Cherrybrook station precinct: Hornsby Shire Council warnings over state government developments

The state government’s bold vision to transform Cherrybrook was called into question at a recent council meeting with members of the community urging Hornsby councillors to take control.

Bold state government plans for a mammoth transformation of Cherrybrook have been “supported in principle” by Hornsby Council, but numerous concerns were raised about the state government’s control over the development.

Two state government proposals outline a 20-year vision to deliver up to 3200 new homes and a revamped town centre around Cherrybrook station — plans which encompass land in both the Hills and Hornsby Shire.

Under the plans, a 7.7ha site surrounding Cherrybrook Metro Station would be rezoned to allow for five-storey buildings accommodating 390 new homes, as well as 3200 sqm of retail space and 1300 sqm dedicated for community facilities. The area surrounding the Sydney Metro-owned site would also be rezoned.

At a recent Hornsby Council meeting, communuity members voiced their concerns about the future plans

Protecting Your Suburban Environment spokeswoman Jan Primrose said she was disappointed council could hand over control of the development to the state government.

What it could look like … artist impression of the proposed Cherrybrook Station Precinct.

There are plans for a “green village” in the precinct.

“Hornsby Shire councillors have been acutely aware that its residents do not like the state government controlling planning within the Shire,” she said. “Residents think you, councillors, should do that.”

Echoing Ms Primrose, former Hornsby councillor Vince del Gallego sounded the alarm about state government rezoning and described the current planning strategy as “full of issues leading to overdevelopment and maximising profit”.

The proposed precinct (outlined in orange) runs between The Hills Shire and Hornsby Shire.

“You do not have to be a planner to acknowledge that five storey buildings of unlimited heights mingled with low-density or two-storey homes is bad planning,” Mr del Gallego said. “Imagine if your beloved home fronts up to these monstrosities — it is an injustice.

“The state government will not take responsibility … this council, you, will be responsible because you have ran away from your responsibility to protect our suburbs and residents’ quality of life.

“This council must be leaders and get the Hills Shire Council to follow. If this council follows the Hills Shire’s lead and bows down to state government pressure, then you are not fighters, you are not courageous councillors nor representing the community who elected you into office”.

Concerns were raised over the proposed building height limits.

According to council documents, the plans for a Cherrybrook station precinct was “supported in principle … (however) a number of issues need to be resolved prior to finalisation”.

One of these concerns is the proposed maximum building heights which do not correlate with Hornsby Council’s guideline of 16.5m equating to five storeys.

Separate to this, council documents state there were concerns surrounding the proposed community hub being a mere “cold shell”, the lack of affordable housing and a need for more details surrounding how the development could meet net zero emission targets.

At the meeting, the councillors voted unanimously to advocate the state government for changes to the current Cherrybrook planning proposal in line with the concerns raised in the council documents.