Fairfield Rural Lands Urban Investigation Area

The future of Fairfield’s rural lands in Horsley Park and Cecil Park has been affected by the Federal Government's decision to proceed with the Western Sydney International airport at Badgerys Creek and the NSW State Government's planning for expansion of the Western Sydney Employment Lands (including proposed arterial roads through the area).

Following the designation of the Fairfield rural lands as an Urban Investigation Area under the Greater Sydney Region Plan and the Western City District Plan in 2018, Council engaged consultants to undertake a land capability study and identify a number of options for future development. 

The options for the future development of Horsley Park and Cecil Park were publicly exhibited between 9 November 2018 to 8 February 2019. Council on 9 April 2019 considered submissions from the community and resolved to endorse a proposed preferred Structure Plan.

Council has now received feedback from the NSW Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) and State agencies highlighting the need for further detailed investigations into a range of infrastructure, environmental and transport planning issues.

The investigation work will be coordinated by a steering committee chaired by the Greater Sydney Commission. Council is seeking funding support from the State Government to further progress planning for the Fairfield Rural Lands Urban Investigation Area.

Planning rules introduced by the NSW State Government under State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) – Western Sydney Aerotropolis includes new restrictions for ‘noise sensitive development’ (including residential development) located under areas of Horsley Park affect by the 20-25 Australian Noise Exposure Concept (ANEC) footprint of the  Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek as well as aircraft noise insulation requirements (commencing in April 2021) for future residential development located within 13km of the airport.

• Urban Capability Assessment Report(PDF, 13MB) 
• Draft Structure Plan Report(PDF, 20MB)
• Draft Structure Plan Options (A,B,C)(PDF, 4MB)
• Draft Structure Plan Options (A,B,C) - Pamphlet(PDF, 12MB) 
• Draft Structure Plan Options (D,E)(PDF, 2MB)
• Sydney Water Memo(PDF, 3MB) 
• Submission Document(PDF, 334KB) 
• Preferred Draft Structure Plan - Adopted 23 April 2019(PDF, 1MB)

Council has now received feedback from the NSW Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) and State agencies that can be viewed under the following link:

• Greater Sydney Commission(PDF, 1MB)
• Sydney Water(PDF, 732KB)
• Transport For NSW(PDF, 425KB) 

Greater Sydney Commission and State Agencies Comments 

The feedback from the Greater Sydney Commission and State agencies highlights the need for further detailed investigations into a range of infrastructure, environmental and transport planning issues relevant to the Urban Investigation Area. 

The work required to address the issues raised by the Greater Sydney Commission and State agencies will be coordinated by a steering committee chaired by the Greater Sydney Commission.  It will also require considerable financial resources.  In this regard, Council is seeking funding support from the State Government through the steering committee to further progress structure and master planning for the Urban Investigation Area.

Council will continue to advocate to the Federal and State governments for 1-acre subdivision to be permissible in the area of Horsley Park affected by the 20-25 Aircraft Noise Exposure Contour (ANEC) associated with the Western Sydney Airport. 

Council will also keep the community updated on further progress (including the timing of the next stages) in the structure and master planning as information becomes available.

Please contact Council’s Customer Service Team on 9725 0222 for more information.

Council at its meeting of the 9 April 2019 considered submissions from the community and Council officer’s recommendations regarding the draft Structure Plan Options for the Fairfield Rural Lands Urban Investigation Area (covering the suburbs of Horsley Park and Cecil Park).
Council subsequently resolved to endorse a proposed preferred Structure Plan for the Rural Lands UIA that can be viewed under the following link:

Preferred Draft Structure Plan(PDF, 1MB)

A copy of the Council officers' report can also be viewed on Council website by clicking on the following link – April Outcomes Committee 2019.

State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) – Western Sydney Aerotropolis (WSA) came into force on 1 October 2020.

Planning rules introduced by the NSW State Government under SEPP WSA includes new restrictions for ‘noise sensitive development’ (including residential development) located under areas of Horsley Park affect by the 20-25 Australian Noise Exposure Concept (ANEC) footprint of the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek as well as aircraft noise insulation requirements (commencing in April 2021) for future residential development located within 13km of the airport.

For properties in Horsley Park affected by Australian Noise Exposure Concept (ANEC) 20-25 contours of the Western Sydney Airport.

• Applications for the construction of a dwelling on a vacant parcel of land can only be accepted if the parcel already existed (was part of an approved subdivision) before 1 October 2020 or a development application for construction of a dwelling had been submitted to Council prior to 1 October 2020.
• ‘Noise sensitive development’, including residential accommodation (dwellings, secondary dwellings and dual occupancy) and other categories (child care centres, schools, places of worship and hospitals) are prohibited after 1 October 2020 subject to concessions listed under the previous dot point.

Properties affected by the Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) from 26 April 2021 will require the following insulation measures for new residential development (including alterations to an existing house):

• preparation of an acoustic report by a qualified consultant
• compliance with the indoor design sound levels in Australian Standard 2021:2015 Acoustics – Aircraft Noise Intrusion – Building Siting and Construction.

Development applications within 13km of the WSA that have the potential to create ‘wildlife hazards’ (eg. attract large gatherings of bird life) will need concurrence from Federal agencies.

For more information, contact Council’s Customer Service Team on 02 9725 0222.