Sydney’s Southwest is entering a new chapter.
With billions in infrastructure investment, a booming residential pipeline, and the much-anticipated Western Sydney Airport nearing completion, the region rapidly becomes a hub of commerce, community, and opportunity. At the centre of this transformation are developments like Austral Plaza — a new neighbourhood shopping centre anchored by Woolworths and Leppington Village, a vibrant retail precinct that has redefined convenience in one of Sydney’s most dynamic growth areas.
At Rook Partners, we’re proud to help bring both projects to life as leasing agents and strategic advisors committed to long-term value creation.
Austral: A High-Growth Catchment Ready for the Future
Austral is located just 14 kilometres from the soon-to-be-opened Western Sydney Airport and forms part of the Southwest Growth Area — a region earmarked for over 110,000 new homes and a projected population exceeding 300,000. The pace of change in Austral itself is remarkable. The suburb’s main trade area population is projected to grow from approximately 18,000 residents today to more than 99,000 by 2041, averaging an annual growth of over 10 per cent.
Major infrastructure developments, including the airport, underpin this expansion. In its first year of operation, the airport is expected to welcome more than five million passengers, with numbers forecast to rise to 82 million by 2063. By 2031, the airport precinct will support 28,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Meanwhile, retail spending in the Austral trade area is projected to increase from $336 million in 2024 to nearly $3 billion by 2041. This combination of population, employment and consumer spending positions Austral as one of Sydney’s most compelling growth corridors.
Austral Plaza: A New Chapter in Retail
Opening in the third quarter of 2026, Austral Plaza has been purposefully designed to align with the evolving needs of the area’s growing, family-oriented population. Anchored by a full-line Woolworths supermarket and BWS liquor store, the centre will also feature more than 20 specialty tenancies catering to food, services, health and lifestyle.
Over 1,500 square metres will be allocated to commercial and medical uses. At the same time, a rooftop level will offer office suites ideally suited to allied health or professional services. The centre will be supported by 319 on-grade car spaces and Woolworths Direct-to-Boot facilities. Its high-visibility location at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Eastwood Road places it at the heart of future road upgrades, making it easily accessible from all directions.
Since launching the leasing campaign, we’ve received significant interest from national retailers and local operators — a clear indicator of market confidence in the centre and the surrounding growth area.
A Proven Model: The Story of Leppington Village
Austral Plaza follows closely in the footsteps of Leppington Village, where Rook Partners led the strategic leasing and advisory. Located just minutes from the Leppington train station, the centre has quickly become a local success story.
Leppington Village features a full-line Woolworths supermarket, over 30 specialty stores, including cafes and restaurants, and family-friendly amenities such as a playground and prominent public artwork designed by the Dalmarri Group. The centre integrates seamlessly with the broader Leppington Town Centre, becoming a cornerstone for the growing local population.
It is also a model for sustainability, having achieved a 5-star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. Its rooftop solar system generates enough electricity to power more than 70 homes annually. At the same time, facilities such as EV charging stations and cycle bays promote lower-emission transport options.
With a diverse retail mix that includes fresh food, international grocery ranges, medical services, and community offerings, Leppington Village exemplifies the power of strategic planning in unlocking value for retailers and residents.
Strategic Advisory That Goes Beyond Leasing
At Rook Partners, we don’t just lease space — we partner with developers, property owners and major brands to shape successful retail environments from the ground up. Our strength lies in combining deep market insight with an evidence-based approach to retail strategy, tenant curation, and leasing execution.
For Leppington Village and Austral Plaza, we’ve applied a holistic lens — understanding the needs of the local population, identifying complementary uses, and ensuring the right mix of tenants to create vibrant, community-connected precincts. This work is underpinned by data: demographics, household composition, retail expenditure, and existing competition all inform how we position each asset for long-term success.
A Signal to Retailers, Investors and Developers
Austral Plaza represents an exciting opportunity for retailers looking to expand into a high-growth corridor, developers looking to create places of value, and fund managers and investors seeking stable, future-focused assets.
It also reflects our best work — strategic retail leasing and advisory that aligns commercial objectives with community outcomes.
If you are a retailer exploring new markets, a capital partner interested in emerging growth locations, or a stakeholder looking for a trusted retail advisor, we’d love to continue the conversation.
Contact Daniel Song
📧 daniels@rookpartners.com
📱 +61 407 021 373
🌐 rookpartners.com
Let’s discuss your next opportunity and how we can help bring it to life.
