Hornsby Councillor calls for residents to campaign against overdevelopment at Metro stations

A BATTLE cry from a Sydney councillor to fight against an overdevelopment surrounding a railway station has prompted a campaign to ensure the suburb isn’t taken over by buildings and unwanted development applications.

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A COUNCILLOR is calling for residents to rally together in a show of force against ‘overdevelopment’ surrounding a Metro station in Sydney’s north west.

The battle cry from Hornsby councillor Vince Del Gallego, who has fought against overdevelopment in the shire as part of his election campaign last year, comes as Hornsby Council prepares for a community forum at Cherrybrook Technology High next week.

Cr Del Gallego said the event was a crucial opportunity to voice opinions on inappropriate and overdevelopment in Cherrybrook.

Artist impressions of Toplace Cherrybrook Village Precinct Plans on Castle Hill Rd that was knocked back by the Hills Shire Council this year.

“It is crucial that the massive Cherrybrook Station Precinct be reduced in size from 187 hectares to 3.5 hectares of government owned land only,” Cr Del Gallego said.

“It is crucial that areas outside of the 3.5 hectares of government owned land be permanently retained as low residential density zoning.”

Hornsby Councillor Vince del Gallego speaks at the public forum in Cherrybrook, New South Wales, Saturday, July 22, 2017. The forum was held to discuss the regions future needs. (AAP Image/Troy Snook)

The Cherrybrook resident said NSW Government owned land within the Metro station precinct should be limited to three storeys in height, “provided that all infrastructure is in place prior to any development commencing”.

The battle cry comes after residents living in proximity to the Cherrybrook priority precinct called for clarity around the finalisation of plans from the State Government, concerned the Metro station would become “another white elephant” on the Metro line.

Peter Townend poses for photographs in front of the construction works at Cherrybrook Station. Cherrybrook, Saturday, July 21st 2018. Peter Townend wants answers over the Cherrybrook Station Precinct. Residents have been waiting for a decision to be handed down for the past 5 years. (AAP Image / Angelo Velardo)

Last month, an undisclosed property developer walked away from a multimillion-dollar option agreement to developed land adjoining the metro station.

The community forum will be held at Cherrybrook Technology High School on Tuesday, October 16 from 6.30pm.