West Sydney airport city named Bradfield

Sydney's third city - to be built around the western Sydney airport - will be named after engineer John Bradfield, who designed and oversaw construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the city's railway network.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Bradfield would be Australia's "first 22nd century city", delivering up to 200,000 jobs across the precinct.

The name Bradfield was chosen after extensive community consultation and endorsement by a government panel, Ms Berejiklian said.

Located north of Bringelly, Bradfield will cover more than 100 hectares and host advanced manufacturing, research, science and education facilities.

The precinct will be adjacent to the Nancy Bird Walton Airport that's now under construction and is due to begin operations in 2026.

"As we're going through a difficult time for our state, it's important for us to plan for our future," Ms Berejiklian told reporters on Tuesday.

Western Sydney Minister Stuart Ayres said plans were underway for local roads, parks and transport, with the first building under construction by 2023.

The project - which includes a $11 billion rail link to the airport - has already prompted extensive rezoning of land in the area, Mr Ayres said.

Memorandums of understanding had been signed with 18 organisations interested in establishing their business in the city.

But Labor criticised the government for their treatment of local residents, who are distraught their properties had been rendered "worthless" by rezoning.

Labor and the residents argue there hasn't been a proper consultation process or explanation for residents, who have been treated with contempt.

The government has compulsorily acquired about 26 hectares of land at Orchard Hills where the metro station will be built. The land of some residents around Bringelly has also been rezoned and will be bought for parkland.

Opposition Leader Jodi McKay said the government was underpaying local residents for their land, and challenged Ms Berejiklian to speak directly with them about their grievances.

"These are people's homes, These are people's farms. They've been in families for generations, people have raised their children," Ms McKay said.

Under questioning in NSW parliament on Tuesday, Ms Berejiklian did not promise to meet the residents, saying her ministers were actively involved in the consultation process and would resolve any issues.

"We appreciate that when people have these concerns, plan for their future and that's disrupted ... that's always a difficult (matter)," Ms Berejiklian said.

"The government is going through the process of listening to those concerns."

Labor said Ms Berejiklian's remarks were false and neither the premier, Transport Minister Andrew Constance nor Planning Minister Rob Stokes had met with residents of Luddenham, Bringelly, Rossmore and Orchard Hills.