The Hills to get a new town centre with 1620 new apartments

A concept proposal for a new town centre with shops, offices and apartments in northwest Sydney has been greenlit by Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes.

A new town centre will change the face of The Hills Showground area.

A new town centre with shops, offices and apartments will change the face of one of the city’s fastest growing hot spots.

A concept proposal for a town centre near the Hills Showground Metro Station in northwest Sydney has been greenlit by Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes.

The Sydney Metro Northwest is the driverless rail network that opened last May and runs from Tallawong Station in Rouse Hill to Chatswood.

A new park and plaza adjacent to the Hills Showground station will be surrounded by up to 1620 new apartments and more than 13,000 square metres of commercial floor space.

“This exciting new development in the heart of the Hills will create homes, jobs and

outstanding public spaces on the doorstep of a Metro station,” Mr Stokes said.

“It will offer a diversity of housing for people with different lifestyles and open space

that will include a park and plaza.”

The town centre will include public open space, apartments and shops.

According to Mr Stokes, the development will inject $995 million into the economy while creating 1920 construction jobs and 674 operational jobs at a time when the state sorely needs new jobs.

The new buildings will range in height from three to 21 storeys.

The number of apartments was cut from 1900 to 1620 based on community feedback, according to Castle Hill MP Ray Williams.

“There will be 4900 square metres of new public open space, 500 square metres of community facilities and at least five per cent affordable housing for a minimum of 10 years,” Mr Williams said.

“These are plans for The Hills that the local community have been widely consulted on.”

The town centre will be split into three precincts on separate blocks, with detailed design applications for the Doran Drive Precinct between the metro station and Castle Hill Showground expected to be lodged this year.

It is not yet known when construction will begin.

Two new upgraded intersections will be built where Carrington Rd and De Clambe Drive meet Showground Rd, which will be jointly funded by the state and federal governments.