Mt Druitt CBD: $1.49bn plan approved, 15,000 new jobs, homes, businesses
A major $1.49bn revamp of Mt Druitt has been approved, including 2,800 new homes and the creation of more than 15,000 jobs. However, concerns have been raised over a lack of planned infrastructure to support the development.
Blacktown
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The NSW Government has approved a $1.49 billion revamp of the Mt Druitt CBD, creating 15,000 jobs in the process.
The green light for the rezoning proposal paves the way for more than 2,800 new homes to be built in the precinct, as well as new cafes, restaurants, retail outlets and commercial space in taller buildings.
However, Labor has hit out at a lack of infrastructure to support the development.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Mt Druitt CBD rezoning was one of the first projects to have its assessment fast-tracked as part the Planning System Acceleration Program.
Ms Berejiklian said the program aims to keep people in jobs and the economy moving during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This project has been three years in the making and marks the beginning of an exciting new future for Western Sydney,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“More than 2,900 construction jobs will be created to build this vibrant new hub, as well as thousands more permanent jobs as the new CBD comes to life.”
The rezoning proposal relates to 24 hectares of land to facilitate more mixed-use commercial and residential development.
However Labor has issued caution, with leader Jodi McKay questioning the lack of public services and infrastructure.
The Labor leader said the Blacktown local government area had experienced some of the fastest population growth in the country, with 9000 new residents moving in each year.
“But the Berejiklian Government simply hasn’t delivered enough schools, failed to upgrade or build major roads like Bandon Road supporting Riverstone, the Rooty Hill Overpass, or the Blacktown Rd upgrade,” she said.
She added that Planning Minister Rob Stokes was “failing to provide necessary public infrastructure and services needed to support the plan to build 2800 new dwellings.
“Communities are more than just bricks and mortar,” she said.
Mt Druitt and Blacktown State Labor MPs Edmund Atalla and Stephen Bali said approval of the plans was long overdue.
“This is welcome news as we have been waiting for this announcement for more than five years,” Mr Atalla MP said.
“The $1.49 billion revamp of the Mt Druitt CBD will be coming from developers, the community and Blacktown City Council.
“No state funding has been allocated for infrastructure or services required as a result of these zoning changes.”
Mr Bali MP added: “What the planning minister won’t tell you is that these plans sat idle for three years with the State Government until they came up with ‘fast track’ marketing spin to make the announcement.
“We need less spin and more substance to fix up the roads, link rail lines, improve school facilities and actually provide additional health services rather just a shiny new building.”
Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale welcomed the announcement, but also pushed for a more funding to be directed to the region’s infrastructure.
“This is only an amendment to the planning controls, covering zoning and building heights for the Mt Druitt CBD,” Mr Bleasdale said.
“The council has a master plan for the redevelopment of Mount Druitt CBD on the table and this gives us the green light.
“There are privately-funded shovel ready projects waiting for this amendment.
“While we welcome the Premier’s announcement, we need to point out that road, transport and services infrastructure is vital to properly deliver the transformation of Mount Druitt CBD.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes said the Mt Druitt CBD rezoning is the sixth project to be determined through the Government’s new fast-tracked assessment program.
“In the past two weeks alone, the Planning System Acceleration Program has injected $1.87 billion in to the State’s economy and created opportunities for more than 16,000 jobs,” Mr Stokes said.
“Today’s approval is another exciting step forward for Western Sydney and means development applications for the Mt Druitt CBD can be lodged immediately.”