Seven designers short-listed to redevelop Castle Hill Showground masterplan
A TOTAL of 23 urban designers have made tender submissions for the redevelopment of the Castle Hill Showground — following a bid by the Hills Shire Council for a transformative community hub at the heart of a burgeoning town centre.
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A TOTAL of 23 urban designers have made tender submissions to plan the redevelopment of the Castle Hill Showground — following a bid by the Hills Shire Council for a transformative community hub at the heart of a burgeoning town centre.
The masterplanned redevelopment, which was earmarked by Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne to put the region “on the map”, saw urban designers submit tender requests for the past month for the Expression of Interest to revitalise the precinct.
A the launch of the expression of interest, Cr Byrne said she hoped the redeveloped precinct would entice big acts to Castle Hill.
A Hills Shire Council report said the Showground has “ageing infrastructure and is currently used by groups traditionally associated with the usual activities of a showground along with a diverse range of other casual users”.
“Over the next 20 plus years the land around the station will undergo substantial urban
transformation which will see the Precinct transition from a typical low density residential
area into a vibrant high density transit centre,” the report said.
“It is expected that the master planning of the Castle Hill Showground will demonstrate
exemplar design outcomes and best practice which will enhance the role and function of this
regional attraction and build upon its significance as a cultural and leisure facility for the
community.”
Hills Shire Council planning staff short-listed seven designers who “achieved the highest ranking and provided the most appropriate submissions conforming to council requirements”.
Firms including AECOM, Cox Architecture, HASSELL, McGregor Coxal, PTW Architects, Spackman Mossop Michaels and Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects were short-listed for stage two of the selective tender process.
Hills Shire Council aims to provide more space for cultural activities, passive recreation and leisure, performing arts and major events as part of the redevelopment of the Showground.
The short-listing of firms comes as Hills Shire Councillors voted to apply for a $5 million precinct support scheme to prepare a detailed landscape master plan and capital works for the revitalisation of the Cattai Creek Corridor at a council meeting on Tuesday night.
The NSW Government committed to a $15 million of Precinct Support Scheme funding for the Hills Shire Council, to assist with the provision of infrastructure to support development within Showground, Bella Vista and Kellyville priority precincts.
A Hills Shire Council report suggested the funding would support the development of a network of shared pedestrian and cycle paths, creek crossings, lighting, seating, fitness stations, playgrounds, outdoor learning and shade.