Camden Council empowered to fast-track delivery of 30,000 homes in South Creek West
The delivery of a whopping 30,000 homes is set to be fast-tracked in Sydney’s southwest with the local council to take the lead following a Planning Department policy shift.
Macarthur
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Camden Council has been given extra powers to fast-track the delivery of 30,000 new homes, set to single-handedly double the population of the local government area.
A shift in State Government policy will accelerate development in areas such as the South Creek West precinct, a sprawling 2300ha site stretching along either side of The Northern Rd from Oran Park to Bringelly.
The area, released for housing by the government in 2017, will become the suburban heartland for the incoming Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
The Department of Planning website says Camden Council will lead planning on the 1500ha site.
“Sydney’s population is growing rapidly and this is our plan to fast-track the creation
of great new places, from Camden to Crows Nest, Wilton to Westmead,” Planning Minister Rob Stokes said.
A Camden Council spokeswoman said council would have a bigger role in the rezoning of the precinct, in collaboration with the State Government.
“Under this pathway, council will have a more active role in delivering and rezoning of precincts with the Planning Department, as well as co-ordinating the resolution of complex issues involving other public agencies,” she said.
“Council is working with the department to further clarify how precincts within this pathway will be delivered, including governance arrangements, time frames and resources.”
It is understood Camden Council will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure the precinct is delivered swiftly.
Camden Liberal MP Peter Sidgreaves welcomed the policy shift.
“The new approach to precinct planning will empower local councils to plan for their local communities, who they know best,” he said.
Macarthur Developments general manager Stephen McMahon, who is leading the development of a 477ha in the South Creek West precinct, also praised the new approach.
“I certainly welcome the policy shift and what I welcome more so is an acknowledgment that there is a desperate need to accelerate land release in Camden,” he said.
“I also a greater role for Camden Council. They are on the ground, they are in the community, they know the issues that are faced out here.”
Mr McMahon said he was hopeful of the 477ha site, known as Lowes Creek Maryland, would be rezoned by April next year.