More than 300 leaders from government, property, infrastructure, investment and business gathered in Penrith last week for the Western Sydney Property & Infrastructure Forum, sending a clear message: Western Sydney’s moment is no longer coming… it’s here.

Held on 30 April 2026 at the Western Sydney Convention Centre, the forum brought together developers, investors, council planners and senior government representatives to examine what’s required to fully capitalise on Western Sydney’s growth, and what risks remain if delivery doesn’t keep pace with ambition.

Presented by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) NSW, sponsored by Penrith City Council and Cameron Brae Group, and supported by the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, the event reinforced the Chamber’s commitment to ensuring local business remains part of the conversations shaping the region’s future.

Infrastructure Is the Opportunity, Delivery Is the Challenge

The dominant theme throughout the day was clear: the scale of opportunity in Western Sydney is unprecedented, but success hinges on infrastructure being delivered ahead of growth, not after it.

Opening the forum, Simon Hickey, CEO of Western Sydney International Airport, confirmed that after decades of planning and anticipation, the airport is now ready to open.

“After decades of discussion, Western Sydney Airport is now a reality - and we’re ready to go,” Hickey said.

“Western Sydney is already the third‑largest economy in Australia. The demand for this airport is real, and it will grow with the region.”

The coming online of the airport set the tone for a forward‑looking program, with speakers repeatedly stressing that Western Sydney cannot afford infrastructure to lag behind population growth and development.

Penrith’s Position: A Once‑in‑a‑Generation Opportunity

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney reinforced the significance of the moment, highlighting Penrith’s role as the closest major centre to the new airport.

“The airport is not just infrastructure, it’s a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to reshape Western Sydney,” Mayor Carney said.

“We need infrastructure to lead growth, not chase it. That’s how we build liveable communities.”

His address underscored why Penrith sits at the centre of so many strategic discussions around transport, housing, employment and amenity and why decisions made now will shape the region for decades to come.

Housing Supply: Feasibility as the Key Constraint

From a market perspective, Andrew Ballantyne of JLL provided a candid assessment of the housing challenge facing Western Sydney.

Despite strong long‑term demand fundamentals, Ballantyne identified feasibility as the critical barrier to housing delivery at scale. Rising construction costs, development contributions, labour shortages and interest rate pressures are collectively constraining supply.

“Western Sydney has one of the strongest long‑term growth stories in the country,” Ballantyne said.

“But feasibility is the constraint we must solve.”

The message resonated strongly with industry attendees, reinforcing the need for coordinated policy responses if housing delivery is to match population growth.

St Marys: From Vision to Delivery

One of the most compelling presentations of the day came from Kylie Powell, Deputy General Manager of Penrith City Council, who outlined the transformation underway at St Marys.

Positioned as a key interchange on the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport line, St Marys is set to become a major connected centre and Powell made it clear that planning is now firmly in the delivery phase.

“St Marys’ time is now. We’ve moved from vision to a complete, deliverable plan that gives certainty to both community and industry,” Powell said.

“This isn’t just growth, it’s about creating a connected, authentic centre with jobs, housing and real amenity from day one.”

The presentation highlighted how infrastructure investment, land‑use planning and place‑making can come together to create genuine, liveable centres (not just development outcomes).

Why This Matters for the Business Community

For the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, supporting the forum was a natural extension of its advocacy role, ensuring the voices of local business are heard alongside those of government and major industry players.

Richard Fox, President of the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the forum was a powerful reminder of the momentum building across the region.

“Today was a reminder of just how much momentum is building in our region,” Fox said.

“For the business community in Penrith and Western Sydney, understanding the infrastructure and development pipeline isn’t optional, it’s essential.”

Infrastructure decisions shape workforce access, customer movement, investment confidence and long‑term business resilience. Events like this ensure local businesses are not just observers of change, but informed participants in it.

A Region at a Pivotal Moment

The Western Sydney Property & Infrastructure Forum made one thing abundantly clear: Western Sydney has reached a pivotal point.

The airport is imminent. Major transport links are progressing. Centres like Penrith and St Marys are transitioning from plans on paper to places on the ground. But with opportunity comes responsibility - to coordinate, to deliver, and to ensure growth translates into liveability and economic opportunity for the entire community.

The Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce will continue to advocate for infrastructure‑led growth, housing feasibility, and business inclusion, ensuring the region’s extraordinary potential is fully realised.