Western Sydney’s future suburbs are set to be greener and prioritise shared community space with the NSW Government unveiling its plans for the new Schofields project.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said this project showcases how good development can create better environmental and social outcomes for communities as they grow.

“With more than 1.5 million people set to call Western Sydney home by 2056, we need to create a sense of community as we build the homes and the suburbs of the future,” Mr Stokes said.

“Too often our new suburbs in these release areas follow a pattern of development that results in a row of identical single-storey houses with black roofs, no tree canopy cover and a reliance on cars.

“The Schofields development flips this model on its head and orients the suburbs around greener, wider streets and shared spaces, all within a kilometre of public transport connections.”

The project, delivered by the NSW Government’s developer Landcom, features a central green street to help mitigate the heat island effect, and shared driveways between houses to provide areas for families to enjoy together and promote social and community interaction.

Landcom CEO John Brogden said the project will create a precedent for the inclusion of green streets and diversity of housing typologies for new development in Western Sydney.

“The Schofields project recognises that different housing types are needed to address population changes and the diversity of modern families and their needs,” Mr Brogden said.

The project’s Master Plan has been lodged with Blacktown City Council and will be delivered over seven stages, with construction of the first stages to commence in late 2020.