News

AS INFRASTRUCTURE AND INVESTMENT BOOMS Quest confi rms Blacktown hotel

GLOBAL operator Quest Apartment Hotels has announced a new hotel in the Blacktown CBD, as part of the significant private sector investment in the Blacktown’s infrastructure.

Quest Blacktown at 26 Second Avenue is well underway as part of a $30M mixeduse development by Gitane Living.

The 82-room hotel will occupy the 11 upper fl oors in the new 23 level mixed-use development, which will also include a retail zone as well as private residences.

Quest’s general manager of growth and capital strategy, James Shields, says the announcement comes at a time when Blacktown City is enjoying strong economic advancement, where the population is tipped to exceed that of Tasmania in the next 10 years, and annual economic activity surpassing $26B.

“Blacktown Local Government Area is currently home to over 23,000 local businesses and is poised for considerable growth in the coming years, with a number of major infrastructure, productivity, and liveability projects underway”, said Shields.

“Blacktown City Council has adopted a balanced budget of $656M for the 2021/22 fi nancial year, including a major capital works program of more than $150M.

“Traditionally underpinned by industrial employment in manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors, the Blacktown area is transitioning, and we anticipate that the demand for quality corporate travel accommodation in the area will continue to increase.

Artist impressions of the new Quest Blacktown.

“It’s understood there will be an increase in knowledge-intensive and population-serving jobs, especially in the health and education sectors, and Quest will be well placed to sustain the long and short stay travel requirements emerging”, said Shields.

It’s a sentiment echoed by Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM, who says the new hotel is an important piece of the puzzle in helping the area meet its full potential.

“Blacktown is undergoing a signifi cant transformation with the establishment of the Australian Catholic University campus in the CBD and Council’s own $80M redevelopment precinct, with an underground carpark, park, retail plaza and fl anking buildings in the City Centre.

“Quest Blacktown is part of $600M worth of development that’s currently underway or planned for area just to the north of Blacktown railway station.

“Council welcomes Quest Blacktown to our CBD as part of our commitment to transform Blacktown into a modern, vibrant city where people can live, work, gain the highest education and relax in a sustainable environment, “Mayor Bleasdale said.

The basement levels of the development are complete, with the ground fl oor currently underway.

Quest Blacktown is expected to open during the fi rst half of 2023.

GREAT NEWS FOR MOTORISTS Upgrade for Prospect Highway

 TRANSPORT | DALLS SHERRINGHM

THE troublesome Prospect Highway is set for a $280M upgrade that will improve safety and travel times in Greater Blacktown and Western Sydney.

The blackspot has been given the green light thanks to a joint funding commitment from the Australian and NSWs governments.

Work will start early next year on the 3.6km stretch of highway, after the contract was awarded to Fulton Hogan.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the project would deliver improvements to travel times and safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The Federal Government is funding the delivery of important road projects across Australia that improve congestion and safety including upgrading the Prospect Highway, which will make it easier for commuters to move around western Sydney,” Minister Fletcher said.

“This project is one of many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding as part of our record $110B, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive Australia’s economic recovery.”

The Prospect Highway will become a divided road with two lanes in each direction between Reservoir Rd at Prospect and St Martins Cr at Blacktown, with the section north of Lancelot St to be upgraded to a six-lane divided road, inclusive of two dedicated bus lanes.

State Minister for Transport and Roads Rob Stokes MP said the upgrade would improve access for local and through traffi c, while cutting travel times and reducing congestion between Blacktown and the M4.

Delivering on promises

“The NSW Government is committed to delivering on its promise to upgrade the Prospect Highway between Blacktown and Prospect, and is working with the Federal Government on delivering this critical road for Western Sydney,” Mr Stokes said.

“We’ll also be building new bridges over the M4 and Great Western Highway, a pedestrian underpass between Blacktown Rd and Harrod St, and a new road connecting the Great Western Highway to the Prospect Highway.

“Public transport customers will also benefi t from new bus lanes between Lance-

The affected area.

lot St and north of St Martins Cr, demonstrating our commitment to a multi-modal approach to road upgrades.”

Liberal Senator for Greenway, Senator Hollie Hughes said the upgrade would have lasting positive impacts for surrounding neighborhoods.

“The Prospect Highway was created out of a series of local roads back in the 1980s and this upgrade has been on the drawing board for years, so the local community has waited a long time for this and they are getting some well-deserved local upgrades as a result,” Senator Hughes said.

“Work is continuing on a new roundabout at Hadrian Av and Keyworth Dve at Prospect as well as a kiss-and-ride facility at Shelley Public School, with completion expected on both installations in the coming months.”

State Member for Seven Hills Mark Taylor said the Prospect Highway carried around 35,000 vehicles every day, including 5000 heavy vehicles and was critical for freight movement throughout Sydney.

“The speed limit on the Prospect Highway will be raised from 60 km/h to 70 km/h, while the existing shared path on the western side of the highway, between M4 Motorway and Blacktown Rd, will be upgraded with resurfacing and line marking,” Mr Taylor said.

Fulton Hogan is delivering the entire project, with major work starting early next year and the project expected to be completed in late 2024.

Further information on the construction schedule will be made available by Transport for NSW in the coming months.

To learn more about this project and to take a virtual tour of the Prospect Highway upgrade, visit www.nswroads.work/ prospecthighway.

CONNECTING LOCAL BUSINESSES TO GROW THE BLACKTOWN ECONOMY

WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF OUR PLATINUM & GOLD MEMBERS

PLATINUM GOLD