Mr Elliott drew a line in the sand after the submission of more than 18 applications for multi-million developments across Kellyville.

The proposals include an $81 million development comprising 244 units across four blocks up to 12 storeys high at 98-102 Fairway Dr.

Several development applications are being evaluated by the Hills Shire Council.

Mr Elliott urged the council and the NSW Planning Department to reject any further development in the shire, until “upgrades to memorial Ave and Fairway Dr are complete, and the Sydney Metro, Bella Vista School and North West Hospital are in operation”.

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“There is no place for any increases in population until the infrastructure that we were promised 20 years ago is operational,” Mr Elliott told the Times.

“Norwest Rail was promised in 1985 — this is all catch-up infrastructure and I don’t see why we should increase population when we are playing catch up with current demands.

Mr Elliott said more than 100 people a week are moving into parts of Kellyville and raised concerns about traffic accident black spots on Memorial Ave, due to overpopulation in the suburb.

“The road just can’t take any more population increases,” he said.

Concerns around timing of infrastructure and population increases were echoed by Urban Research Program professor Michael Darcy, who said residents should encourage calls for infrastructure projects to be completed before increased density occurred.

“Research suggests that the majority of people in the Kellyville precinct want to live in detached housing and remain in the region when the metro line in operational,” Prof Darcy said. “But this just isn’t a reality.

“Increased infrastructure results in increased density.”

But Prof Darcy also argued that liveability for future residents would not be impacted by increased density.

“From all the research that I have followed, there is no direct link between building heights and density and adverse impact on the liveability of an area,” he said.

“The argument that future high-rise in The Hills would result in slum-like conditions is certainly not the case, there is no evidence that this is actually going to occur.

“Density brings retail and commercial which brings jobs, increasing the likelihood of residents being better off.”

He also argued that from a planning perspective, The Hills was a perfect location for increased density and high-rise due to the proximity to new transport.

“As a planning principle you should always put the infrastructure in first, but that will never be the case.”

Kellyville resident Paul Dimech said no amount of high-density development would see him leave the area.

“I have lived in Kellyville since 1962,” Mr Dimech said. “ Kellyville has always been home and I will continue to live here despite the development going on around the area.”

Mr Dimech said he has seen a dramatic change in the area since the 1960s.

“Development is progress,” he said. “It is what the area needs, because with development comes infrastructure.”

DEVELOPMENT IN KELLYVILLE

AN EIGHT stage development that will see 57 four-bedroom, two storey houses is expected to be completed in August this year.

The $25 million development is under construction on Memorial Ave.

A MULTI-MILLION development for 49 four-bedroom homes on Memorial Ave is also seeking approval from the Hills Shire Council.

The development application seeks to widen Memorial Ave as part of the proposal, which seeks to provide more than 49 lots as part of the application.

CONSTRUCTION of four, five-storey residential flat buildings containing 181 units at Hezlett Rd commenced in March this year.

More than 150 two-bedroom apartments are included in the development, which is expected to be completed by October, 2019.

SEVEN apartment buildings containing 198 apartments were approved for Balmoral Rd, Kellyville.

The $49 million development application for several five-storey buildings was approved by the Joint Regional Planning Panel, with construction to commence in December, 2018.

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