One-time rural community primed for development boom as population grows

One of western Sydney's fastest-growing suburban populations is set to reap the benefits of rapid development, with applications for a brand new shopping centre and multi-million dollar pub at Austral, near Liverpool, both submitted in recent weeks.

A once 'rural' suburb featuring large tracts of agricultural land, the population of Austral has more than doubled in the last five years, with up to 17,350 new homes earmarked for construction in the years to come.

The area was re-zoned by the NSW Government years ago as part of plans to establish a new precinct in the area in anticipation of the completion of Western Sydney Airport, which will be less than 10km from the growing community.

Established in 1891, the area got its name after being purchased by Austral Banking and Land Proprietary. The region is bordered by a number of communities like Kemps Creek and Rossmore which were also largely rural before land acquisition in anticipation of the airport's arrival.

Those plans include a town centre, light industrial area, conservation spaces and sports ground, with plans for an indoor sports and aquatic centre, as shown in the map below.

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