Liberal minister David Elliott says Sydney’s full and voters are sick of the ongoing development
A SENIOR Liberal minister says his part of Sydney is full and he’s slapped a development ban on his electorate, while warning of a voter backlash if the construction boom continues.
NSW
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A SENIOR Liberal minister says his part of Sydney is full and has slapped a ban on new developments in his electorate, warning there must be a “line in the sand” drawn over the construction boom or the government will face a voter revolt.
With developers unveiling plans last week to house another 20,000 residents in Sydney’s northwestern Hills district, Baulkham Hills MP David Elliott has declared “enough”.
The Liberal frontbencher, who is responsible for the Corrections, Counter Terrorism and Veterans portfolios, said he is not alone, with four other NSW MPs raising concerns about a voter backlash over excessive development.
Mr Elliott wants the government to commit to building its long-promised public hospital in Rouse Hill, new schools and improvements to local bus services before allowing any new development in the region.
He sad he would be making representations to Planning Minister Anthony Roberts on blocking further development while also speaking with Education Minister Rob Stokes about the need for additional schools.
Without commitments to build more infrastructure, Mr Elliott said he would not be supporting any new proposals for the area.
“Tell ’em they’re dreamin’ is what I will say if there are moves to put more development in this area without the infrastructure,” he said.
“This is going to be a huge state election issue — it is the only issue that my constituents are talking about in my electorate, and I know several other MPs have concerns also.
“I don’t have a public hospital, an ambulance station, a police station, no courthouse, the schools are overcrowded, people are unhappy with their bus services — it is time a line was drawn in the sand. Enough.”
The construction of a new public hospital at Rouse Hill was a 2015 Coalition election pledge, to take the strain off Westmead.
While the government allocated funding towards its planning at the last State Budget, a site for the $500 million facility has yet to be chosen.
Mr Elliott said he was concerned a reference to the hospital in the Greater Sydney Commission draft plan was omitted in the final versions released last week.
His outburst was prompted by an announcement by Malaysian developer Mulpha Norwest to a group of property developers last Monday that it plans to push ahead with a $3 billion residential and commercial expansion of its Norwest Business Park.
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Mr Elliott said he would not support any gazetted amendments, large-scale development applications or rezoning until the infrastructure backlog in The Hills Shire is cleared.
This included upgrades to Showground Rd, Memorial Ave, Fairway Dr and Samantha Riley Dr along with the Sydney Metro North West and NorthConnex, “and that’s before we break ground on the Rouse Hill Hospital”, he said.
Other MPs pushing back on Sydney’s development boom include Drummoyne MP John Sidoti, who called on his Coalition colleagues to “totally abandon” plans for 3600 new homes in Rhodes, while Finance Minister Victor Dominello became embroiled in a conflict of interest scandal after urging councillors to vote against a development in his electorate of Ryde.
Mr Elliott named Oatley MP Mark Coure and East Hills MP Glenn Brookes as also having concerns.
Mulpha Norwest executive general manager Tim Spencer agreed the “infrastructure challenges” of the region needed to be resolved.
“We are confident our plan is socially responsible and environmentally sound and sustainable, ensuring Norwest as a community will not only deliver diversity of housing, jobs, and a vibrant social, food and entertainment culture, but will also offer expansive green space and engender a strong sense of community among its residents and workforce.” he said.
A Health Infrastructure spokesperson said planning for six new health facilities was under way.
“Planning is being progressed and will consider services for Rouse Hill as part of the Western Sydney Local Health District’s network of integrated hospital and community health services,” he said.