Derriwong Rd, Dural: NSW Planning Department approve bid for 100 homes

A rural suburb in Sydney’s northwest could see more than 100 homes built after a long battle between a property developer and NSW Planning. Read the latest.

A controversial plan to see more than 100 homes built in the rural suburb of Dural has passed a major hurdle — despite previous objections from the NSW Planning Department.

The multimillion-dollar planning proposal for 101 homes with 700sq m minimum lot sizes across Derriwong and Old Northern roads, Dural, was originally submitted for the site surrounding Dural Public School in May 2016.

An overview of one of the proposed sites.

However, the Planning Proposal, and subsequent rezoning review applications were refused by the NSW Planning Department until the applicant submitted a Gateway Determination Review by the Independent Planning Commission in September last year.

The IPC found the northern site of the proposal could be considered for “urban development”.

A second southern site along Old Northern Rd, which the developer proposed the construction of a further 80 homes, was rejected.

Last week, the NSW Planning Department issued Gateway approval for the proposal for 101 homes at the northern site with a series of conditions.

“The proposal is to permit new low-density residential dwellings on the site which is

supported by infrastructure,” NSW Planning delegate Brett Whitworth said.

“The site’s physical characteristics make it suitable to support low density residential development that is able to maximise use of existing infrastructure.

“The rezoning will facilitate new housing that meets demand for different housing types,

price points, and preferred locations to that available in the immediate locality or that which

is being delivered in the primarily medium and high density development precincts in The

Hills Shire.”

HISTORY OF DERRIWONG RD
DERRIWONG RD, DURAL: NSW PLANNING DEPARTMENT REFUSE BID FOR 181 HOMES

HILLS SHIRE COUNCIL APPROVE PLANS FOR 181 HOMES ON DERRIWONG RD, DURAL

URBAN TASKFORCE CALL FOR DERRIWONG RD TO BE FAST-TRACKED

COUNCIL’s PROMISE TO PROTECT RURAL DURAL, CALLS FOR FUNDING TO UPGRADE NEW LINE RD

In his assessment, the delegate said a series of new housing development, made up of large houses and “lifestyle lots” as well as high-density residential were being released in Dural.

“While each of these dwelling types may be appropriate in their context, there remains a demand for smaller residential allotments for residents desiring a low density lifestyle, that can be delivered in a more affordable manner to suit the demographic trends,” he said.

Mr Whitworth said Transport for NSW and Schools Infrastructure “must provide certainty regarding the infrastructure requirements”.

“If this is not provided, the proposal cannot proceed to exhibition,” he said.

A council planner said it was “already satisfied” about the strategic merit of the planning proposal.

“The applicant has now reduced the area/scale of the proposed development to be now only concerned with the land within the walkable catchment of the existing school,” the planner said. “The proposal will provide serviced large lot housing that will provide further housing choice to our Shire.”

Following the gateway approval last week, The Hills Shire Council will place the proposal on public exhibition for 28 days.

Plans for 100 homes have been approved for Gateway Determination by the NSW Planning Department for Derriwong and Old Northern roads, Dural.

Dural resident Alex, who wished for his last name to be withheld, said the new homes proposed would “lead to an influx of residents” fearing there was not enough road infrastructure to keep up with demand.

“As a resident of over 40 years, I reckon it’s killed the area we have non-stop traffic on Kenthurst Rd, New Line Rd and Old Northern Rd,” he said.

“It’s impossible to get out of my street in school peak hours. It’s an absolute shambles.

“The area has been totally ignored by the council.”

The Dural local said already travelling 7km to Castle Hill from his Dural home can take 45 minutes with traffic — labelling the suburb a development dumping ground with plans for seven other developments.

“There are no longer the market gardens, it’s all wall-to-wall housing,” he said.

“Council can listen to residents as a start but the trouble is the state government takes over and the Land and Environment Court is a farce.”

The local business owner also worried that the approval of this development would lead to overdevelopment in Dural.

“Once you’ve got the first one in the door, they (the developers) bash the door open, and through they come.”