Camden Council criticises draft masterplan for new community

CAMDEN Council has criticised aspects of a new greenfields community near Oran Park, slamming the proposed dwelling density levels, lack of open space and potential 125sq m lot sizes.

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CAMDEN Council has criticised aspects of a draft masterplan for a new community of about 20,000 people bordering The Northern Rd, near Oran Park.

The council has slammed the proposed density levels, lack of open space and potential 125sq m lot sizes of the 517ha Lowes Creek Maryland precinct.

An artist’s impression of the draft masterplan of the Lowes Creek Maryland Precinct.

The masterplan for the community, located about 10km from the future Western Sydney Aerotropolis, proposes a village similar in size to Oran Park with a K-12 school, town centre, sporting fields, apartments and townhouses.

The council submission advocated for a reduction in the proposed dwelling density levels, currently 26.3 dwellings per hectare, which is significantly higher than other developments in the local government area and more than 160 per cent higher than Gregory Hills.

The draft precinct masterplan features about 7000 homes, a K-12 school and 12 sporting fields.

Council also raised concerns about the potential for dwellings plots to be as small as 125sq m, a 5ha shortfall in open space and heritage aspects of the development.

Camden Liberal Mayor Peter Sidgreaves welcomed the proposal although he supported the council submission and its concerns.

“I think it’s a very good development over a large section of land,” Cr Sidgreaves said.

“I do feel many of the concerns raised (in the council report) are valid, but I don’t think they are show stoppers.”

More than 60ha of open space is proposed for the site.

Former Camden Liberal mayor Lara Symkowiak agreed with the council’s report and said it was important to remember the development had been a long time in the making.

“I think we need to remember this was earmarked for urban development about 13 years ago, in 2005, by the Department of Planning,” Cr Symkowiak said.

Camden Labor Cr Cindy Cagney condemned the draft masterplan and said she lacked faith that council’s submission would be considered by the Planning Department.

“I am really concerned with this development, in one way disappointed more than anything,” Cr Cagney said.

“I don’t think they (Planning Department) will do anything with our submission. I think they will ignore it.

“This is a flick and tick exercise and nothing more and it’s a damn shame for Camden.”

An artist impression of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

Brett Whitworth, the deputy secretary planning and design at the Planning and Environment Department, previously said the draft precinct masterplan would deliver an attractive, vibrant community.

“On the doorstop of Western Sydney Airport and Aerotropolis, Lowes Creek Maryland will be a vibrant community, with up to 7000 homes, made up of houses, terraces, townhouses and low-rise apartments to cater to everyone,” Mr Whitworth said.

Macarthur Developments, the current developers of Emerald Hills estate in Leppington, lodged the Lowes Creek Maryland proposal.

Labor Cr Ashleigh Cagney and independent Crs Eva Campbell and Rob Mills were not at the meeting.