Residents in uproar over ‘three year wait for Showground precinct plans’
RESIDENTS surrounding the Showground station precinct at Castle Hill are outraged that plans have not been revealed for the “priority site”, with the situation dragging on for three years.
Hills Shire
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hills Shire. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Hills Council’s call to accelerate plans for Showground Precinct
- How Castle Hill Showground could look in 2037
RESIDENTS surrounding the Showground station precinct at Castle Hill are outraged that plans have not been revealed for the “priority site”.
Castle Hill resident Paul Cook took matters into his own hands when he invited hundreds of residents to come together over two community forums this month, to raise their concerns with the lack of finalised information, following an extensive three-year process that has left ‘entire communities on hold’.
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
“We want the planning department to release the plans as soon as possible, because right now whole communities are in limbo,” Mr Cook said.
“We have the likes of local representatives like (Castle Hill MP) Ray Williams and The Hills Shire Council complaining about a lack of infrastructure, despite the fact that they have known about the plan since 2015.
“If they failed to raise their concerns then, why are they doing it now?”
A NSW Planning spokeswoman said draft plans were ready for finalisation but, in response to a request from the council, the finalisation process was deferred.
“The department recently received a substantial package of material from Hills Shire Council regarding the proposed rezoning controls for the Bella Vista, Kellyville and Showground Station precincts,” she said. “Given the size and detail of this material and the new issues raised by council, the department will need adequate time to review these matters.
How Norwest Business Park could look in 2037
How Kellyville could look in 2037
How Baulkham Hills could look in 2037
“However, the department is committed to providing a recommendation to the minister by the end of 2017.”
A Hills Shire Council spokesman encouraged residents go to the Planning Minister to make a decision on the precinct and “ask why the Planning Secretary is unable to reach a sensible conclusion”.
“Council is a stakeholder as are the landowners, it is not our position to comment on this,” the spokesman said.
“Council has assisted the department where it can, even to the point of giving the department material to help reach a decision on the precincts.
“Council has shown a long track recording of acknowledging change, but also ensuring that the outcome results in a sensible and sustainable precinct for current and future residents.”
Castle Hill state Liberal MP Ray Williams said he shared frustrations of residents awaiting the rezoning of land within the precinct.
“The Department of Planning is solely responsible for the rezoning of this land,” Mr Williams said.
Mr Williams said the length of time taken to provide residents with certainty — 2 ½ years — was “completely unacceptable”.
“I make no apologies for demanding any rezoning for increased housing densities in this area is done through an appropriate masterplanning approach,’’ he said.
“Anything less is a betrayal of sound planning principles which have been a feature of the Hills area and has been strongly supported by our local council.”