Construction of the stage 1 infrastructure for Parkes Special Activation Precinct is underway. For more information on our progress, click on the latest project update.
cost of industrial land
by air to Sydney
Parkes Special Activation Precinct area
Population within 1 hour drive
Cold chain logistics
Cold-chain logistics operators can capitalise on the Parkes precinct’s existing, thriving road freight industry and its location at the crossroads of Australia’s major freight rail lines.
Parkes is also a gateway to one of NSW’s most productive agricultural regions with a thriving food manufacturing industry, offering investors an opportunity to develop a built-for-purpose facility, with intermodal access to 80% of Australians overnight.
Innovative grains
Australia’s produce is clean, green and safe, with new efficient transport connections offering unparalleled connections with domestic and overseas markets.
The Central West region generates more than $2.2 billion in agricultural products – most of which leave the region in their base commodity form.
The Parkes precinct's unequalled transport connectivity offers innovative manufacturers a chance to capitalise on the expected growth in grain-based food products.
This sector is expected to grow by 3.6% by 2025 while the plant-based meat industry is expected to exceed US$140 billion by 2029.
Critical minerals
Parkes is ideal as a central hub for mining. There are world-class gold and copper mines nearby and more than 15 critical mineral projects in the region.
The precinct will offer access to 4 major ports within 24 hours with unsurpassed access to rail carriage for heavy materials.
It offers a unique opportunity to connect mineral extraction projects with growing demand for critical metals and rare sands.
Investors can access the skilled mining, resources and metallurgical workforce supporting the existing minerals industry.
E-Waste recycling
The Parkes precinct will be NSW’s first dedicated resources and recycling precinct with direct rail access. Recyclers can access feedstock from 80% of the Australian population overnight.
Investors can establish their own collection network or leverage existing collectors and cost-effective onsite storage.
- Australia generates 480,000 tonnes of e-waste each year
- by 2026 the National Television & Computer Recycling Scheme aims to increase the volume of e-waste recycled by 63%
- metals reclaimed through recycled e-waste valued at $370m each year in Australia.
Plant-based meat substitutes
Demand for plant-based meat substitutes is growing rapidly. The Parkes precinct is ideally positioned to capitalise on central western NSW’s abundant grain production, skilled workforce and unparalleled transport connections.
The Central West is already home to 18% of NSW’s food manufacturing workers and the Parkes precinct will host a strong ag-tech network. Manufacturers within the precinct can also reach 80% of Australian markets with 12 hours.
Plastics recycling
The Parkes Special Activation Precinct will promote sustainability and offer opportunities within the growing plastic recycling industry.
Australians use 3.4 million metric tonnes of plastic each year with only 14% of domestic plastic recycled. The export of mixed plastics from Australia is banned by 2021, increasing the opportunities for domestic recycling.
Industrial land within the Parkes precinct will cost around 5% of land in metro areas. Recyclers within the precinct can access feedstock from 80% of Australia’s population within 12 hours.
Download the Parkes plastics recycling fact sheetData centres
The Parkes Special Activation Precinct will provide efficient recycled and renewable energy and strong telecommunications infrastructure.
Data centre operations can leverage the region’s existing skilled workforce and low natural hazard risk.
- More than 60% of the region’s workforce hold a certificate or higher-level qualification
- Industrial land within the Parkes precinct will cost around 5% of land in metro areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Already home to the National Logistics Hub, the precinct’s location will provide suppliers overnight access to 80 per cent of Australia’s population by road or rail, allowing local products to be delivered across Australia and around the world.
The Special Activation Precincts program is a priority initiative identified as part of the NSW Government’s 20-year Economic Vision for Regional NSW and is driven by the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund. Is being designed in accordance with principles established by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and will be a true circular economy hub creating sustainable economic growth and long-term jobs.
The delivery of the Parkes precinct is expected to generate 3,000 new jobs and drive economic growth through investment in new and existing ‘engine’ industries:
- freight and logistics
- resource recovery and recycling
- value-add agriculture
- renewable energy
- critical minerals.
The precinct will also deliver opportunities for innovation in resource recovery and recycling, renewable and reliable energy, education and training and innovation. This will be achieved through partnerships with educational institutions, training organisations and industry bodies to support collaboration on world-class practice and standards.
The Special Activation Precinct model supports fast-tracked development certification and business concierge support to provide investors with the confidence to relocate, establish their operations, attract skilled workers, and connect their products and services with local, interstate and international markets.
The Parkes Special Activation Precinct is now in the construction delivery phase which is led by the Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation in partnership with Fulton Hogan, the design and construction contractor.
The Stage 1 Enabling Works involve the building of roads and installation of services including water, wastewater, power, digital and telecommunications and energy services that will allow investors to move into the precinct and develop their facilities. Enabling works for Parkes will activate around 1,500 hectares of land for development within the Regional Enterprise sub-Precinct, Commercial Gateway sub-Precinct and Resource Recovery and Recycling sub-Precinct (west).
To support development in these areas, proposed upgrades include a roundabout at the intersection of Brolgan Road and the new Coopers Road, two new bridges over the railway lines, a new 30MVa substation and all associated utilities.
You can view the land uses allowed within each sub-precinct in the Parkes Special Activation Precinct master plan.
All construction in Stage 1 Enabling Works is expected to be complete in 2023.
The delivery of the Parkes Special Activation Precinct will include appropriate management and mitigation measures to ensure any necessary vegetation removal is undertaken in line with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, and Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 No 63, as well as the conditions of approval outlined in the precinct’s master plan. The master plan is available to view here.
The project team recognises that construction activities may generate noise, with plans in place to mitigate and reduce noise impacts where possible including:
- maximising the distance between noisy equipment and nearby properties
- scheduling noisy work at less sensitive time periods (such as during the day or early evening, where possible)
- regular maintenance of equipment
- installing noise control equipment on machinery and tools
- noise compliance monitoring
- use of temporary noise barriers
- scheduling respite periods for high noise activities, such as saw cutting
- providing advanced notice of planned noisy work to neighbouring communities to help them plan
- the use of squawkers rather than beepers on vehicles
- directing the noise and lights away from residents when possible
- training and induction of workforce to ensure best practice.
The Parkes Special Activation Precinct Stage 1 Enabling Works will provide opportunities for young people, disadvantaged and under-represented groups to work on the project and provide employment and training to people residing locally.
The selection of appropriate traineeships and apprenticeships will be assessed once the workforce is established in early 2022 and will align with the NSW Government’s Smart & Skilled Program and NSW Skills Program to address skills shortages within the construction industry and NSW.
Apprentices and trainees will be engaged directly by Fulton Hogan, subcontractors or group training companies. To register your interest, contact the Fulton Hogan project team on 1800 329 135 or email ParkesSAP@fultonhogan.com.au
The Aboriginal Participation in Construction (APiC) policy has been developed to support greater participation by Aboriginal people in government construction projects across NSW.
Under the APIC policy a minimum of 1.5 per cent of project spend must be dedicated to Aboriginal participation, which the project is currently exceeding.
The project will focus on:
- direct and indirect employment (employees, subcontractors and labour hire)
- contracts being awarded to Aboriginal businesses
- goods and services brought from Aboriginal businesses
- education – cultural awareness, training courses for Aboriginal workers
- payments to Aboriginal businesses/community organisations
- other types of expenditure.
For more information, please contact the Fulton Hogan project team on 1800 329 135 or email ParkesSAP@fultonhogan.com.au
Latest updates
DEAN DALLA VALE, PACIFIC NATIONAL CEO
“Parkes sits at the epicentre of Australia’s rail freight network and Pacific National is delighted with its $35 million commitment to start developing the Parkes Logistics Terminal adjacent to the Inland Rail.”