The Austral and Leppington North Precincts were rezoned by the NSW Government on 15 March 2013 to facilitate the delivery of 17,350 new dwellings within the (then) South-West Growth Centre. In accordance with the prevailing market conditions at the time, various planning controls were introduced to encourage an increase in housing density compared to contemporary greenfield areas. Minimum dwelling density requirements and medium-density residential areas were enforced to ensure the precinct target would be achieved. Infrastructure and associated services were planned based on an ultimate capacity for the Precincts of approximately 17,350 dwellings (approximately 16,000 within the Liverpool portion of the precincts which traverse the Liverpool/Camden Council border).

When the precincts were rezoned, there was an assumption that the average lot size would be 550sqm. In the time since the Precincts were rezoned, the housing market has changed significantly, with a market acceptance of lot sizes far smaller than were anticipated in 2013. Council observes that many lots are 300sqm or smaller. As such, the Precincts are now on track to deliver an ultimate capacity of approximately 25,000 dwellings, however the provision of infrastructure and services for the Precincts is still based on the population associated with the original housing target of 17,350 dwellings (16,000 in the Liverpool precincts).

Over the same time period, a housing crisis emerged across Australia, necessitating a collaborative approach from all three levels of Government to respond by increasing the supply of well-located, affordable homes to facilitate a growing population. The Australian Government's National Housing Accord is one such initiative, aiming to deliver 1.2 million new well-located homes across Australia between 2024 and 2029.

This Project will contribute to this National Housing Target, by identifying the necessary infrastructure and services required to unlock a further 4,500 homes within the Austral and Leppington North Precincts over the same time period. Furthermore, the Project seeks to ensure that the additional housing is complemented concurrently with the necessary services and facilities required to support thriving and sustainable Western Sydney communities into the future.

As part of a broader infrastructure and housing capacity review, Council is seeking to engage a suitably qualified consultant to undertake an Integrated Open Space, Drainage Infrastructure, and Community Infrastructure Strategy, both to ensure sufficient infrastructure is provided to cater for the precinct's existing population projection, as well as a separate study to look at infrastructure needed to support a potential Transit Oriented Development if a mass transit corridor on Fifteenth Avenue is provided.

In the time since the precincts were rezoned (March 2013), Council has since prepared a detailed stormwater infrastructure strategy (SMEC, 2019), and has begun design work on various open spaces throughout the precinct. However, with a vastly increased number of dwellings, smaller lot sizes than were forecast, and a shortage of land for open space (if utilising existing benchmarks), it is apparent that Council will have insufficient lands for open space to satisfy community demands. Council is seeking a new strategy which utilises modern benchmarks, updated population projections, and considers the co-design of drainage and open space infrastructure in order to deliver great functional spaces that maximise utility and cost effectiveness. The strategy will also look at the demand for other social infrastructure, such as community facilities, schools, and access to health services.