Mirvac’s West Pennant Hills development: Hills Shire Council decides fate of IBM site development
The controversial planning proposal to transform a business hub in northwest Sydney into hundreds of homes has been decided on by a Sydney council.
Hills Shire
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Controversial plans that would see the IBM site at West Pennant Hills transformed into hundreds of homes and apartments have been decided on by The Hills Shire Council — with the decision coming down to the wire.
Hundreds of outraged residents packed out The Hills Shire Council gallery on Tuesday night to learn the fate of the site, fearing the proposal would be approved following a recommendation for the approval of the Mirvac proposal by council officers.
Planners called for the planning proposal to be forwarded to the NSW Planning Panel for finalisation despite more than 3927 objections issued to the proposal during its recent exhibition.
However, after hours of debate, councillors were divided over the future of the proposal resulting in Mayor Michelle Byrne using her casting vote to reject the multimillion-dollar masterplan.
Councillors have been at the centre of an ongoing and fierce debate between the developer and its bid to see the approval of plans for 200 medium-density townhouses and 400 apartments in buildings as tall as six storeys — and the residents that passionately object to it.
Protect Your Suburban Environment spokeswoman, Jan Primrose, pleaded with councillors to ensure the protection of the critically endangered forest that makes up part of the site at 55 Coonara Ave, West Pennant Hills.
“This proposal would allow Mirvac to clear some of the most rare ecological communities in the shire and the state,” Ms Primrose said.
Ms Primrose said one of Australia’s rarest species of owl call the forest home, fearing the development would “see the Powerful Owl abandon the forest as a breeding ground”.
Residents Infrastructure and Planning Alliance spokeswoman Jacqui Goddard also issued an objection on Tuesday night.
“This proposal is not being considered with a whole-of area approach to planning,” she argued. “This type of spot rezoning is inconsistent with planning and the recommendation from council is inconsistent with good planning.”
The objections by residents also come as the Energy, Environment and Science Department issued a late objection to the proposal by Mirvac.
The department claimed concerns around the protection of critically endangered Blue Gum High Forest and Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest, as well as the potential impacts the proposal would have on the the Powerful Owl had not been addressed.
However, Mirvac spokesman, Adrian Checchin, said all concerns were addressed by the developer.
Mr Checchin said Mirvac advertised expressions of interest for new businesses to lease out the IBM site following the announcement the computer company were leaving Coonara Ave.
“There is no demand for business in this location, there is no amenity and commercial users demand amenities to attract employees,” Mr Checchin told councillors. “Our business would very much value keeping the existing building but it is unable to attract commercial businesses.”
Hills shire councillor Samuel Uno called for the planning proposal to be approved —arguing the development would save the site from a “grim future” that lacked a company taking over the site.
“This site does not support the hills strategy of maintaining businesses,” he said. “Families who can't afford large homes can get their feet into West Pennant Hills with this development.
“They can raise a family there and send their children to West Pennant Hills Public.”
Cr Uno hit back at traffic concerns, arguing they are “false and non-existant”.
However, councillor Mike Thomas argued the proposal was outside the Metro housing catchment and “is a prime example of spot rezoning”.
“There is widespread community opposition to this proposal,” he said. “Opposition that we are being told to ignore to roll out the red carpet for a developer.”
Councillor Robyn Preston snapped at resident who jeered her for calling for the proposal to be approved.
“I’m not talking to you,” she told outraged residents.
“This project has been on the drawing board for a very long time but at the end of the day this is a very different project than what it was before.”
While councillor Elizabeth Russo said there was $46 million worth of public benefit if the proposal was approved.
But councillor Peter Gangemi argued the State Government “walked away from the Cherrybrook Priority Precinct” and residential targets were being exceeded.
“We have problems with attracting business and ensuring local jobs,” he said. “Residents have the right to work where they live.
“This fight is not over, it is not the finish line.”
The proposal will now be forwarded to NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes for final determination and could see the Sydney Central City Planning Panel appointed at the planning authority over the proposal.
HOW COUNCILLORS VOTED
Samuel Uno - approve proposal
Robyn Preston - approve proposal
Elizabeth Russo - approve proposal
Frank De Masi - approve proposal
Jacob Jackson - approve proposal
Alan Haselden - approve proposal
Mike Thomas - reject proposal
Ryan Tracey - reject proposal
Tony Hay - reject proposal
Peter Gangemi - reject proposal
Reena Jethi - reject proposal
Mayor Michelle Byrne - reject proposal - casting vote used