Call for NSW Planning to reject Norwest convent plan

Baulkham Hills state Liberal MP David Elliott has called for the State Government to oppose a controversial development that would see a greenfield site in the heart of The Hills transformed into an entire new community.

Developer Aqualand has submitted an application for 40 townhouses at the St Joseph's convent site in Baulkham Hills. Picture: Supplied/Aqualand

• 40 townhouses for St Joseph's site
• Baulkham Hills St Joseph’s redevelopment approved
• Council raise inconsistencies in St Joseph’s Baulkham Hills proposal

Baulkham Hills state Liberal MP David Elliott has called for the State Government to oppose a controversial development that would see a greenfield site in the heart of The Hills transformed into an entire new community.

Mr Elliott called for the NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts to reject the development application on the grounds that it is “out of character” with the community, while calling out St Joseph’s at Baulkham Hills for selling the land to an overseas developer “for the highest price”.

Baulkham Hills state Liberal MP David Elliott has called for NSW Planning to reject the Aqualand development. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

“After so long, it is sad that the church has sold this land to the highest foreign bidder, leaving the community with nothing more than further congestion and increased density,” he said.

The battle cry against overdevelopment comes after developers Aqualand submitted an application for 40 townhouses at the St Joseph’s Convent site in Baulkham Hills — following the approval of a masterplanned proposal by the NSW Government in October.

“With the recent approval of Sekisui House’s The Orchards and Mulpha’s planning proposal for a smart city in Northwest Business Park, residents who live in and work around Barina

Mr Elliott said the developer and “oblivious to the need for urgent infrastructure upgrades.”

The boundaries of the proposed development in higlighted in red.

Downs Rd and Norwest Blvd are already subjected to significant traffic and parking congestion and delays on a daily basis,” Mr Elliott said.

“While the supposed objective of the proposed development is to provide compact housing and increased housing choice in an area with low density large lot detached homes, I not there are several inconsistencies around building height and heritage items.”

Mr Elliott said the developer and proposal was “oblivious to the greater and urgent need for infrastructure upgrades.

“We are still working on completing upgrades to Showground Rd, Memorial Ave, Fairway Dr and Samantha Riley Dr along with the Sydney Metro Northwest and NorthConnex,” he said.

Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said the council rejected the proposal.

Mr Elliott also raised concerns with Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne, who said council’s decision to reject the proposal was overridden by the State Government.

“It is disappointing to see the site being developed particularly given the increasing need for more green/open space to cater for a growing population,” she said.

“What is more disappointing is that council went through a detailed process with the previous owner and had newly minted controls for the site, only for the site to be sold and the new owner to come in — knowing the background and the process — and request more density and development.

IN OTHER NEWS

“The original masterplan took years, but we worked together to create a plan that recognised the need for a variety of housing options which included town houses and single housing lots with appropriate access to the new Norwest Station. It was a plan Council was happy to support because it met the local and state housing strategies and also took into account the amenity of the area.”

St Joseph’s was contacted for comment.