Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has welcomed news of the first land release towards building Hume’s biggest new population centre, Wilton Junction.

Mr Taylor said the NSW Government had released 7,700 hectares of land for the building of three new communities – at Wilton Junction, Menangle Park and Mount Gilead.

It’s expected up to 16,600 homes will be built at Wilton Junction – making it the fifth largest regional centre in NSW, covering an area of 4,175 hectares.

“This is a hugely exciting development for my electorate and I look forward to working closely with the new Minister for Cities, Jamie Briggs, with the Member for Macarthur Russ Matheson and State Member for Wollondilly Jai Rowell to ensure we get this absolutely right for residents,” Mr Taylor said.

“It’s expected work won’t be starting on the Wilton Junction precinct for three to four years, so the critical thing is that roads and infrastructure are planned well in advance of the housing phase.

“The NSW Government has released for public comment the Preliminary Strategy and Action Plan for the Greater Macarthur Land Release Area so residents can take a good look at what is unfolding.”

Mr Taylor said the vision was about combining the best of urban and rural life.

“This new development will allow residents to live closer to their work with an easy commute into Sydney and will retain hundreds of hectares of natural bushland. With the growth and jobs boom that will come with the Badgerys Creek airport, the north of Hume will be a development hub for decades to come.”

Member for Wollondilly Jai Rowell has also welcomed the announcement. “I am delighted the NSW Government has a vision for our region, which will improve community facilities while protecting the unmistakable character of our community,” Mr Rowell said.

The strategy is available at www.planning.nsw.gov.au/greatermacarthur and on public exhibition until 4 November.