Sydney Anglican Property has purchased land in two of Sydney’s fastest-growing regions, laying the groundwork for future outreach to more than 100,000 people.

A major milestone has been reached in the greater Penrith area, where Sydney Anglican Property has acquired a site in Orchard Hills. This area is expected to see significant expansion, driven by the development of the nearby second airport. 

The purchase also plugs a gap in ministry sites in the greater Penrith area. Currently, there is no Anglican church in Orchard Hills, but the population is projected to increase by 40,000 over the next 30 years.

The newly purchased Orchard Hills site cost $6.5 million and spans two hectares, with half the land reserved for future development. This future development will then fund the construction of new churches in other growth areas. The site will be conveniently located within two kilometres of a metro station currently under construction.

The second land purchase is in Appin, an area forecast to grow by more than 50,000 people in the next 25 years. Appin-Rosemeadow has already been identified as the fifth fastest-growing parish in the Diocese. 

At present, Appin has a small chapel that seats fewer than 20 people, while the church in Rosemeadow accommodates up to 120. The new land in Appin covers five hectares, providing ample space for future ministry needs and opportunities for sub-division to fund future church construction.

Ross Jones, CEO of Sydney Anglican Property, described both purchases as God-given opportunities to impact future generations for Jesus.

“We know from experience that when we have a church up and running as people are moving into their new homes, it rapidly becomes a hub of community connection,” he says. “These sites give us the opportunity to do just that in two more areas of Sydney where our current presence is massively outweighed by the population growth that is coming."

Sydney Anglican Property has recently changed its strategy for acquiring land. Instead of waiting for funds from the land acquisition levy to accumulate, it now uses loans to purchase strategic sites early, while prices are still low. The levy is then used to repay these loans.

“Securing these sites wouldn’t be possible without a great deal of generosity and foresight from right across our diocesan family," Mr Jones says. 

"Generosity from parishes, who agreed in Synod to contribute a 2 per cent land acquisition levy for at least the next 10 years from their own resources. As well as foresight displayed by Standing Committee to approve the Greenfields Loan Facility proposed by SAP last year.

“Without that, we simply would not have been in a position to acquire both these properties at the same time, and a wonderful gospel opportunity would have slipped through our grasp."