Castle Hill Showground: Deicorp Dorian Drive Precinct approved by Independent Planning Commission

A bold $445 million vision to transform northwest Sydney with 20-storey apartment towers is on track to become a reality.

A bold $445 million vision to transform northwest Sydney is on track to become a reality after it received a key determination.

Developer Deicorp’s ambitious development in the Hills Showground Station Precinct is part of the rapidly changing face of Sydney’s Hills Shire — an area once characterised by single-storey suburban homes but now increasingly characterised as a high-density residential hub.

It comes on the heels of developer Deicorp receiving a key tick of approval from the Independent Planning Commission for the development of four 20-storey residential towers in the Hills Showground Station Precinct.

A planner for the development said the proposal would feature 430 residential units, six levels of basement parking, community spaces and a public plaza.

Under current plans, there would also be retail tenancies under the apartments, including a supermarket and bottle shop.

What it could look like … the Hills Showground Stations Precinct has received a key tick of approval.

According to the developer, the build — coined “The Dorian Drive Precinct” — would help boost Castle Hill’s footprint as a key transport hub in Sydney.

“Economic benefits of the proposed development include the creation of jobs during its various phases and attraction of new residents and businesses to support the viability of the precinct as a local centre,” planning documents state.

Artist impression of the Deicorp’s plans for the Showground.

“(The) proposed development seeks to reinforce the role of the Hills Showground Station as a (transport destination) site and enhance the utilisation of the metro as one of biggest infrastructure projects undertaken within Australia.”

According to planning documents, the Doran Drive Precinct will be the first stage of the wider Hills Showground Station Precinct’s transformation.

When complete, the precinct, which received concept approval in January 2021 will accommodate up to 1620 dwellings and 13,900 sqm of non-residential premises.

Deicorp chairman Fouad Deiri said the approval of the project’s first stage highlighted the importance of the site’s connection to public transport.

There will also be retail developments in future stages of this massive project.

“The Sydney Metro Northwest is one of the most important pieces of transport infrastructure in living memory,” Mr Deiri said.

“The convenient connection to jobs, services and housing is improving the quality of life for thousands of people and helping them become homeowners in a great part of Sydney.

“We are delighted to be delivering 2000 apartments in Sydney’s north west that directly benefit from being on the doorstep of the Metro.”

As part of the approval, a publicly accessible plaza will also link the Showground Metro Station to the rest of the precinct.

The Showground Station Precinct has been home to countless community events and, more recently, an evacuation centre for animals during the 2022 floods, will be revolutionised as part of northwest Sydney’s rapid urbanisation.