Major forum focuses on Bankstown boom
City of Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek has welcomed government, business and community leaders to the City for a major forum hosted by leading advocacy group, the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue.
The Canterbury-Bankstown Beyond forum highlighted the transformational projects underway across the City and the exciting ways they will contribute to future growth.
In a powerful address delivered at the Western Sydney University campus in the heart of Bankstown, Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said the City was “on the rise” with major projects set to unlock unprecedented opportunities for growth.
Speaking to a distinguished audience - which included NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park, Minister for Emergency Services and Member for Bankstown Jihad Dib and Western Sydney University Vice Chancellor Professor George Williams - the Mayor outlined a compelling roadmap for Bankstown’s evolution into a major metropolitan centre.
“Canterbury-Bankstown is a city on the rise—many would argue, a rise long overdue,” Mayor El-Hayek said.
“While other centres like Parramatta have received significant investment over the past 25 years, today is about looking forward. Our time is now.”
He said the 2026 opening of the Bankstown Metro rail corridor, which will feature rapid services every four minutes during peak times, would trigger a range of exciting new developments across the City and come in addition to those already in the pipeline, such as:
- The Vicinity Centres proposal to build 1,300 dwellings across multiple towers in the Bankstown CBD.
- A mooted Compass Centre redevelopment which would include a multi-storey hotel and residential complex.
- The $2 Billion Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital which will join Western Sydney University and TAFE in forming a new CBD health and education precinct.
“Our rise isn’t just about bricks and mortar—it’s about maintaining our identity as a generous, hardworking community and multicultural City that is home to just under 400,000 people who come from more than 150 countries,” Mayor El-Hayek said.
“Our planning efforts over many years will soon see a surge in new housing, jobs and businesses to cater for the expected 50,0000 additional residents who will soon call our great City home. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to create more opportunity and benefits for our new residents and those who currently live and work here.”
Adam Leto, CEO of the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, said the region was laying the foundation for a new generation.
“This is a city of new beginnings, a place where you can take your first steps and turn them into something special,” Mr Leto said.
“Innovation is at the heart of what this city is about. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, academic, athlete or business owner, no matter what your background, this is a place that embraces new ideas.
“Canterbury Bankstown is home to so much talent, and there’s more on the way, and the rest of the city is starting to realise it.”