Norwest Business Park: Hills Council gives key tick to tower plans

A bold vision for a new commercial hub, standing up to 15-storeys tall, has received a key tick of approval by Hills Shire Council. However, some councillors are concerned about the scale of the project and its impact on surrounding roads.

Norwest could soon receive a towering commercial hub, with five buildings standing up to 15 storeys tall, after the proposal received a key tick of approval from the Hills Shire Council.

The 3.3ha proposed development site is located at 7-15 Columbia Way, Norwest — a block currently containing two warehouses and associated office premises.

It is in the heart of the Norwest Business Park, a key strategic centre earmarked to accommodate substantial growth in business and commercial development in northwest Sydney.

Under current plans, the commercial hub would contain five commercial buildings, ranging from five to 15 storeys in height.

The buildings would feature commercial office space, food and drink stores, a health club, a childcare facility and 2043 basement carparking spaces.

Artist impression of the proposed commercial hub at Norwest.

Aerial view of development site (outlined in red).

Council documents also state the development would drive 2383 jobs available — 1943 more jobs than currently available on the site.

However, at Wednesday’s council meeting, certain councillors raised concerns about the scale of the proposed development as well as the impact it would have on surrounding roads.

View from Spurway Dr.

View of internal courtyard.

Under GTL Properties’ proposal, the company would be required to pay 2.8 per cent of construction costs, approximately $9.25 million, on the upgrade of Columbia Way and extending Columbia Cct to Spurway Dr.

Without expansion, Columbia Way is too small to handle the boost in traffic the development is expected to bring. But it is also a privately owned road, which makes the proposed expansion more difficult and expensive.

Speaking at the meeting, Hills Shire deputy mayor Mark Hodges supported the proposal but underlined the importance of the developer completing the roadworks.

However, Labor’s Ryan Tracey said he would not support the motion because he had concerns about the development’s scale, size and height.

“With it being proximity to lower density housing … I don’t think it’s fitting for this part of the (Norwest Business) Park in terms of scale and size,” Cr Tracey said.

After debating the issue, Hills Shire councillors voted for the proposal to proceed to gateway determination. The three votes against the motion were Mayor Peter Gangemi, Labor’s Barbara Burton and Cr Tracey.

The proposal will now be considered by the state government before being once again assessed by the Hills Shire Council.