Australia's first industrial community 

Frasers Property Industrial, Aware Super and Altis Property Partners today marked the start of construction of ‘The YARDS’, their major industrial and logistics community joint venture, at Kemps Creek in Western Sydney. 

The new precinct, which has an end value of $1 billion, will be a benchmark in Australian industrial development and cements the region as a key distribution hub in New South Wales. 

Strategically located on the corner of Mamre Road and the future Southern Link Road in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, this premium development is Australia’s first industrial community. It is also one of Sydney’s largest industrial developments, spanning 70 hectares.

 
The YARDS will accommodate approximately 400,000 square metres of next-generation sustainable warehouse and logistics facilities, with a focus on creating a vibrant and healthy work environment for customers and their employees. The precinct will also deliver important social infrastructure to the area including retail amenity, public sporting fields and food and beverage offerings. 

Market leading sustainability measures will feature in the industrial community, including onsite solar power generation, a rainwater capture and reuse system and a significant planting scheme with local and native flora, with all facilities targeting a Green Building Council of Australia 6-Star Green Star rating. 

 
The development will provide a significant boost to the Western Sydney economy and become a key employment hub for the region. In total, The YARDS is expected to generate over 3,500 jobs during construction and after completion, helping to fulfil the NSW Government’s objectives for growth in the region and the creation of the 30-minute city.

The precinct has already attracted significant commercial interest from major tech, light manufacturing, warehousing and logistics companies. 

Practical completion of Stage 1 of The YARDS is scheduled for early 2022.

Over the past decade, Frasers Property Industrial has developed over 300 hectares of prime industrial land in Eastern Creek, Horsley Park and Wetherill Park. Aware Super and Altis’ recent developments in Western Sydney include the neighbouring 50-hectare First Estate and Altitude at Bankstown Airport.

Frasers Property Industrial CEO Reini Otter and Aware Super CIO Damian Graham were today joined by NSW Minister for Jobs, Tourism and Western Sydney, the Hon Stuart Ayres, Member for Mulgoa Mrs Tanya Davies and Mayor of Penrith, Cr Karen McKeown OAM, at a ‘Turning of the Sod’ ceremony on site.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Jobs, Tourism and Western Sydney, the Hon Stuart Ayres

“This major industrial and logistics community is an important investment in the future of Western Sydney and its fantastic to see it start construction.

“It will create thousands of jobs, provide critical new social infrastructure for the area and ultimately lead the region to being a key distribution hub for New South Wales.”

Quotes attributable to Frasers Property Industrial CEO, Reini Otter

“The YARDS will be a critical piece of new infrastructure for Western Sydney. Showcasing a premium industrial estate design, it will play a vital role in fulfilling both the growing demand for warehousing and logistics space in the region and consumer demand, which we’ve seen accelerate further since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic.  

“We’re proud to be partnering with Aware Super to create the first Australian industrial community where sustainability, wellbeing and technology are at the heart of the precinct, while also contributing to the region’s economic growth and job creation during a crucial time. 

“Next generation industrial projects such as The YARDS are integral for businesses to continue to attract and retain top talent, drive further efficiencies and innovate for the future.” 

Quotes attributable to Aware Super Chief Investment Officer, Damian Graham

“The YARDS is a great example of how super funds like Aware Super, can deliver for our members in terms of strong, sustainable long-term returns while having a positive impact on our community by supporting jobs growth and investing in critical business and social infrastructure.

“This market-leading project will change the face of industrial developments for the future. This is not just a development for those businesses who will make it their home, it is a development for the whole community, providing facilities and services for all.

‘The YARDS will change the face of this important growth region in Western Sydney, will provide critical infrastructure to support Sydney’s second airport, and provide jobs and opportunities for decades to come.”

Quotes attributable to Altis Director, Shaun Hannah

“Building on the recent success of First Estate, The YARDS will align efficient warehousing with sustainable design and unprecedented levels of worker amenity to create a community where businesses can operate and grow.”