Edmondson Park residents have their say on new proposal for more density

Residents of Edmondson Park have voiced their anger and dismay, saying the needs of the community have been ignored as a new proposal seeks to increase density in the growing suburb.

Local resident Philip Durbridge and MP Anoulack Chanthivong are opposed to a new proposal for increased density in Edmondson Park. Picture: Robert Pozo

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Residents of Edmondson Park have voiced their anger and dismay, saying the needs of the community have been ignored as a new proposal seeks to increase density in the growing suburb.

Landcom has proposed changes to a concept plan for the northern town centre of the Edmondson Park South precinct.

The concept plan was approved in 2011, but the State Government-owned developer said changing market preferences were an impetus for the proposed changes.

The proposal seeks to increase the height of buildings within the precinct from five to 15 storeys, with one landmark building up to 20 storeys near the train station, and provide a mix of housing, including detached homes, terraces and apartments.

Residents say the proposal would place more pressure on local infrastructure, such as parking at the train station.

There would also be an increase in the number of dwellings — from 440 to a maximum of 3286.

The amount of open space and community facilities would increase under the proposal, but there would be a reduction in the size of a proposed school site from 8ha to 2-6ha.

A Landcom spokeswoman said Edmondson Park had “changed significantly” since the concept plan was approved seven years ago, “when the housing market in western Sydney favoured detached homes”.

“The market has since shifted and there is now increasing demand for townhouses and apartments in areas close to shops, services and public transport,” the spokeswoman said.

“Landcom’s new proposal responds to this change in market preferences and will provide a range of housing types at different pricepoints to allow a greater number of people, with different incomes, to purchase a home at Edmondson Park.”

The spokeswoman said Landcom was also working with the Education Department to “determine the land needed for future schools”.

Resident Amela Lakicevic said families like her own moved into Edmondson Park for the “community experience” and an increase in density would “change the feel of the place completely”.

“It’s going to change the whole feel of the place if it goes ahead. My self and countless of others were sold a lie,” she said.

“Our house prices, which are already on the way down, will be impacted. Parking will be impacted and traffic. Air pollution and noise pollution will worsen.”

Resident Jayda Torony said current infrastructure could not keep up demand, adding the suburb was “only in its infancy and already struggling”.

“Our community members are thirsty for services, amenities, appropriate road and transport solutions, and schools, but time after time we are being silenced and ignored by new proposals from the government, local council and developers to increase the population size of

Prestons resident Michael Andjelkovic has started a petition to oppose the proposed changes. Picture: Melanie Russell

Edmondson Park despite the fact that we cannot currently keep up with demand,” she said.

Ms Torony said residents were already suffering from traffic congestion, a lack of parking at the train station and facilities for young families such as local parks and schools, which were yet to be built.

Macquarie Fields state Labor MP Anoulack Chanthivong said the proposal would only bring more overcrowding and congestion.

“It goes completely against my Stop the Squeeze campaign, which highlighted residents’ concerns and angst about overdevelopment in our suburbs.

“People deserve better than living in shoeboxes and squashed in like sardines. More urban splatter is not what people want and it’s not conducive to a healthy living environment.”

IN OTHER NEWS

Prestons resident Michael Andjelkovic, who has been campaigning for a multistorey carpark at Edmondson Park and Leppington train stations, has started a petition opposing the proposal.

He said 538 signed petition forms in four days showed the level of concern among residents about overdevelopment.

The proposal is now on exhibition until December 4. If it is approved, development applications will need to be prepared and approved.

Read the proposal and make a submission here.