Push for development moratorium in Moorebank declined

Planning Minister Anthony Roberts has rejected residents’ pleas for a moratorium on high-rise development applications in Moorebank and surrounding areas.

The changing face of Moorebank and surrounding areas. Picture: Robert Pozo

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Planning Minister Anthony Roberts has rejected residents’ pleas for a moratorium on high-rise development in Moorebank and surrounding areas.

A community petition that amassed more than 500 signatures from residents concerned about overdevelopment was submitted to the NSW Legislative Assembly in December.

It called for a halt to the processing of development applications for high-rise buildings in Moorebank, Wattle Grove, Holsworthy and Hammondville until Liverpool Council completed its review of its Local Environmental Plan 2008 — a move supported by Holsworthy state Liberal MP Melanie Gibbons.

Residents are concerned about overdevelopment and a lack of infrastructure. Picture: Carmela Roche

The LEP is a framework that guides planning decisions. It was last updated in 2008 by a council administrator and is currently under review.

In a letter responding to the petition, Mr Roberts said: “As the land is zoned for high-density residential development, the government is not able to place a moratorium on the lodgement of development applications for high-density development in the Liverpool LGA.”

Ms Gibbons labelled it the “council’s mess”.

“To the best of my knowledge, the State Government hasn’t issued any other council areas in Sydney with a moratorium on development applications.

“It was a big ask but it was worth a try.”

In November, Ms Gibbons also called for a spot rezoning of land zoned as R4, which allows for high density, in Moorebank.

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“I have been calling for some time for Liverpool City Council to reduce the density of the R4 zoning in Moorebank, and am doing so again now. This could easily be initiated by Liverpool City Council at their next meeting,” she said.

Liverpool Council chief executive Kiersten Fishburn said the State Government had provided funding through the Western Sydney City Deal to fast-track the LEP review by a year.

“The final product is due in June 2020,” she said.

“The review of the Liverpool Local Environmental Plan 2008 is a fantastic opportunity for council to have a deep look at the planning controls that will guide the development of our city as it grows.

“More importantly, it’s a chance for us to listen to the needs and aspirations of our community for their home.”