for the proposed Werrington precinct.

The rezoning represents a marked shift for land zoned for enterprise development since 2017.

Project documents argued the business park failed to attract investment after the Sydney Metro-Western Sydney Airport alignment moved east and omitted a station near Werrington.

They also cite Penrith’s Employment Lands Strategy, which identified theoretical capacity for 6000 jobs across the precinct.

An earlier state pre-exhibition listing said the redevelopment could enable up to 2000 homes, 500 more than the exhibited scheme.

Of the current yield, about 45 homes—or 3 per cent—are earmarked as affordable rentals in perpetuity.

Delivery is anticipated during stage three, mainly around the town centre, with the homes to be managed by a community housing provider.

But the exhibited documents allow viability testing to determine whether an equivalent monetary contribution could replace on-site delivery.

Plans identify 18.4ha of public open space, although 5.4ha comprises two proposed sports fields at Western Sydney University’s separate Kingswood campus.

▲ An aerial plan shows the proposed Werrington North and South precincts on either side of the Great Western Highway.

About 13ha would be delivered at Werrington.

Conservation land would increase from 10.2ha to 12.5ha, while a 3ha investigation site has been reserved for a primary school accommodating up to 1000 students.

If education authorities decide a school is unnecessary, the land could instead carry low and medium-density housing.

Heritage-listed Frogmore House would be retained and potentially adapted as a community facility.

NSW planning minister Paul Scully said the proposal would make “better use of well-located land” and could create “a new mixed-use neighbourhood with housing, open space, shops and community facilities”.

Deputy Premier Prue Car said housing needed to be delivered “alongside local infrastructure” as Western Sydney grows.

▲ An concept rendering shows the proposed Werrington precinct with tree-lined streets, low-rise housing and landscaped public spaces.

The surrounding estate has previously accommodated vineyards, bloodstock, a golf course, motorcycle racing and an airstrip.

It later became a government-run residential home for boys with intellectual disability before entering university use in 1989.

Surveys undertaken in August, 2025 to inform future kangaroo management recorded up to 138 eastern grey kangaroos across the Werrington North and South campuses, according to a scoping document prepared by AMBS Ecology & Heritage.

Retention, translocation, fertility control and humane culling are among options under investigation.