From quarry to community: ten years and counting

Just over ten years ago, more than 130 years of quarrying came to an end at what is now Western Sydney Lakes. For generations, this site quarried around 160 million tonnes of sand and gravel for the construction industry and supplied much of Sydney’s concrete, fuelling growth across the city. At its peak, the site supplied a substantial amount of Sydney’s housing market.

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The materials from this site helped shape the city itself, providing the foundations for the M4 and M7 motorways and Sydney 2000 Olympic venues, in particular the Sydney International Regatta Centre and Penrith Whitewater Stadium, which were built on the previously quarried land. This was the last large quarry of its type within the Sydney basin.

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Since then, the rehabilitation progress has been remarkable. Through an investment of just under half a billion dollars, what was once an industrial quarry has transformed into thriving lakes, restored ecosystems and welcoming spaces like Penrith Beach and a dedicated wildlife lake. This is significant progress against one of the objectives that Western Sydney Lakes constructed as part of the recreational and urban rehabilitation requirement.

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During ongoing rehabilitation, the site of Western Sydney Lakes has made itself home to a variety of native Australian flora and fauna including over 220,000 native trees. The revitalised land has created a place for local and native species to flourish.

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Plans are underway to bring new tourism, entertainment, recreational, employment and urban development opportunities to life in this space – ensuring Western Sydney Lakes continues to evolve as a place where water, land, and community come together in harmony.

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While the past decade has seen significant progress, the work is far from finished. Rehabilitation across the site will continue for another ten years, gradually restoring more of the landscape and unlocking new spaces for future opportunities.

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From industrial beginnings has grown a place where water, land and community come together in harmony. Western Sydney Lakes is entering an exciting new chapter, with even more opportunities ahead to create a destination that’s different, by nature.

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Discover our vision for the future of Western Sydney Lakes here.