In 1806, a British farmer named James Badgery received a land grant. This land would eventually become the suburb we know today as Badgerys Creek. Badgerys Creek, located about 41 kilometers west of Sydney’s central business district, is a suburb with a rich history. It’s part of the Greater Western Sydney region, nestled near Kemps Creek, Austral, and the majestic Blue Mountains. Badgerys Creek is most famous for being the chosen location of Western Sydney Airport, Sydney’s second airport. The airport’s construction, confirmed in 2014, began in 2018 and is slated for completion in 2026.
Badgerys Creek wasn’t always an airport hub. The story begins with James Badgery’s 840-acre grant. He established Exeter Farm north of Elizabeth Drive. This area is now used for agricultural research by CSIRO and the University of Sydney. The creek running through his property became known as Badgery’s Creek, giving the suburb its name. After Badgery’s death, the area was subdivided in the 1880s. This led to a population boom. A post office opened in 1894 (later closing in 1989) and a school in 1895. By 1981, Badgerys Creek had grown into a rural suburb with 1,560 residents.
The announcement of the second airport in 1986 brought significant changes. The government acquired properties, and residents, concerned about airport life, moved away. By 1996, fewer than 500 residents remained. The 2021 census reported a further decline to just 168. The area’s geography is marked by Badgerys Creek and South Creek flowing into a reservoir in the north. To the west lie Mills Hill, Raymond Hill, Oaky Creek, and Cosgrove Creek. Anchau Hill is situated to the southwest. Badgerys Creek experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cool winters. Interestingly, on January 4, 2020, a temperature of 50.1°C was recorded in Badgerys Creek.
North of Elizabeth Drive, you’ll find CSIRO Research Station, the University of Sydney’s veterinary farm, and a landfill depot. The southeast boasts a brickworks, Telstra land, and the Hubertus Liverpool Rifle Club. Badgerys Creek Public School, once the suburb’s primary school, closed in 2014 to make way for the airport. Two churches and their cemeteries were also relocated. Badgerys Creek Park remains a local landmark. Today, Badgerys Creek stands on the cusp of transformation, ready to embrace its future as a crucial aviation hub for Sydney.