Fate of proposed seven skyscrapers in hands of planning panel

Plans for seven skyscrapers proposed for Sydney’s north west were hit with a tidal wave of objection from local politicians — but now the mixed-use developments will be determined by a Government Planning Panel.

Artist impressions for the redevelopment of 1 Columbia Ct, Norwest, the site of Novotel Norwest, which will be redeveloped into Dancers Square — featuring a hotel skyscraper, retail, residential, commercial and entertainment precincts over four high-rise towers.

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The blueprints for seven skyscrapers up to 42 storeys in height which are being proposed in The Hills are set to be determined by a NSW Government planning panel this week, as The Hills Shire Council call for the proposal to be refused.

An artist impression for the redevelopment of 1 Columbia Ct, Norwest, the site of Novotel Norwest, which will be redeveloped into Dancers Square.

In April, developers Merc Capital revealed the high-reaching $500 million masterplan for hundreds of homes and commercial space in Norwest Business Park — earmarked to replace the Rydges Hotel at 1 Columbia Ct with four residential and commercial towers, ranging from 24 to 28 storeys high, and several low-rise commercial buildings with three 42 storey towers at 34 to 46 Brookhollow Ave, Norwest.

Artist impressions for the redevelopment of 34-46 Brookhollow Ave, Norwest, which is being pitched as a landmark 'central plaza' development at the heart of the business park.

At the time, a Merc Capital development manager said the proposals were envisaged to increase employment opportunities and “vibrant mix of uses on two landmark sites

at Norwest”.

The two mined-use developments, named Dancers Square at Columbia Ct and Central Plaza at Brookhollow Ave, included a “landmark Hotel” to replace the Rydges Norwest site and public plaza adjacent to the Sydney Metro Norwest station.

“The proposals have a select mix of commercial, residential, hospitality and community uses that are mutually supportive and proven to give a sustainable and balanced form of development achieving superior social, economic and environmental outcomes in urban centres,” the development manager told The Times.

Dancers Square would feature a hotel skyscraper, retail, residential, commercial and entertainment precincts over four high-rise towers.

The Rydges Norwest site proposed 32,788sq m of residential space — allowing for 311 apartments — 44,129sq m of office floor space, 16,828sq m of hotel accommodation for 300 rooms, 4,775sq m of retail floor space; and a 789sq m childcare centre.

While the Brookhollow Ave proposal suggested 40,576sq m of commercial floor space, earmarked to include offices, retail, a child care centre and food and drinks premises, as well as 52,678sq m of residential floor space, which “could potentially enable up to 530 residential units”.

An artist impression of the redevelopment of 34 to 46 Brookhollow Ave, Norwest, which is being pitched as a landmark 'central plaza' development at the heart of the business park.

However, a Hills Shire Council planning manager called for the Hills Shire Local Planning Panel to reject the proposals moving forward.

“The scale of uplift and proposed residential land use lacks strategic merit and is inconsistent with (Norwest Business Park planning) objectives … all of which envisage a commercial only outcome on the site and promote the protection of commercial and employment lands from the encroachment of residential development,” the planning manager said.

“Notwithstanding the commercial uplift proposed, the proposal would allow for residential uses to encroach into strategically significant employment lands.

An artist impression of the redevelopment of 34 to 46 Brookhollow Ave, Norwest, which is being pitched as a landmark 'central plaza' development at the heart of the business park.

“This would potentially weaken the intended commercial-only function of the site and reduce the viability and desirability of commercial investment — It would also constrain any commercial or retail uplift in the future, beyond that currently proposed.

The town planner said the built form of the proposal was “unsuitable for the current and future character envisaged for the Business Park”, despite the proximity to the Norwest Metro station.

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“The proposal has not adequately addressed the impacts of the proposed development on local infrastructure or how the additional demand for local infrastructure generated by the proposed residential uplift could be serviced.”

However, the development determination comes as Hills Shire councillors called for plans for a neighbouring 25-storey hotel, proposed by the NSW Government, to be put on hold after they called for developers landcom to consider increasing building heights and parking spaces at the site.

A NSW Government Local Planning Panel will determine both proposal on Wednesday June 19.