Wollondilly Shire Council’s endorsement of additional sites in its Employment Land Strategy will pave the way for more local jobs for Wollondilly.

At last week’s meeting, Council adopted an addendum to the Employment Land Strategy 2021 to include additional sites at The Oaks Airport and the land between Bargo River Bridge Tahmoor and Wellers Road at Bargo.

Land at Moreton Park Road has been identified as a long-term employment area that is not a priority within the current Employment Land Strategy, but will be considered when enabling infrastructure is funded by the State Government.

Acting Mayor Matthew Deeth said, “Council is keen to see more local jobs for local people, to reduce the number commuting to neighbouring local government areas or to Sydney every day for work.”

“Opening up additional sites through the Employment Land Strategy will provide options for a diverse range of businesses and will potentially create attractive employment opportunities for our residents.”

“These additional sites of interest will be investigated for their viability in supporting employment related growth across the Shire, and the community will have their chance to provide feedback during the rezoning process.”

“Council will be lobbying the State Government for the necessary infrastructure needed to activate all of the sites in the Strategy.”

The land in the vicinity of the Bargo River Bridge near Tahmoor to Wellers Road in Bargo was noted as a possible future employment investigation area, following the closure and resolution of all outstanding mining matters and servicing issues.

Land in the vicinity of The Oaks airport site would be included in the Strategy to support the ongoing use of the site for aviation purposes.

Council decided that any future rezoning at the Moreton Park Road site should be dependent on the fully funded delivery of the Outer Sydney Orbital corridor from Appin to Western Sydney Airport, and that employment lands should be serviced by new or upgraded connections to the regional road network and not serviced by existing bridges.

Council has called on a fully funded infrastructure phasing and implantation plan to be provided by the State Government.

Council has reminded the community that any land named in the Strategy will still need to meet the State Government criteria and be assessed on its merits.