Land next to St Joseph’s site in Baulkham Hills expected to fetch for top dollar

EXPRESSIONS of interest close for land next to St Joseph’s Convent on Wednesday afternoon and it’s expected to fetch for more than $50 million.

Land next to St Joseph’s Spirituality Centre in Baulkham Hills is about to be sold to the highest bidder.

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EXPRESSIONS of interest close for land next to St Joseph’s Spirituality Centre Wednesday afternoon.

The 12.5ha site, on MacKilllop Drive, has been owned by the Sisters of St Joseph since 1952, and is being marketed by JLL Sydney.

There has been no hint as to the value of the land, but bidding is expected to be well over the $50-million mark.

JLL director David Mathews said it had attracted “strong interest” before expressions of interest were opened at the start of the month.

“This is the chance to create a high-end, boutique and exclusive estate in the Hills, similar to Bella Vista,” Mr Mathews told the Times.

“We have had a huge amount of inquiries about it from developers. It’s a highly sought-after development, and is one of the most popular in the Hills.”

The 12.5ha site is attracting a lot of interest from developers.

The development application has been approved for 71 large residential lots (799sq m on average) and 75 medium-density lots.

The concept masterplan included public reserves.

It is believed Mulpha Norwest, which has significant development interests in Norwest Business Park, is one of the bidders.

Hills Shire Mayor Yvonne Keane said: “As a council, we are always working to enhance economic, social and employment opportunities for our community.

“This site, if re-imagined carefully, has the potential to provide our region with a diverse mix of housing, including traditional housing lots, as well as townhouses and apartments.

“With the right development controls in place, it could greatly enhance the livability of this area — wonderfully close to the coming railway station.

“(The) council is looking forward to working closely with the developer who purchases this prime parcel of land to get the best possible outcome for our current and future residents.”

The development plan for the convent site was unanimously approved by the Joint Regional Planning Panel in 2013.