The City of Canterbury Bankstown’s bold vision for Bankstown and Campsie town centres has been recognised by the Greater Sydney Commission and Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.

Last month, the Bankstown and Campsie master plans won the “Planning for jobs and skills” category of the Greater Sydney Commission’s 2021 Greater Sydney Planning Awards.

Council’s joint submission with Western Sydney University and Walker Corporation on the new Bankstown Campus was also received a commendation in the same category.

The Panel applauded Council’s “inclusive and thorough approach – acknowledging that planning for jobs involves more than just the rezoning of land”.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said it was fantastic to see Council’s vision for the future being recognised.

“A multi-level university, a new billion-dollar hospital, a new rail metro and town centres undergoing major facelifts, these are just some of the exciting changes outlined in the plans,” Mayor Asfour said.

“The Master Plans were backed by comprehensive engagement with community and stakeholders, and was underpinned by both a new Economic Development Strategy and Night-time Economy Action Plan.

“These plans will deliver a mix of initiatives that will drastically enhance business attraction and provide public, arts and cultural spaces for our community to enjoy.”

The vision and directions of the master plans set a bold ambition for both centres to deliver:

• A diversity of jobs;
• Capitalise on quick access to Sydney;
• Sustainable and well-designed buildings;
• Affordable homes;
• Places people feel able and welcome to walk around in and enjoy; and
• A great place to live, work, learn and invest.

Council’s Paul Keating Park master plan also won the “NSW Landscape Architecture Award for Landscape Planning” at the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects 2021 national awards program.

The plan was recognised for delivering a strategic response to Bankstown CBD’s rapid growth over the next 20 years, offering a revitalised green space that unites existing and proposed public amenity and infrastructure.