How Baulkham Hills could look in 20 years

WEEK 7: It may not have a rail link, but Baulkham Hills will still be bitten by the high-rise development bug, including the iconic Bull ‘n’ Bush Hotel.

Artist impression of the Bull 'n' Bush redevelopment from the frontage at Windsor Rd, Seven Hills Rd. Picture: Dyldam and Mako Architecture.

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IT MAY not have a rail link, but Baulkham Hills will still be bitten by the high-rise development bug, including the iconic Bull ‘n’ Bush Hotel.

New images have come to light of the proposed redevelopment of the Bull ‘n’ Bush Hotel from developer Dyldam and Mako Architecture.

Dyldam purchased the Baulkham Hills site in 2016 for an estimated $50 million.

The plans include 6042 sqm of commercial and retail space, including room for a hotel or pub.

As well, 2505 sqm would be set aside for a library and community centre.

The facilities would be operated by the Hills Shire Council, if approved.

The development would include two 15-storey towers and an eight-storey tower, housing 200 units.

The existing Tudor-style pub would be demolished, with the developer arguing that since much of the building was damaged in the fire on October 1, 1991, its historic significance lay in the fact that a pub had been on the site since 1810, not the building itself.

The developers commissioned a heritage report through NBRS + Partners, which reached the conclusion that the Bull ‘n’ Bush had more cultural importance as retaining a hotel at the site rather than keeping its building structure.

To that end, the new development would feature a large pub at the base of one of its 15-storey towers.

If approved, it could bring more residents into the bustling Baulkham Hills town centre, across the road from Stockland Mall.

TRAFFIC CONCERNS

But the concern remains for locals on how this could affect traffic; particularly around the already congested intersection of Windsor, Old Northern and Seven Hills roads.

It’s been a thorn in many a driver’s side and it’s no exception for councillor Michelle Byrne.

“Some thought needs to be given into the traffic in the Baulkham Hills town centre,” she said.

“That intersection of Old Northern Rd, Seven Hills Rd and Windsor Rd needs planning on how it will cope with all of the development coming to the area.

“The Baulkham Hills town centre desperately needs some reimagining. If you’re there on a weekend, you’re hardly moving in traffic.”

Cr Byrne suggested looking into upgrading the junction as it was already buckling under pressure from current commuters.

She believed it was not a good luck for the shire if commuters were passing through Baulkham Hills bumper-to-bumper in order to access the M2 motorway.

Baulkham Hills is not gaining a train station to handle an influx of new residents; rather the commuters will have to find a space on buses travelling to and from the area.

“There were plans to put in a light rail from Baulkham Hills to Parramatta but I’d be very surprised to see that happen in our lifetime,” Cr Byrne said.

“The Baulkham Hills town centre is much different from the Rouse Hill town centre or Castle Hill town centre in that it’s not going to have a train station so there is a limit to how much density you can allow.

“We need to be responsible with the amount of development approved.

“There definitely needs to be more bus services but that isn’t going to change that people are still going to own cars.”

Artist impression of the Bull 'n' Bush redevelopment adjoining redeveloped parkland.