Liverpool Council applauds Aerotropolis vision

Liverpool City Council has welcomed the commitment of four Australian universities to develop a world-leading Aerospace, Engineering and Science Innovation Hub in the Badgerys Creek Aerotropolis.

“This is wonderful news for Liverpool and confirms our place as a learning city that is growing as fast as the ambitions of its residents,” said Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller.

“We have opened major city campuses of both the University of Wollongong and Western Sydney University in the past two years. The University of NSW has been part of our city for 25 years.

“Now, those three universities – and the University of Newcastle – are going to work together to create a new higher education centre able to capture the tremendous interest in science, engineering and aviation generated by the new Western Sydney Airport.”

An artist's impression of how the new Aerotropolis would look.

The four universities, who will also seek formal ties with global researchers and universities, have signed a Statement of Intent with the NSW Government.

“This sort of commitment in science, aviation and aerospace has the potential to transform our region,” Mayor Waller said.

“With Local, State and Federal Governments working together – and working with leading universities and major global companies – we can create a world-class economic precinct in the Aerotropolis.”

Mayor Waller said today’s announcement perfectly matched Council’s own vision for the future of education in the city.

“We know our residents are already desperate to gain qualifications. We now have nearly 10,000 university students – an increase of 42 per cent in the past five years,” Mayor Waller said.

“But we know that’s just the start. A young student from South West Sydney who is keen on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) has this moment in history on their side.

“We’ve met many of these students and we’ve listened to their dreams to become astronauts, physicists, astronomers and pilots.

“They are looking to the skies, but now the chance to get there starts in their own backyard.”

Council this month hosted an information session for 15 students from four South West Sydney schools – Amity College, John Edmondson College, Moorebank High and Cabramatta High – who are about to take part in the US Space Academy and Field Studies tour.

Students heard from Council’s Manager, Aerotropolis Bruce Macnee about Aerotropolis employment opportunities and from WSA Co expert Stevan Sipka about the future of long-range flight.

The students will soon embark on a 17-day space tour of the US including the US Space and Rocket Centre in Alabama, the California Science Centre, Washington Smithsonian Museums and USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

“I’m proud that they will be representing us,” Mayor Waller said. “I’m also looking forward to hearing from them when they get back and working with them as the Aerotropolis takes shape.”