Bradfield City is taking shape in Western Sydney, with the opening of Western Sydney International Airport approaching and a new city rising nearby. Now, the community is being asked to help name its future parks, roads and landmarks.
A new city taking shape in Western Sydney
Western Sydney is undergoing one of the biggest periods of growth in its history.
With Western Sydney International Airport preparing to open, the nearby Bradfield City is also taking shape as a major new residential, business and employment hub.
Named after Australian engineer Dr John Job Crew Bradfield, who was instrumental in the design of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bradfield is being developed approximately 45km west of Sydney.
The NSW Government has described Bradfield as Australia’s first new city in 100 years.
The planned city is expected to eventually provide around 10,000 new homes and 20,000 jobs, with space for industries including advanced manufacturing, technology and other future-focused businesses.
But before many of those homes, businesses and public spaces are completed, there is another important task to tackle: giving them names.
The community can help name Bradfield’s future landmarks
One of the first naming projects is Bradfield City’s Central Park.
The planned two-hectare park will sit at the heart of the precinct, above the future metro station, and is expected to become an important gathering and recreation space.
The NSW Government is asking the community to suggest a First Nations word that reflects the park’s role as a gathering place.
People can also submit suggestions to a broader name bank that may be considered for future roads and other public amenities across Bradfield.
There are rules for naming
If you’re thinking of submitting a creative street or landmark name, there are several guidelines to keep in mind.
1. Keep it short and simple
Names should be easy to say and spell. Punctuation, numbers and abbreviations should be avoided.
2. Make it unique
Suggested names should not be identical or too similar to existing names in the surrounding area.
3. Keep it respectful
Names must not be offensive, discriminatory or inappropriate.
4. No current business names
Current business, brand or product names cannot be submitted. Historic business names may be considered where they have a connection to local heritage.
5. People can be honoured
Names may recognise significant individuals who have contributed to the local area. However, the person must have been deceased for at least one year.
6. First Nations names are encouraged
Aboriginal names with cultural meaning and a strong connection to the local area are particularly encouraged.
The government will work with Local Aboriginal Land Councils and local Aboriginal communities when considering Aboriginal naming suggestions.
7. Connect the name to the area
Suggestions inspired by local history, culture, stories, plants, animals and landscape features are encouraged.
8. Avoid unnecessary descriptors
Names should not include terms such as “North”, “South”, “Upper”, “Lower”, “New”, “Old” or “The”.
9. Explain your suggestion
Submissions should include a short explanation of why the proposed name is appropriate.
Can you name a street after yourself?
Unfortunately, no.
While the naming process may recognise significant people, individuals cannot simply submit their own name. Any person being considered must have been deceased for at least one year.
The aim is to create names that have a meaningful connection to the area’s history, culture and future community.
Submissions are open until September 29
The public consultation is being conducted through the NSW Government’s Have Your Say portal, with submissions open until 29 September.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said community involvement was important because the people who will eventually live and work in Bradfield should have a role in shaping its identity.
“Whatever the inspiration, this is an opportunity for the community to make their mark on Australia’s first new city in 100 years.”
Housing growth is already happening nearby
While the future homes within Bradfield City are not yet on the market, residential development is already accelerating in surrounding Western Sydney suburbs.
One example is Austral, which is experiencing significant growth and now has more than half a dozen new land estates in development.
These include smaller communities such as Akira and Diluma, while larger developments such as Kemps Estate are offering around 100 land lots.
Other developments include Madison Gardens, with 54 lots and house-and-land packages, while The Groves is preparing for its first stage release.
The expansion of Bradfield City and Western Sydney International Airport is expected to have a major impact on neighbouring communities as new infrastructure, employment opportunities and housing continue to emerge.
Austral set for major population growth
Austral has already undergone significant change.
The suburb had approximately 3,000 residents in the 2016 Census, but its population is expected to reach around 55,000 by the end of the decade as new housing developments continue.
This growth highlights the broader transformation taking place across Western Sydney.
Bradfield City, the airport and surrounding residential communities are expected to create a new economic and population centre — bringing new homes, jobs, transport connections and public spaces to the region.
A city still writing its identity
Bradfield is still in its early stages, but the decisions being made now will help shape how the city looks and feels for decades to come.
From its Central Park to future streets, transport corridors and public spaces, the names chosen today will become part of everyday life for thousands of future residents and workers.
For Western Sydney, a new city is not just being built — it is beginning to develop its own identity.
Read more: NSW Government Have Your Say
Image: Bradfield City masterplan showing the proposed Central Park, metro station, green spaces, transport corridors and surrounding development.
