Ambitious plans by Mulpha for nine towers which range from four to 40-storeys and provide an estimated 1056 dwellings for the business park, were knocked back by the Joint Regional Planning Panel on September 21, after concerns were raised about building height and scale and the “absence of necessary information”.

“The Panel questions the capacity of the locality to accommodate the scale of development proposed and specifically believes that the height of the proposed building is excessive,” acting chairwoman Mary-Lynne Taylor said in the report.

Panel members also raised concerns about the level of information provided in regards to the increased demand on local transport systems and called for Mulpha Norwest to work with Transport for NSW and the Roads and Maritime Services to conduct a transport study.

Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne endorsed the Panel’s decision after the council identified a number of issues with the proposal.

“The Sydney West Central Planning Panel has made some bizarre decisions in our Local Government Area in the past, but I think they got this one right,” Cr Byrne said.

In her submission to the Panel’s commissioner Edward Blakely, Cr Byrne said a 40-storey development in the Hills was unprecedented and she was “writing to reiterate council’s position” on the proposal.

“The highest priority issue currently facing the Shire and its residents is high density development and its impact and traffic and infrastructure which threatens the quality of life of the local community,” she said.

“Council is willing to work with the proponent to deliver a positive development outcome, once sufficient information has been provided.”

Mulpha Norwest general manager Tim Spencer said they are collaborating with RMS, TNSW and the council to conduct a comprehensive traffic study.

“We anticipated a conditional ... approval which would formalise the continued collaboration with council and investigation into the matters already raised in the council’s resolution,” Mr Spencer said.

“While the decision does not formalise the process we are heartened that Mayor Byrne’s letter clearly endorses the collaboration.

“Planning proposals are not meant to be fully resolved master plans. They are meant to reflect strategic opportunities that have been identified.

“We are therefore encouraged by both council’s and the Panel’s comments recognising the strategic merit within our proposal and look forward to further collaboration to refine it.”

Mr Spencer said the proposal had been in the pipeline for more than two years and was guided by plans for the Sydney Metro and the Hills Corridor Strategy which set planning parameters and development density.

“Our vision was and remains to create a world-class integrated mixed use precinct for aspiring business, quality housing, accommodation for new civic and public facilities, open space and entertainment linked to the Norwest Metro station,” he said.

KELLYVILLE, BELLA VISTA REZONING DELAYED BY STATE GOVERNMENT

THE NSW Government will postpone the rezoning of Bella Vista and Kellyville following concerns from residents and the council over a lack of infrastructure to support high-density housing in the region.

Last week, State Minister for Planning Anthony Roberts met Baulkham Hills state Liberal MP David Elliott, Hills Shire Council general manager Michael Edgar and Hills Mayor Michelle Byrne to express the community’s concerns about the rezoning plan.

Mr Elliott told the Hill Shire Times he opposed any further development of his electorate, until Memorial Ave, Showground Rd and Fairway Dr are complete.

“I absolutely reject the suggestion by the Planning Department that this high density development was necessary to justify the Memorial Ave upgrade, particularly given the Memorial Ave upgrade was planned to service the Balmoral Rd estate and before the railway was planned,” Mr Elliott said.

Concerns have been raised that rezoning the Bella Vista and Kellyville region could see a population increase of 16,000 to 17,000 but there is no public hospital, train station, police station or courthouse.

“When these roads, along with the railway, Bella Vista School and the proposed Rouse Hill Hospital are operational, I will then work with council to ensure we get sustainable development that reflects the nature of our ‘Garden Shire’,” Mr Elliott said.

Cr Byrne said she welcomed the postponement by the State Government.

“The level of density being proposed by the Planning Department is over the top, can’t be supported without infrastructure and services and is completely out of step with community expectations,” she said.

“We all know that we have to accept some density around the train stations but to suggest that we should simply accept whatever densities the Department wishes to inflict upon us, with no real thought of how it will be supported with services and infrastructure, and all because we are getting an $8 billion dollar rail line is completely outrageous.”

Cr Byrne said the community expects infrastructure and services to match development.

“Just because we are getting a rail line, it is not an excuse to simply dump in as much density as possible into an area already lacking in infrastructure and services,” she said.

“The rail line coupled with appropriate infrastructure and services including upgrades to our roads is meant to improve the lives of our residents not make it worse.”

PANEL TO DECIDE ON HIGH-RISE

A $100 million planning proposal for stages two and three of a residential masterplan within the Balmoral Rd Precinct in Baulkham Hills is currently being assessed by the Hills Shire Council — it will then be determined by the State Government’s Joint Regional Planning Panel.

The Sydney West Central Planning Panel will determine whether a residential development by Sekisui House, which would comprise 330 units and a capital investment value of more than $114 million, goes ahead.

The developer’s proposal includes 330 apartments, ranging from one- to four-bedrooms, communal spaces and a new park with pedestrian and cycle access.

“The proposed communal spaces are designed to engender community spirit for residents within the development by offering north-facing private and public open spaces including areas for groups to congregate,” the development proposal reads.

“The ground level communal courtyard provides a private landscaped lawn area surrounded by new orchard tree planting to separate the communal spaces from the private apartment terraces.”

The proposal also includes plans for a communal roof garden with views to Norwest and Strangers Creek.

A date is yet to be set for the Panel’s determination.

HILLS IN TOP 10 LGAS FOR HOUSING DELIVERED

NSW Government data released this week shows that more than 1,890 homes have been built in the Hills Shire in the past year, as the number of new homes being delivered in Greater Sydney remain at a historical high.

Figures from the Department of Planning and Environment’s Metropolitan Housing Monitor show 35,120 houses in Greater Sydney were completed in the 12 months to July 2017.

The Hills Shire local government area ranked seventh in the region for housing completions.

NSW Treasurer and Planning and Housing Acting Minister Dominic Perrottet said the result is 14 per cent higher than in the same period for 2016.

“NSW is experiencing a consistently high level of housing construction like we have never seen before,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The construction of new homes not only increases supply for new homebuyers but it also significantly adds to the economy with strong jobs growth in those areas where homes are being built.”

NEW KELLYVILLE METRO STATION

In the 12 months to July 2017, the total number of housing approvals in Greater Sydney was 53,600 — 8 per cent higher than the previous 4-year average.

“Building approvals have yet again exceeded the state priority target of 50,000 homes for more than three and a half years,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This government is committed to delivering more homes across Sydney which helps new homebuyers by putting downward pressure on house prices.”

Half of all the completions in Greater Sydney were in the local government areas of Parramatta (4,621), Blacktown (2,835), Camden (2,245), City of Sydney (2,157), Liverpool (1,950), Cumberland (1,903) and The Hills Shire (1,894).