Hills Shire Council: 26,000 homes, 56,000 jobs planned for Castle Hill, Norwest, Rouse Hill

An eye-watering 26,000 homes and 56,000 jobs are set to be created in an already bustling community in Sydney’s west, with 25-storey towers proposed to replace a major shopping centre.

A 20-year vision to revolutionise an already-booming western Sydney community has been revealed – earmarking the creation of an eye-watering 56,000 new jobs and as many as 26,000 homes in three suburban town centres.

The Hills Shire Council’s long-term Economic Growth Plan, currently on exhibition, details ambitious blueprints to transform town centres in Castle Hill, Norwest Business Park and Rouse Hill by 2041 with a focus on innovation, health and science.

Artist's Impression of the park expansion at Norwest Lakes

The plans forecast the creation of 13,530 additional jobs and 7415 additional homes in the Castle Hill precinct, 8800 additional jobs and 2750 extra homes in Rouse Hill, and 30,000 additional jobs and 18,130 new homes in Norwest Business Park.

The masterplan for the future of Castle Hill confirmed “significant growth potential for additional residential development over the next 20 years and beyond”, while also revealing council’s proposed plans for the future-fate of the Castle Mall shopping centre.

The vision earmarked the redevelopment of council-owned land on Main Street with a series of “commercial office” development and “complementary residential development” on the east and western sides of Main St, Castle Hill featuring “tall and slender towers” reaching up to 22-storeys.

Old Northern Road running between the Castle Towers shopping Centre and the Old Mall could be transformed into a series of high-rise commercial and residential towers. (AAP Image/David Swift)

The vision for the future also earmarks the “reimagining” of McDougall Lane as an ‘Eat Street’ Precinct, as well as the creation of new urban plazas.

McGougall Lane currently houses a car park and council-owned Castle Mall, which would be transformed into a “designated commercial area” with commercial and residential towers ranging up to 25-storeys in height.

“Opportunity will be provided for mixed use development on the eastern side of McDougall Lane,” the future vision revealed.

Castle Mall at Terminus St, Castle Hill was sold by Castle Towers owners QIC to The Hills Shire Council for $105 million. Picture: Stonebridge.

“Employment and education related uses will remain the primary objective in this portion of the site, however some residential tower elements may also be appropriate.

“Employment opportunities and everyday services will be prioritised, especially on lower levels of buildings.”

Artist's Impression of McDougall Lane Eat Street, which is currently a council car park and the home of Castle Mall shopping centre.

Meanwhile, council planners for the project said The Hills’ 20-year vision would establish Norwest Business Park as a landmark location for “businesses focused on health, education, science, technology, finance and advanced manufacturing”.

“Business will enjoy the proximity and ease of access to complementary services and facilities at nearby strategic centres of Castle Hill and Rouse Hill and the economic competitiveness

offered by enhanced connections to Sydney CBD, Greater Parramatta and the Western Sydney Airport,” the planner said.

“Over the next 20 years Norwest Strategic Centre will continue to evolve into a location valued by workers, residents and visitors for its vibrancy and amenity.

“It will transform from its sprawling, low scale origins to a more walkable centre with

taller, well designed buildings at its core.

Artist's Impression of Commercial Developments along Brookhollow Ave, Castle Hill

“In addition to hosting prestige office space, it will provide appealing and safe places

to shop, dine, socialise, live and enjoy cultural and leisure experiences, all within the walking catchment of high frequency mass public transport.”

In Rouse Hill, council will focus on building a new central plaza in the undeveloped land north of the existing town centre.

Artist's Impression of The Fiddler and Surrounds

Hills Council general manager Michael Edgar said the plans would “create more opportunity for the people of the Hills”.

“By concentrating high-density developments within walking distance of a world-class train line, we can preserve our existing residential character whilst providing a mix of housing options for future generations and more places where people can set up a business, such as a retail outlet or cafe,” he said.

Artist's Impression of the expansion of Arthur Whitling Reserve into a rooftop garden at Castle Hill

Hills mayor Peter Gangemi said the plans would “create opportunities for new jobs“.

“We are also looking to capitalise on our already established health precincts and advocate for more infrastructure and transport routes, including connecting the train line to the Aerotropolis and a new mass transit link between Norwest and Parramatta, via Baulkham Hills,” he said.

“This will enable better business-to-business links and increased accessibility to the shire.”