Mayor questions infrastructure around Bull and Bush site plans

A PLANNING proposal for the Bull and Bush Hotel site in Baulkham Hills has been shelved by The Hills Shire Council – despite gateway approval from the State Government.

Artist impression of the Bull 'n' Bush redevelopment. Frontage from Windsor Rd, Seven Hills Rd

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A PLANNING proposal for the Bull and Bush Hotel site in Baulkham Hills has been shelved by The Hills Shire Council – despite gateway approval from the State Government.

The development application for three multistorey towers at the site, at the junction of Windsor, Seven Hills and Old Northern roads, sought the demolition of the Hotel for 200 apartments in two 15-storey towers and an eight-storey tower, with a library and community centre to be sold back to the council.

Artist impression of a neighbouring park in the Bull 'n' Bush redevelopment.

Artist impressions of the latest plans for the Bull 'n' Bush site on Windsor Rd, Baulkham Hills.

The Hills Mayor Michelle Byrne championed the councillors’ decision last week to knock back the planning proposal, which sought to amend land zoning, height and floor space ratios.

“Baulkham Hills town centre’s infrastructure can’t cope with the size and scale of this proposal,” Cr Byrne told the Times.

“It’s not Castle Hill town centre with a new Metro on the way.

“People will be relying on cars and buses to get around.

“How will the existing road network perform?”

Pictures of traffic leaving Seven Hills road at intersection of Windsor Rd, Old Northern Road and Seven Hills Road in Baulkham Hills. Pic: AAP Image/Justin Sanson

Cr Byrne said there was no commitment from the State Government to upgrade the intersection of Old Northern, Windsor and Seven Hills roads, which suffered from major traffic woes.

“We are also concerned about apartment sizes in a town that predominantly caters for families,” she said.

SA entertainers Wally Carr and Marie Fidock rehearsing for their last performances at the Hotel Enfield's Bull 'n' Bush in 1988.

“The NSW Government did not support council’s request to secure larger apartments as part of this development – this would have ensured a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units in this complex.

“I would like to see a more considered approach that shows the needs of the people who live here now as well as the needs of the people who will live here in the future.”

On November 6, 2016, the council approved a motion to send the planning proposal to gateway determination.

Artist impression of a neighbouring park in the Bull 'n' Bush redevelopment.

Artist impression of the Bull 'n' Bush redevelopment.

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