Warwick Farm Racecourse: Total of 1465 new dwellings proposed for area
The historic Warwick Farm racing precinct could be transformed, with almost 1500 new homes, buildings as high as 15 storeys and a bypass road being proposed. But that’s not all. READ THE FULL PLAN.
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Sweeping plans to introduce high density, commercial space and community facilities near Warwick Farm railway station could see the areas surrounding the racing precinct turned into a vibrant new village.
A planning proposal and structure plan for an area of Warwick Farm, spanning 25ha, are now on public exhibition, with submissions to be considered by Liverpool Council before a decision is made on whether to endorse the plans.
The land is currently home to horse boarding and training facilities, ageing houses and a sporting oval, and has been the subject of multiple land use strategies and studies in the past.
Under this proposal, it would be rezoned to mixed use, high-density residential and public recreation, allowing for 1465 new dwellings and a population of about 3355 residents.
About 20,000 sqm of commercial land would also be generated.
The tallest building would be near the train station at 15 storeys, with eight-, five- and four-storey developments towards the east of the site.
More than 45,000 sqm of additional open space would also be provided, with the community to benefit from a new playground, three outdoor multi-purpose sportsfields, barbecues and picnic shelters, stormwater treatment facilities and tree planting.
One of the key features of the proposal is a bypass road around Rosedale Oval to divert trucks from the industrial precinct south of the site, providing heavy vehicles an alternative path to travelling through the precinct.
Liverpool councillor Nathan Hagarty said he was “broadly supportive” of introducing a mix of land uses to create a “little up-market village”.
“I think currently there’s a pretty dangerous planning conflict in the area. You’ve got people operating horse training businesses next to an industrial area,” he said.
Mr Hagarty said strappers were “risking their lives” daily moving horses to and from Warwick Farm Racecourse with dozens of trucks travelling through the area.
He said it was “incumbent” on the council to fix the planning conflict created decades ago.
“Strappers are trying to get horses across there and it’s dangerous, and we’re lucky there hasn’t been a serious accident yet.”
Horses could then be accommodated on the grounds of the racecourse, but Mr Hagarty said it was situation where “the Australian Turf Club (ATC) are waiting for us, we’re waiting for the ATC … everyone’s sort of sitting around waiting for each other.”
He said he had some concerns about the proposed location of the bypass road and pointed to other constraints including flooding considerations.
“I’m not completely happy with the plan as it stands, I think it needs a bit of work … but that’s why it’s on public exhibition.”
Submissions close at 5pm on October 12.