West District
Demographic & Economic Characteristics
BLUE MOUNTAINS
HAWKESBURY
PENRITH
Contents
The West District
3
People
4
Population
4
Age Profile
5
Households and Dwellings
6
Household Types
6
Dwelling Types
8
Dwelling Completions
10
Housing Market Demand Areas
11
Employment and Economy
12
Jobs by Sector
12
Location of Jobs
13
Journeys to Work
14
Contribution to the Economy
15
About this document
This document contains an overview of the population, household types, dwellings, employment and
economy of the West District. This information forms part of the evidence base for
district planning.
This document contains data from a variety of sources including the NSW Department of Planning and
Environment, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Transport for NSW – Bureau of Transport Statistics, and
various research reports.
February 2016
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
2
The West District
The West District (Figure 1) comprises three local government areas: Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury
and Penrith.
WOLLEMI
NATIONAL PARK
GREATER BLUE MOUNTAINS
WORLD HERITAGE AREA
PENRITH
BLUE MOUNTAINS
NATIONAL PARK
Figure 1: West District
Source: NSW Department of Planning and Environment 2014, A Plan for Growing Sydney, Sydney, p.121, Fig 29.
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
3
People
Population
Population growth is projected to occur unevenly across
the District. Penrith is projected to be the fastest growing
,500
382
MORE PEOPLE
327
111,850
,600
POPULATION CHANGE
2011
,350
of the three local government areas and is projected to
have an additional 76,850 people by 2031 (Figure 3).
The additional people in Penrith are projected to make
up 69 per cent of all growth within the District. With an
average growth rate of 1.8 per cent per year between
2011 and 2031, Penrith is projected to be one of the ten
fastest growing local government areas within the Sydney
Metropolitan Area.
439
In 2011 the West District was home to 327,500 people and
its population is projected to grow to 439,350 people by
2031 (Figure 2). This is an average annual growth rate of 1.5
per cent per year (2011 to 2031), which is comparable to
the Sydney Metropolitan Area.
AVERAGE
ANNUAL GROWTH
+1.5 %
2021
2031
Figure 2: Population growth in the West District, 2011–2031
Source: NSW Department of Planning and Environment 2014, New South Wales State and Local Government Area Population, Household and
Dwelling Projections: 2014 Final, Sydney.
PEOPLE
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
BLUE MOUNTAINS
HAWKESBURY
PENRITH
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
1991
1996
2001 2006
2011
HISTORICAL POPULATION
2016
2021
2026
2031
PROJECTED POPULATION
Figure 3: Historical and projected population for local government areas in the West District, 1991 – 2031
Sources: Historical population data for 1991-2011: Australian Bureau of Statistics various years, Australian Demographic Statistics,
cat No. 3101.0, Canberra.
Projected population data for 2016-2031: NSW Department of Planning and Environment 2014, New South Wales State and Local
Government Area Population, Household and Dwelling Projections: 2014 Final, Sydney.
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
4
People
Age Profile
By 2031, people aged 65 years and older are projected
to make up a larger share of the population in the West
District than they did in 2011 (Figure 4). This is similar to the
trend for the Sydney Metropolitan Area as a whole. Within
the District, the Blue Mountains is projected to have the
largest proportion of the population aged 65 and above by
2031 (25 per cent).
27%
25%
26%
21 20%
%
14%
23%
17%
12%
10%
AGE GROUPS
(YEARS)
3%
1
2011
2031
%
0-14
15-24
25-44
SYDNEY
METROPOLITAN 19%
19%
14% 12%
31%
AREA
COMPARISONS Note: Proportions have been rounded to the nearest percent.
28%
45-64
24%
24%
85+
65-84
11%
14%
2%
3%
Totals may not add to 100 per cent because of rounding.
Figure 4: Age profiles of populations in the West District and Sydney Metropolitan Area, 2011 and 2031
Source: NSW Department of Planning and Environment 2014, New South Wales State and Local Government Area Population, Household and
Dwelling Projections: 2014 Final, Sydney.
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
5
Households and Dwellings
Household Types
The West District has a strong family focus. Family
households (couple only, couple with children,
single parent, multiple and other family households)
are a dominant feature in the District (Figure 5 and
Figure 6), with ‘couple with children’ households being
the most common. Over the next 20 years this family focus
will continue.
38%
22
%
34%
23%
21
%
24%
13% 13%
2011
2031
HOUSEHOLD
TYPES
SYDNEY
METROPOLITAN
AREA
COMPARISONS
2%
4% 4%
COUPLE ONLY
22%
22%
COUPLE WITH
CHILDREN
SINGLE PARENT
MULTIPLE +
OTHER FAMILY
LONE PERSON
37%
11%
4%
22%
35%
11%
4%
24%
2%
GROUP
5%
4%
Note: Proportions have been rounded to the nearest percent.
Totals may not add to 100 per cent because of rounding.
Figure 5: Household types in the West District and Sydney Metropolitan Area, 2011 and 2031
Source: NSW Department of Planning and Environment 2014, New South Wales State and Local Government Area Population, Household and
Dwelling Projections: 2014 Final, Sydney.
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
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Households and Dwellings
HAWKESBURY
4%
22%
13%
20%
39%
2%
BLUE MOUNTAINS
3%
11%
24%
27%
32%
3%
15%
PENRITH
4%
17%
21%
41%
2%
Couple Only
Couple with
Children
Group
Lone Person
Single Parent
Multiple &
Other Family
HOUSEHOLD TYPES
Note: Proportions have been rounded to the nearest percent.
Totals may not add to 100 per cent because of rounding.
Figure 6: Household types in the local government areas of the West District, 2011
Source: NSW Department of Planning and Environment 2014, New South Wales State and Local Government Area Population,
Household and Dwelling Projections: 2014 Final, Sydney.
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
7
Households and Dwellings
Dwelling Types
In 2011, separate houses were the dominant housing type
in all local government areas of the West District (Figure 7),
making up 85 per cent of the total housing stock. This is
significantly higher than the Sydney Metropolitan Area as a
whole (57 per cent).
9% 6%
SEMIDETACHED
While flats, units or apartments and semi-detached
housing made up the greatest share of housing stock in
these categories in Penrith, at 8 per cent and 11 per cent
respectively (Figure 8), this is a smaller share than the
Sydney Metropolitan Area (30 per cent and 13 per cent
respectively).
13%
FLAT, UNIT or
SEMI-DETACHED
APARTMENT
30%
FLAT, UNIT or
APARTMENT
85%
57%
SEPARATE HOUSE
SEPARATE HOUSE
DWELLING
TYPES
West District
Sydney Metropolitan Area
Note: Proportions have been rounded to the nearest percentage.
Totals may not add to 100 per cent because of rounding.
Figure 7: Dwelling types in the West District and Sydney Metropolitan Area, 2011
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012, 2011 Census of Population and Housing: Time Series Profile, Second Release, cat No. 2003.0, Canberra.
Australian Bureau of Statistics Definitions
Semi-detached: These dwellings have their own private
grounds and no other dwelling above or below them. They
are either attached in some structural way to one or more
dwellings or are separated from neighbouring dwellings
by less than half a metre, (includes row or terrace house,
townhouse). A house or flat attached to a shop, office,
factory or any other non-residential structure is included in
this category.
Flat, unit or apartment: This category includes all
dwellings in blocks of flats, units or apartments. These
dwellings do not have their own private grounds and
usually share a common entrance foyer or stairwell. This
category also includes flats attached to houses such as
granny flats, and houses converted into two or more flats.
Separate house: This is a house which is separated
from other dwellings by at least half a metre. A separate
house may have a flat attached to it, such as a granny flat or
converted garage (the flat is categorised under Flat, unit or
apartment).
Source:Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011, 2901.0 - Census Dictionary, 2011, Dwelling Structure (STRD), Canberra, 2011, viewed 25 February 2016,
<www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/2901.0Chapter29902011>
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
8
Households and Dwellings
HAWKESBURY
9%
4%
86%
BLUE MOUNTAINS
5% 2%
92%
PENRITH
11%
8%
81%
Separate House
Semi-detatched
Flat, Unit or Apartment
DWELLING TYPES
Note: Proportions have been rounded to the nearest percent.
Totals may not add to 100 per cent because of rounding.
Figure 8: Dwelling types in local government areas of the West District, 2011
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012, 2011 Census of Population and Housing: Time Series Profile, Second Release, cat No. 2003.0,
Canberra.
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
9
Households and Dwellings
Dwelling Completions
The largest number of dwellings built in the West District
over the past ten years was located in Penrith. Hawkesbury
and Blue Mountains, with significant environmental
constraints, have delivered fewer dwelling completions
(Figure 9).
Looking in more detail at dwelling completions in the
West District over the past five years shows that detached
dwellings are still the dominant dwelling type. Of the three
Council areas, multi-unit dwelling completions are most
common in Penrith.
DWELLINGS
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
BLUE MOUNTAINS
HAWKESBURY
PENRITH
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
2005/6
2006/7
2007/8
2008/9
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
DWELLING COMPLETIONS (by financial year)
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
Figure 9: Net dwelling completions in local government areas of the West District, 2005/06 to 2014/15
Source: NSW Department of Planning and Environment, various years, Metropolitan Development Program Housing Monitor, Sydney.
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
10
Households and Dwellings
Housing Market Demand Areas
Housing Market Demand Areas capture the locations that
households move within. They are based on research
undertaken by the City Futures Research Centre at the
University of New South Wales which identified that 82 per
cent of households in the Sydney Metropolitan Area move
less than 15 kilometres.
The West District is characterised by three Housing Market
Demand Areas: Penrith-Blue Mountains and parts of North
West and Liverpool (Figure 10).
Supply in one Housing Market Demand Area may not
satisfy demand for housing in others. Consideration of
the preferences and needs of different household types is
required at the local level.
Figure 10: Housing Market Demand Areas in the West District
Source: NSW Department of Planning and Environment 2016, Housing Market Demand Area Map, Sydney.
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
11
Employment and Economy
Jobs by Sector
The health, retail and education sectors are the
main sources of employment in the District
(Figure 11).
13 %
13 %
HEALTH
RETAIL
10 %
10 %
EDUCATION
MANUFACTURING
PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION
& SAFETY
ACCOMMODATION
& FOOD SERVICES
CONSTRUCTION
9%
8%
7%
Figure 11: Top employment sectors in the West District, 2011
Source: Bureau of Transport Statistics 2014, Small Area Employment
Forecast Model Version 2.0, Sydney.
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
12
Employment and Economy
Location of Jobs
The vast majority of jobs in this District are located outside
strategic centres (Figure 12), reflecting main employment
sectors and their locations. These jobs are located in towns
and villages throughout the District. The dispersed nature
of jobs also reflects the rural nature of the District.
21%
24%
INDUSTRIAL LANDS
INDUSTRIAL LANDS
19%
57%
36%
DISPERSED LOCATIONS
DISPERSED LOCATIONS
43%
STRATEGIC
CENTRES
STRATEGIC CENTRES
JOB
LOCATIONS
West District
Sydney Metropolitan Area
Note: Proportions have been rounded to the nearest percentage.
Totals may not add to 100 per cent because of rounding.
Figure 12: Job locations in the West District and the Sydney Metropolitan Area, 2011
Source: Bureau of Transport Statistics 2014, Small Area Employment Forecast Model Version 2.0, Sydney.
Definitions
Strategic Centres: The largest centres in the Sydney
Metropolitan Area, when developed. They contain
mixed-use activity of an amount, density and diversity
that is of metropolitan significance, including commercial
(office, business and retail), civic and cultural uses;
government services; and higher density housing. They
are typically on the passenger rail network or serviced by
other high frequency public transport. Strategic Centres
typically contain at least 10,000 jobs, with the potential to
accommodate ongoing jobs growth over the long-term.
They are priority locations for employment and retail
activity.
Industrial lands: Land that is zoned for industry and/or
warehouse uses including manufacturing; transport and
warehousing; service and repair trades and industries;
integrated enterprises with a mix of administration,
production, warehousing, research and development; and
urban services and utilities.
Dispersed locations: Any job that occurs that is not in
a Strategic Centre or on industrial lands (e.g. local retail;
health, and schools).
Source:Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011, 2901.0 - Census Dictionary, 2011, Dwelling Structure (STRD), Canberra, 2011, viewed 25 February 2016,
<www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/2901.0Chapter29902011>
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
13
Employment and Economy
Journeys to Work
The West District is served by major east-west road links
towards the Sydney CBD and Blue Mountains including the
M7, Great Western Highway (A32/A44) and The Northern
Road (A9).
The District has a high rate of car dependency for travel
to employment (Figure 13), which is a consequence of the
nature and dispersed location of jobs, and limited access
by public transport along a north-south axis.
Existing train connections include the Western Line (T1)
and Cumberland Line (T5). A number of bus operators
also serve the District, including Busways and the Blue
Mountains Bus Company.
21%
4% %
3
1
%
LIVE AND WORK
IN WEST DISTRICT
16%
12%
LIVE IN
WEST DISTRICT
AND WORK
ELSEWHERE
71%
72%
PRIVATE VEHICLE
(ONE MODE)
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
(ONE OR MORE MODES)
WALK/
CYCLE
WORKED FROM HOME/
DID NOT WORK/OTHER
Note: Proportions have been rounded to the nearest percent.
Totals may not add to 100 per cent because of rounding.
Figure 13: West District residents’ journey to work by mode, 2011
Source: REMPLAN 2015, Economic Modelling and Planning System, Victoria, using Australian Bureau of Statistics 2012,
2011 Census of Population Housing, Canberra.
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
14
Employment and Economy
Contribution to the Economy
The manufacturing sector makes the greatest contribution
to the District’s economic output with a particular role
in the Penrith’s Gross Regional Product. Health Services
and Wholesale Trade also contribute strongly to the West
District’s Gross Regional Product.
Figure 14 identifies the industries with the highest
contribution to gross regional product for each local
government area in the West District.
Figure 14: Main economic activity in Sydney by industry with the greatest contribution to each LGA’s Gross
Regional Product
Source: NSW Department of Planning and Environment 2014, A Plan for Growing Sydney, Sydney, p.37, Fig 12.
West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
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West District | Demographic & Economic Characteristics
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