Riverstone East: Public responds to plan for 3600 more dwellings in Blacktown suburb as part of massive housing project

A plan to deliver more than 5000 new and affordable homes to Sydney’s northwest has been revealed, as future residents get a first glimpse of the masterplanned community.

A plan to deliver more than 5000 new and affordable homes to Sydney’s northwest has been revealed, with the NSW government releasing a first glimpse of the future housing estate.

The Riverstone East Stage 3 draft precinct plan proposes to deliver thousands of homes, schools and supporting infrastructure in the Blacktown area.

The Riverstone East Stage 3 draft plan proposes delivering up to 3600 homes, schools and supporting infrastructure to the Blacktown City suburb. Picture: Supplied

NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully said the plans will provide “critical infrastructure” – including parks, playgrounds and roads – to the North West Growth Area.

“These plans represent a significant investment to bolster housing supply in the area, to make sure that thriving communities like those in the North West can grow with both new families moving in and young people having the choice to stay where they’ve grown up in,” Mr Scully said.

The plans include zoning for “more diverse housing”, a new primary and high school, community centre, a new road network and access to Tallawong and Riverstone stations.

It also proposes a 10 per cent affordable housing target within those 3600 dwellings – which are expected to support an estimated population of around 11,000 – which some concerned residents have warned may not be enough for the growing region.

Artists impressions included in the draft plan for Riverstone East Stage 3. Picture: Supplied.

The plans propose increasing maximum building heights of eight storeys, another spot of contention for community members on social media.

“This area does not need more housing, especially 4-8 story (sic.) high units,” one woman wrote.

“We need infrastructure to help support the community that currently resides here … not more units or townhouses which is only going to create more traffic issues.”

Stage 3 is the final stage of the Riverstone East Precinct development, which was released in August 2013, and initially anticipated to have the potential for around 5300 homes.

Stage 1 and 2 of the precinct were finalised in August 2016 with an anticipated capacity of around 3500 homes.

Planning documents say the precinct will generate need for six football fields, three basketball courts, two tennis courts, a 1150 sqm community hub (and another to support demand “beyond Stage 3”), and additional childcare “on a need basis”.

Stage 3 is the final stage of the Riverstone East Precinct development. Picture: Supplied

A map of the 3600-home development at Riverstone East has been revealed. Picture: Supplied

A separate draft plan at Schofields proposes a $500 million project to deliver 1,751 new homes in six “super-lot apartment complexes”, with 33 per cent of them to be allocated for affordable, social, and build to rent housing for at least 15 years.

The plan includes building medium-density housing on 6.3ha of land 500m from Schofields railway station and town centre.

Despite early community feedback, Riverstone state Labor MP Warren Kirby said the plans for the two projects were a “great example of development done right”.

“The release of Riverstone East Stage 3 and Schofields strikes a balance between increasing housing supply, including affordable housing, and providing the new residents with the facilities they need to create a community,” he said.

“The inclusion of two new education sites as well as the massive increase to Rouse Hill regional park is an indication of our government’s commitment to creating communities instead of only delivering more housing.”

The draft plans are on public exhibition for the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure until March 14, with the feedback to be reviewed and plans finalised by mid-2024.