Aerotropolis stormwater development requirements

Information for developers

Information on this page will help developers applying for Section 73 Compliance Certificates.

Innovative approach to managing stormwater

We are responsible for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis precincts' major stormwater infrastructure. This integrated water cycle management system will be the largest stormwater harvesting scheme in Australia. 

To support liveable cities and healthy, resilient communities as Western Sydney grows, the NSW Government introduced new waterway health targets for the Wianamatta–South Creek catchment. To achieve these environmental, social and economic objectives, we must take a new approach to planning growth. We need to integrate water management early and protect sensitive waterways to prevent degradation, erosion and pollution as development occurs.

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rethink how we deliver essential infrastructure and services, integrating them with the natural landscape to create more sustainable, resilient and liveable places.

Our responsibility

In 2022, the NSW Government appointed us as the Regional Stormwater Authority for the 5 Western Sydney Aerotropolis initial precincts: Mamre Road, Bradfield, Badgerys Creek, Northern Gateway and Agribusiness. We're responsible for delivering, managing and maintaining the regional stormwater network, along with drinking water, wastewater and recycled water networks, on behalf of the government.

We're managing the Aerotropolis initial precincts' drainage networks in partnership with Penrith City and Liverpool City councils, who will manage the non-trunk drainage stormwater network within the roads and streets.

Stormwater infrastructure charges

Stormwater infrastructure requires significant investment. We will deliver investment gradually over the next 10–20 years in alignment with the predicted completion of the precincts. This will minimise and manage the impacts of development as it occurs.

All development in declared stormwater catchments must pay an infrastructure charge to contribute to the cost of regional stormwater and recycled water infrastructure. The infrastructure charge is detailed in a development servicing plan (DSP) prepared by Sydney Water and reviewed and registered by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). Charges will differ depending on the location of development and the design of the relevant Scheme Plan.

The Mamre Road integrated stormwater DSP (206 KB, XLSX) has been registered for the Mamre Road Precinct. We are currently working on DSPs for the Aerotropolis Scheme Plans.

To support development in the Aerotropolis before DSPs are finalised and registered with IPART, we're adopting a Stormwater Infrastructure Contribution Bond for the 4 initial Aerotropolis precincts:

• Bradfield
• Badgerys Creek
• Northern Gateway
• Agribusiness.

The bonding amount acts as financial security. It ensures that all developments across the Aerotropolis initial precincts contribute to the cost of providing stormwater services. It also allows us to progress Section 73 compliance certificates for developments proceeding before registered DSPs are in place.

A bonding rate of $1,043,456 million per developable hectare ($FY26) has been set based on efficiencies and learnings from IPART's review of the Mamre Road Precinct scheme. The bonding rate will increase each year in line with CPI.

We're working to further optimise the design and configuration for the scheme while we focus on achieving the waterway health targets and adopting what we've learnt from the Mamre Road Precinct. As a result, the bonding amount may change as we continue to work with developers and the government. We'll regularly review the bond amount, and may update it to reflect future scheme costs.

In late 2025, once planning is complete, we will publicly exhibit draft DSPs and associated infrastructure charges before registering them with IPART. We may register more than one DSP for the Aerotropolis initial precincts based on final scheme designs and configurations.

Contact us

Our approach to stormwater infrastructure contribution bonding reflects our commitment to delivering efficient and timely investment in the Aerotropolis precincts to support urban development. If you're planning developments in the Aerotropolis initial precincts, engage with us as soon as possible. We need to explore how to optimise and integrate your development with the stormwater scheme to minimise costs and maximise developable land while achieving the waterway health objectives.

Contact the relevant case manager. Or call 13 20 92 8am–5:30pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays) and ask for the City, Growth & Development team. Or email aerostormwater@sydneywater.com.au.

Design of stormwater works

If you're constructing works that we require, your design needs to be certified before you can start work. All design work should be consistent with the draft Stormwater scheme infrastructure design guideline: Western Sydney and its appendices:

• Appendix A – Engineering drawings (1.1 MB, ZIP)
• Appendix B – Riparian corridor planting palette
• Appendix C – Engineering requirements checklist.

*Once DSPs are registered with IPART for stormwater drainage areas  we can enter into commercial agreements with developers and landowners for the funding of developer-delivered stormwater infrastructure. Any expenditure by a developer or landowner on stormwater infrastructure prior to finalisation DSPs. Sydney Water is unable to take ownership of, nor reimburse costs associated with, stormwater infrastructure or servicing.

Fact sheets

For more information about delivering regional stormwater infrastructure in Mamre Road and the Aerotropolis:

• Regional Stormwater Planning Approvals
• Stormwater Scheme Serviced Area