Western Sydney University and Property Developer Stockland are trying to develop the University’s Werrington campuses in Western Sydney and it’s not good.

These lands should not be carved up for private profit and low-density residential development. 

I have visited Werrington and met with Traditional Custodians and members of the local community. When I was there I saw the stunning playful mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos that call the lands home and move across and between the northern and southern sites.

What’s clear on the ground is that this is a significant remaining area of habitat, open land and Country in a part of Western Sydney where decades of development have already fragmented the natural environment.

The development will impact critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland, endangered wetland vegetation, hollow-bearing trees and habitat for threatened species. The development will be the death knell for the much loved Werrington Eastern Grey Kangaroos.

Make a submission using our template, or if you can make a custom submission through the Department’s Planning Portal at this link. Please see below issues that should be outlined in your submission.

Guide for making a submission: 

Protect public land for public purpose

The Werrington lands were given to the University to provide tertiary education for the people of Western Sydney. Land secured for a public university should not now be treated as some private developer asset when it can continue providing education, research, environmental and community benefits.

Western Sydney is home to a large and growing population and continues to experience significant social and economic disadvantage. We should be expanding public institutions and opportunities in Western Sydney, not progressively selling off land that was dedicated to a beneficial public purpose.

Protect and regenerate Cumberland Plain habitat

The development will impact critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland, endangered Southern Lower Floodplain Freshwater Wetland and habitat for threatened species including the critically endangered Swift Parrot. It would also remove 16 hollow-bearing trees.

These environmental values need to be considered as part of a connected landscape. We can’t afford to lose more. Small conservation remnants left between houses, roads and other infrastructure will mean nature here will disappear forever. 

Protect Werrington’s kangaroos and wildlife corridors

A 2025 survey recorded 138 Eastern Grey Kangaroos across the Werrington campuses, with mobs using both the northern and southern sites and moving between them.

Their future cannot be dealt with after decisions have already been made about where housing and roads will go. The unacceptable truth is that the mobs of beautiful kangaroos will likely be culled if the development is given the go ahead.

Conservation land is not the same as public open space

Parks, playing fields, paths and recreation areas are important for communities, but they do not replace protected habitat.

While the development proposal combines parks, conservation areas and active transport links when describing its overall green-space outcome, these areas perform very different functions for wildlife and biodiversity and human wellbeing.

Reject sprawling low-density development

The development contemplates between 900 and 1,100 low-density detached homes, including lots as small as 125 and 200 square metres.

This is an unacceptably land-intensive way to provide housing on environmentally significant land.

Every hectare consumed by low-density subdivision is land that cannot remain habitat, be restored to Cumberland Plain vegetation, support mature tree canopy or form part of an ecological corridor.

If any residential development is ultimately permitted, conservation and restoration areas should be identified first and any housing should then be concentrated onto the smallest possible footprint through medium-density and apartment development.

Protect tree canopy and reduce urban heat

Western Sydney already experiences dangerous summer heat and Werrington has recorded some of the highest mean summer temperatures in the Penrith Local Government Area. Vegetated land and waterways provide measurable cooling benefits.

Very small residential lots also leave little room for the deep soil needed to grow large mature trees.

This development should be refused by the Department.  A better future for Werrington is possible and should be proposed.

Well located housing is essential, but it does not follow that every available parcel of land should be developed.

The Werrington land gives us an opportunity to protect and regenerate some of Western Sydney’s remaining Cumberland Plain environment while keeping land established for a public university working for the public.