NSW Government developer Landcom receives council support for high-rise hotel at Norwest Metro station

Multimillion-dollar plans by the NSW Government to build a 25-storey high-rise hotel in a bustling business park in Sydney’s north west has been given the tick of approval by a Sydney council.

Landcom released its planning proposal for a 25-storey hotel and commercial precinct at the Norwest Metro station site.

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Sydney’s north west could be set to benefit from a new 25-storey hotel and commercial building in a booming business park, to be designed and constructed by NSW Government developer Landcom.

A planning proposal for 25 Brookhollow Ave, Norwest, had met previous objections by The Hills Shire Council on previous occasions due to building heights and a lack of parking spaces at the site — which neighbours the Norwest Metro station.

The plans for the 1.7ha site at the centre of Norwest Business Park were submitted to The Hills Shire Council in December by the NSW Government developer and includes a mix of commercial office space, retail opportunities to attract new employers to Norwest Business Park and the addition of another hotel to The Hills.

The hotel and commercial precinct at the Norwest Metro station site will include a public plaza.

“It is part of Landcom and Sydney Metro’s Northwest Places Program to deliver inviting, walkable, mixed use places surrounding Sydney Metro northwest stations,” the planning proposal originally said.

Despite further concern from councillors, including Liberal councillor Mike Thomas, around a lack of parking at the 25-storey commercial precinct, the planning proposal was approved for Gateway Determination by the NSW Government Planning Department.

“We want this to be a vibrant precinct, an attractive location and a space with an active night-life,” Cr Thomas said.

“But a suitable parking strategy is required to ensure this vision is a success.

“It meets our standards as far as heights and FSR and I am quite happy with the architecture because I want to see great buildings in our precincts.”

Landcom released its planning proposal for a 30-storey hotel and commercial precinct at the Norwest Metro station site, which was then scaled back to 25 storeys.

Councillor Peter Gangemi said the proposal will attract more business to Norwest Business Park.

“We want to do anything we can in The Hills to increase local jobs,” Cr Peter Gangemi said.

“This proposal will bring thousands of jobs to The Hills and I love what I am seeing (in the plans).

“But we need to strike a good balance of needs for the future when it comes to our parking strategy.”

Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said the Norwest Business Park is “an employment hub that needs to grow and evolve” to meet employment demands.

“To do that we need more commercial space to cater for business growth and right in the heart of the business park next to the Norwest Train Station is the perfect place for more commercial and retail space,” Cr Byrne told The Times.

“We have an opportunity to really put Norwest Business Park on the map particularly with the opening of the Sydney metro North west which will eventually extend to the second airport.”

Last month, A Landcom spokesman revealed to the Hills Shire Times construction of the 25-storey tower was expected to commence within the next three to five years.

The hotel and commercial precinct at the Norwest Metro station site is set to bring more than 2500 jobs.

“Landcom’s vision is for an integrated, transit-oriented development in the heart of Norwest Business Park, creating a new town centre focused on Norwest Station,” the spokesman said.

“The proposal supports a mix of uses, including commercial office space, local-serving retail such as cafes or restaurants, other uses to support local businesses such as potential short-term accommodation which could include a hotel or serviced apartments.”

He said the proposal will increase activity in the precinct surrounding the Sydney Metro Norwest station both during the day and night and earmarked the creation of more than 2500 jobs at the site.