Mirvac axes plans for residential community in Showground precinct
HILLS Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne has renewed her support for larger apartment sizes within the Showground priority precinct — despite multi-billion dollar developer Mirvac pulling out of plans for a residential community in the hub.
Hills Shire
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hills Shire. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Uproar over ‘three year wait for Showground precinct plans’
- NSW Planning hits out at Council over Showground precinct plan stall
HILLS Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne has renewed her support for larger apartment sizes within the Showground priority precinct — despite multi-billion dollar developer Mirvac pulling out of plans for a residential community in the hub.
The Hills Shire Council and Castle Hill state Liberal MP Ray Williams have advocated for larger lot sizes within the Showground priority precinct since the release of draft plans in 2014.
Cr Byrne said residents were witnessing developers excerise choice in the market, which “can happen at any time because of a number of factors”.
“I commend the NSW Department of Planning and Environment for finalising plans that included larger lot sizes and ensuring an appropriate mix of units is provided throughout the Precinct,” Cr Bryne told the Times.
“Larger lot sizes gives you opportunity for better master planning outcomes and a more favourable result for our current and future residents.”
“In regards to the Showground Precinct, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment took in a range of factors, including Council’s policy, and arrived at a final plan that gives a degree of certainty to everybody, whether it be to Council, existing landowners, future residents and or developers.”
How Bella Vista could look in 2037
How Cherrybrook could look in 2037
How Castle Hill could look in 2037
How Castle Hill Showground could look in 2037
It was revealed that Mirvac pulled out of plans to construct apartment buildings inside the Showground precinct in Sydney’s northwest, following modifications in the finalised precinct plans for the area.
Mirvac General Manager Toby Long assured the Times that the North West growth hubs was an exciting area that Mirvac will continue to be interested in.
“Mirvac entered into options for land in the Showground precinct of the Hills Shire — unfortunately the final planning controls were different from the original plans, Mr Long said. “As such Mirvac were unable to proceed with the proposed development.”
It is understood Mirvac are currently in negotiations to pull out of the residential plans.
A Planning Department spokeswoman said they were not privy to contracts or options options entered into by Mirvac.
“The approved plans include the Hills Shire Council’s request for the inclusion of larger apartment sizes for approximately 30 per cent of the homes,” she said.
“The Department included a 5,000-home cap on the precinct and this cap will be lifted once future education requirements are finalised providing for about 8,500 homes over the long term. The cap will ensure the delivery of new homes does not outpace the delivery of essential new infrastructure.
“The specific number of homes for each development proposal is determined through the next stage of planning – the development application process is managed by Council and no plans or details have been provided to the Department.”
“We are creating vibrant communities with a variety of housing choice and green open space around this key transport hub,” Mr Roberts told the Times following the announcement.
“This community will be transformed into a dynamic area with a new town centre, community facilities, new parks and recreation zones on the doorstep of the Sydney Metro Northwest.”
Cr Byrne said certainty around the precinct was important after a long period of speculation.
“People can now make informed decisions of where they can live, invest or how they can make their development proposals and the likes,” she said.
“It’s not unusual for controls that are exhibited (in draft plans) to be refined before they are finalised and that’s exactly what the Department of Planning and Environment did in this instance,” Cr Byrne said.
The Showground precinct will include a total of 5000 homes, a bustling town centre with shops, cafes and the creation of 2300 jobs.
Planning Minister Anthony Roberts revealed the finalised plans for the precinct on December 13, which will include terrace-style dwellings and apartments to be built over the next 20 years.
ABOUT THE PLANS
The Showground Station Precinct, along with the Bella Vista and Kellyville station precincts, were announced as Priority Precincts by the NSW Government in August 2014. That followed The Hills Shire Council’s unanimous decision to nominate those precincts.
The Showground Station Precinct is one of eight station precincts along the Sydney Metro Northwest corridor.
The finalised report said the number of dwellings for the new precinct would be capped.
“Landowners on lots of at least 3600sq m will also be required to prepare a site specific development control plan to ensure key masterplanning principles are applied at the development application stage,” the report said.
“The department will continue to work with The Hills Shire Council and State agencies to plan for and co-ordinate the delivery of the infrastructure required to support the precincts’ growth.
“Council will also have access to up to $15 million of Precinct Support Scheme funding to be shared across the Showground, Bella Vista and Kellyville station precincts to enhance the amenity of the area.
“This funding will be used to accelerate the delivery of local infrastructure improvements for the three precincts.”
KEY CHANGES TO THE PLANS
• A new provision has been introduced that ensures that no more than 5000 new dwellings can be delivered in the precinct.
• Part of the land that was to be rezoned B2 local centre on the northern side of Carrington Rd will be rezoned R1 general residential.
• Changes to floor space ratio controls within the R4 high density residential area to reinforce the requirement for a transition in building heights and densities throughout the precinct, and to more closely align the corresponding building height control.
• Change to the location and size of the planned expansion of Chapman Avenue Reserve.
• Introduction of a bonus floor space ratio clause to allow for council’s larger apartment size and mix to be provided where certain requirements are met
• New local planning control provisions, including for the calculation of floor space ratio and site area, and establishing minimum front setback requirements, and active street frontages in key locations.
• Changes to minimum allotment sizes including a minimum allotments size of 1800sq m for apartments 11m in height or less, and 3600sq m for all other apartment buildings;
• The introduction of a design excellence clause for all buildings in the precinct, to ensure a high standard of architecture and urban design is achieved; and
• The change to the DCP control for the precinct, to require all sites of at least 3600sq m to prepare a site specific DCP;
• Land directly to the west of Cattai Creek to be key-holed out of the precinct, with the rezoning of this area to be deferred for an urban design and landscape masterplan exercise to be completed and further public consultation to be undertaken to determine the appropriate mix of land uses and development controls.