Mirvac IBM development: residents call for forest to be handed over to National Parks
A SYDNEY councillor has written an open letter to developer Mirvac, calling for forest surrounding a massive residential development to be handed over to National Parks.
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A HORNSBY councillor has written an open letter to developers Mirvac, calling for forest surrounding a massive residential development to be handed over to National Parks.
Greens councillor Emma Heyde was encouraged by residents and action groups to write an open letter of demands, after the developer nears approval of a multimillion-dollar development proposal for 600 homes at the IBM site in West Pennant Hills.
Resident action groups, Mirvac, the Hills Shire Council and the NSW Government have been at a crossroads over the proposal, which would see the demolition of the commercial site for 400 apartments and 200 townhouses.
Cr Heyde said although the development was in the Hills Shire local government area, she receives constant correspondence from residents on the proposal.
The open letter from residents makes four demands to the developer, including the forest, protected by environmental zoning, be handed over to National Parks, the inclusion of plans for a physical community centre, future restrictions on the number of homes and a revised traffic study to identify current and future congestion and traffic issues as a result of the Cherrybrook metro station.
“It is really important that the forest be handed over to a body that understands how to protect it,” Cr Heyde said. “Mirvac are in the business of development, not bushland protection.
“National Parks have the expertise to manage this in the long-term interest of residents, who are really concerned about a lack of green space in the area.”
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Cr Heyde said the expanding community was also “desperate for community facilities”.
“There is a chronic shortage across the north west,” she said.
“Hornsby Council is aware that Cherrybrook in particular is undeserved when it comes to community facilities and with 19,000 residents — the current spaces are inadequate.”
The Greens councillor said it was “laughable to assume the development wouldn’t lead to an increase in traffic”.
“If traffic studies aren’t done right, you are setting up new residents to have nightmare commutes,” she said.
Mirvac residential development general manager, Toby Long said the company was supportive of “any proposals that preserve the remnant forest area”.
“We are in discussions with the State Government and have made an offer to dedicate approximately 10 hectares of remnant forest to the public as a regional open space nature reserve,” he said.
“We have also sought E2 Environmental Conservation zoning for this area, the highest form of protection and welcome the State Government and Council’s recent support on this.”
Mr Long said Mirvac has been in constant discussion with the Council as to what is the most needed public benefit for the area.
“It is on their advice that the proposal now includes a plan to create a full sized synthetic turf sports field with car parking that will be provided at no cost to the Council and community,” he said.
The development manager said community information sessions had been organised for next week.
“While the designs have remained unchanged since first approval by Council in July 2017 we wanted to invite the community to come and make ourselves available to locals who might have some questions,” he said.
“On display will be the design concepts, information about transport and traffic and a status update on the planning process.”
LEARN MORE
Information sessions will be held at West Pennant Hills Sports Club, 103 New Line Rd, West Pennant Hills on Tuesday, November 13 from 6.00pm to 7.30pm and Saturday, November 17, from 10.30am to 12.00pm.
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