Hornsby councillor Vince Del Gallego calls for Cherrybrook Priority precinct to be canned
A COUNCILLOR is calling for the State Government to backflip on plans for a priority precinct surrounding a new Sydney Metro Northwest station.
Hornsby
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hornsby. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Cherrybrook residents call for clarity around Metro station precinct
- Why developers are fleeing development in Cherrybrook
- Winners and losers in Metro Northwest
- Cherrybrook’s future to be redrawn after Council rejects masterplan
A COUNCILLOR is calling for the State Government to backflip on plans for a priority precinct surrounding a new Sydney Metro Northwest station.
Hornsby’s Vince Del Gallego is calling on Planning Minister Anthony Roberts to remove Cherrybrook as a priority planned precinct, declaring only government land should be developed.
‘FIGHT OVERDEVELOPMENT IN OUR SHIRE’: COUNCILLOR
“The Department of Planning and Environment has made it clear that it is working with Landcom to progress planning for the station area,” Cr Del Gallego said.
“Council has on numerous occasions expressed concerns that the proposal to focus on the government-owned land diminishes the importance of, and potentially prejudices the outcomes of, an overall strategy for education, health, housing diversity, community facilities and open space and infrastructure — including road improvements — for the entire region.
“However, notwithstanding council’s representations, there is still no commitment or timing from the State Government for the release of the technical studies for the entire precinct.”
Cr Del Gallego said the council should request that technical studies, including a traffic and transport report, should be developed by the government before any plans are finalised.
“A recent community meeting organised by council and attended by available councillors and mayor, confirmed that the majority of the residents do not want Cherrybrook categorised as a priority planned precinct for medium- to high-density development,” he said.
“Of course, some people would benefit financially from progression of the precinct though sale of land to developers. However, the process would have dire consequences for others who may be forced to sell, amalgamate or reside among buildings of a different scale and character to their existing homes.”
The battlecry comes as Greens councillor Emma Heyde and Berowra Greens Candidate Monica Tan organised a petition calling on the State Government to release development plans for the precinct.
Cherrybrook resident, Christine Dunand said she signed the petition as she was concerned about overdevelopment.
“If the Cherrybrook precinct is undertaken for major development this will be the beginning of the sprawl into our rural area,” she said.
Cr Del Gallego will rally for councillors to back his campaign at a general meeting next Wednesday, while calling on the government to not support proponent-led rezoning planning proposals at the site.