NSW Government’s fast-tracked projects to kickstart NSW
Another seven major projects have been approved by NSW Planning’s fast-track scheme today, bringing the total to 23. Projects include two new schools, commercial precincts, thousands of homes and major infrastructure. SEE A FULL LIST OF APPROVED PROJECTS
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More than $7.5 billion worth of development has now been determined through the NSW Government’s COVID-19 fast-track plan.
A total of 23 projects across Sydney and the state have now been given the green light to proceed, just one has been refused.
NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes said the Planning System Acceleration Program has “already generated billions of dollars of economic investment and tens of thousands of jobs, with more tranches of projects to come”.
Development projects approved in the first phase of the fast-tracked scheme include two new schools. Both the St Anthony of Padua Catholic College at Austral in Sydney’s southwest and Warnervale Public School on the Central Coast will now proceed.
Commercial developments now approved include the Visy Dry Recyclables Facility in Alexandria, the West Nowra Landfill expansion, Bunnings Warehouse at Leppington, and the Horsley Park Brickworks.
The Powering Sydney’s Future project, which involves the construction of a 330kV 20km underground transmission cable between Alexandria and Potts Hill, has also been approved.
The Planning Minister said approved projects would create 17,600 jobs in the post COVID-19 economy.
“We’re prioritising the assessment of projects that are job-creating and investment-generating to help NSW lead Australia’s economic recovery,” he said.
The Palmers Island Marine Based Industrial Park, proposed to be built in northern NSW near Yamba, was the only project refused by NSW Planning.
APPROVED PROJECTS
SNOWY 2.0 MAIN WORKS
The Snowy 2.0 project will see the development of an underground pumped hydro power station within the existing Snowy Hydro Scheme, linking the Tantangara and Talbingo reservoirs.
Planners for the fast-tracked project said the Snowy 2.0 would provide an additional 2000 MW of “dispatchable generating capacity”, while providing approximately 350,000 MWh of
large-scale storage to ensure the stability and reliability of the energy network even during prolonged weather events.
Not everyone is happy with the approval, with NSW National Parks Association executive officer, Gary Dunnett declaring the government had “sold out” the Kosciuszko National Park.
“Today’s approval of the Snowy 2.0 construction project in Kosciuszko National Park marks a new low in the NSW Government’s refusal to protect threatened species and natural landscapes”Mr Dunnett said.
ALEX AVENUE PUBLIC SCHOOL, SCHOFIELDS
Booming northwest Sydney communities are set to benefit from the approval of the Alex Avenue Public School in Schofields.
The 500-student school, which is forecast for completion early next year is expected to include a series of flexible teaching spaces, a hall, library and outdoor covered learning area.
A School Infrastructure spokesman said the school will allow for growth in the future to cater for up to 1000 students.
DONCASTER AVE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION, RANDWICK
A $24 million, 256-bed student housing development has been approved in Randwick by the Independent Planning Commission.
The multimillion-dollar development application by Blue Sky Commercial Asset Management earmarks the development of a new three-storey building, alongside the redevleopment of two heritage-listed terrace houses, amenities, landscaping, public domain works and basement car parking.
The 4600sq m site in Doncaster Avenue is expected to service students at UNSW.
U ON HONEYSUCKLE CAMPUS STAGE 1A
The stage one plans for a major expansion at the University of Newcastle Honeysuckle campus includes a new building to accommodate the School of Creative Industries and an Innovation Hub.
The $23 million project will create a “contemporary, sustainable and flexible building for creation and innovation”.
YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY AND JOINT-USE COMMUNITY FACILITY
This school infrastructure project at Young High will deliver a joint-use library and community facility, funded under a partnership between Hilltops Council and the NSW Education Department.
According to a Schools Infrastructure representative, the 2.5-storey facility will be located on Young High School grounds and integrated with neighbouring Carrington Park.
“During school hours, some spaces within the new library facility will be reserved for sole school use, and some spaces will be reserved for sole community use,” the representative said. “After school hours, most of the spaces will be available for community use.
“The rebuild will also include additional improvements to other parts of Young High School.”
A brand new school is expected to open to student in Meadowbank by 2022 — including a new primary and secondary schools and improved TAFE NSW facility.
The multimillion-dollar project will recult in the relocation of Meadowbank Public School and Marsden High School within the new Education and Employmnt Precinct, catering for 1000 primary students, 1500 secondary students and offer a series of specialist learning centres.
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA CATHOLIC COLLEGE
This $106m development submitted by Sydney Catholic Schools for a 2480 student achool at Austral will also include a 125 place child care centre.
The masterplan includes the development of a church and “Trade Training Centre” at the school, introducing dozens of new classrooms, workshops and other teaching spaces.
“The trade training centre is separate to the main school buildings and is provided with separate vehicle access and parking area,” a planner for the project said.
“The relocation of the church from its existing site opposite Eleventh Ave is a long term plan which will be subject to a separate planning approval.
“At this stage the details of when the church will be relocated is unknown and will be the subject of further investigation regarding the operation, timing of delivery and final design.”
NEW WARNERVALE PUBLIC SCHOOL
A new public school on the Central Coast will include 20 classrooms and a new library to accommodate 460 students.
The new public school at Warnervale is expected to be completed late next year and will “allow for future expansion of the school in the long term” to accommodate the growing student community in the region.
IVANHOE STAGE ONE
More than 3300 homes – including close to 1000 social housing apartments – have been approved at Macquarie Park in Sydney’s northwest.
The $303 million project, which also includes a 400-student school, parklands, playgrounds and a skate park, was one of the first major projects approved by the NSW Government under the fast-track project.
VISY DRY RECYCLABLES FACILITY
The multimillion-dollar development in Alexandria will result in the creation of a dry recyclable waste processing facility, expected to recieve up to 155,000 tonnes each year through kerbside collections.
A planner for the recycling giant said it proposes to relocate an existing recycling facility operation at 6-10 Burrows Rd South, St Peters and develop a modern dry recyclables facility at 112-120 Euston Rd, Alexandria.
PENRITH RECYCLING FACILITY
A $1.8 million recycling and transfer facility at Penrith, operated by NSW Waste Recycling, has been approved.
The massive project will support a significant increase to waste recycling in Western Sydney, while creating 25 construction jobs and 12 operational roles once complete.
WEST NOWRA LANDFILL EXPANSION
A massive recycling and waste facility on the state’s south coast will be expanded to include six additional landfill sites.
Shoalhaven City Council is the applicant behind the proposal, which would see a 18.6ha expansion on the facility.
BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE LEPPINGTON
The $22 million Bunnings Warehouse proposal to set up shop at the Bringelly Road Business Hub was granted construction approval last week, with the minister telling NewsLocal the 22ha plot in Leppington would be developed by July 2021.
POWERING SYDNEY’S FUTURE
Sydney’s inner suburbs will benefit from a new 330 kilovolt underground transmission cable circuit between the Rookwood Rd substation in Potts Hill and the Beaconsfield West substation in Alexandria.
Transgrid is the energy provider behind the multimillion-dollar project, which said the project would “ensure reliable electricity supply to the Sydney central business district and Inner Sydney”.
The transmission cable circuit would be about 20 kilometres long and would generally be
located within existing road reserves.
HORSLEY PARK BRICKWORKS
The western Sydney brickworks expansion will replace two kilns at the Wallgrove Rd brick making facility.
A planner for the project said the proposed development would improve the site’s environmental and safety performance, which was commissioned in the 1960s.
MT DRUITT CBD
A major $1.49bn revamp of Mt Druitt has been approved, including 2800 new homes and the creation of more than 15,000 jobs as well as new cafes, restaurants, retail outlets and commercial space in taller buildings.
More than 2900 construction jobs will be created in the new hub, as well as thousands more permanent jobs as the new CBD comes to life.
NORTH SYDNEY - THREE PROJECTS
Three major projects in North Sydney were approved under the Planning Department’s tranche one fast-track project including developments at 100 Christie St, 23-35 Aitchison St and 575-583 Pacific Highway, St Leonards.
More than 400 units and a 120 bed aged care home were approved across several developments in North Sydney. Last month, NewsLocal revealed the largest development would have 239 apartments across 36 storeys at 100 Christie St in St Leonards along with ground level shops, five floors of office space, and a public park.
LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS
Planning for the future of three major cities across Sydney were also approved by the NSW Government’s fast-track planning project for Lane Cove, Campbelltown and Bankstown.