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I don't mean to upset anyone tooooooooooo much, but have a look at this.

Bankstown is the ‘hidden jewel’ of Sydney

Urban planning thinktank Future Cities Collaborative says Bankstown is the ‘hidden jewel’ of Sydney

October 13, 2015 12:00am
James BeechCanterbury-Bankstown Express
Bankstown is the hidden jewel of Sydney, according to Professor Edward Blakely from urban planning thinktank Future Cities Collaborative.

ONE of the world’s leading thinkers on urban planning says Bankstown is the “hidden gem” of Sydney.

Professor Edward Blakely from Future Cities Collaborative will help Bankstown Council on how it delivers its Local Area Plan.

The plan outlines how Bankstown will accommodate an extra 30,000 residents over the next 15 years.

Future Cities Collaborative aims to help leaders build sustainable cities.

Prof Blakely told The Express the Bankstown line being part of the Metro project would mean more businesses relocating to the area.

Sydney Metro City and Southwest, a new 30km line between Metro Northwest, Chatswood, under Sydney Harbour, through the CBD and south west to Bankstown, is due to open in 2024.

“(The Metro) will mean Bankstown connections to the city, which means some employers are going to say, if my people are living in the Bankstown-Liverpool area, why don’t I move my business there,” he said.

“I think this is a great opportunity for Bankstown.”

Bankstown Airport was described as an asset for the city by Prof Blakely. Picture: Nathan Edwards
Prof Blakely said Bankstown also had the advantage of having an airport.
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Manufacturing and distribution firms were also in Bankstown’s favour compared with the rest of Sydney while the Georges River was an asset “the city turned its back on.”
An artist's impression of the proposed Bankstown Business Estate, on Bankstown Airport land, to open in 2017.
Prof Blakely said Paul Keating Park and Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre were “outstanding” and Bankstown Arts Centre was “a lovely space”.
But how would people new to Bankstown know there was an arts centre around the corner, or that walking down Saigon Place would lead to food courts and side alleys, he asked.
The Georges River is underused by Bankstown, Prof Blakely said. Picture: Damian Shaw
“I call Bankstown a hidden jewel. It’s one of the competitor locations with Liverpool and Parramatta, Campbelltown and Penrith,” he said. “These are the places that, if they don’t perform well, Sydney cannot be a global city.”
Future Cities Collaborative founder and chairman Prof Blakely at work.

A Bankstown Council spokeswoman said the council had already widely consulted with residents about the plan. “We are now engaging with Prof Blakely to learn from international best practice on planning to meet the future needs of local communities,” the spokeswoman said.