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Bankstown Airport would be redeveloped into a mini-city of 30,000 homes under radical plans being explored by airport operator Aware Super, which has discussed the idea with relevant governments.
The proposal would involve extending the Bankstown metro line – which is due to open later this year – by at least one stop to service the area now occupied by the airport.
Some senior figures in the NSW government are aware of and actively supporting the idea. The government is looking for options for more housing density after its plan to convert the Rosehill Racecourse to a mini-city of 25,000 homes was scuttled by Australian Turf Club members last year.
The federal government, which owns the land, confirmed it was aware of the idea but played it down, stressing Bankstown Airport still plays an important role in aviation, and noting the current master plan does not allow residential development.
Two state government sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak freely, said they had seen an artist’s impression of the redeveloped site, although they would not provide the illustration, and neither would Aware Super.
Other sources outside government said they were aware of the idea, but were uncertain as to how advanced it was. No unsolicited proposal has been submitted to the state government.
Aware Super chief executive Deanne Stewart would not answer calls, but a spokeswoman did not deny the idea was being explored, and said the fund was committed to continuing the site’s development.
“As a global asset manager overseeing more than $220 billion on behalf of 1.2 million members, we continuously seek opportunities to unlock value across our portfolios for the benefit of members,” she said.
“We are committed to continuing the site’s development to support growth and deliver lasting economic and social benefits for tenants, the state economy and the local community.”
Aware Super owns Bankstown and Camden airports through its wholly owned subsidiary Aeria Management Group, which it acquired in 2015. Aeria owns the airports under a long-term lease from the Commonwealth.
“Our investment in Aeria Management Group has generated strong returns for our members, and we have no plans to transfer the lease or divest the asset,” the Aware Super spokeswoman said.
Aeria Management Group and its chief executive Tom Smith declined to comment.
Aware Super would also not confirm whether it had met with the federal MP for the area, frontbencher Tony Burke, to discuss the proposal. “All conversations are in our members’ best interests,” the spokeswoman said. Burke and his office declined to comment.
Even a large-scale residential project of 30,000 homes would not necessarily require the entire airport to be redeveloped. The airport’s total size exceeds 300 hectares, or five times the size of Rosehill Racecourse, which was slated for 25,000 homes under the Australian Turf Club’s now-extinguished plans.
The opening of Western Sydney Airport later this year potentially reduces the necessity of Bankstown Airport, according to proponents of the proposal, by providing an alternative location for charter flights, emergency services, flight training and the other predominant uses of Bankstown.
However, moving emergency service flights – which need to operate at a moment’s notice – to Western Sydney Airport could impact commercial and freight operation flight paths and schedules. Moving operations outside the metropolitan area would also prolong emergency response times.
Rezoning the airport would require federal government support. A spokesman for federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King indicated the Albanese government was against the proposal.
“The minister’s department meets regularly with stakeholders regarding major airport developments at leased federal airports,” the spokesman said.
“The government is aware of the idea, but no changes are currently being considered to the usage of the Bankstown Airport site.
“Bankstown Airport plays an important role in facilitating light aircraft movements, air ambulance services and pilot training.”
The spokesperson said any development at the site would need to accord with the existing master plan, which does not allow for residential redevelopment.
Even a future master plan “would need to satisfy a wide range of matters” set out in the Airport Act 1996, they said, and would be subject to the federal minister’s approval.
The minister must consider the extent to which that plan “would meet the current and future requirements of civil aviation users of the airport, including general aviation users”.
It is not clear whether some level of airport operations and residential housing could co-exist on the land. The south-west corner of the site – about 40 hectares – is occupied by industry, retail and a go-karting track.
A mini-city at Bankstown Airport would probably require extending the metro line – due to open this year – from Bankstown by about four kilometres.
The Minns Labor government came to office saying it would not to proceed with plans for an extension of that line from Bankstown all the way to Glenfield.
However, a new station funded by the airport owner would render the idea attractive to the NSW treasury.
Aware Super and the NSW government have a long history. The fund was previously First State Super, which provided superannuation benefits for NSW government employees.
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