Camden councillors remain silent on Harrington Park rezoning proposal for Towra Court and Davy Court
Southwest Sydney residents battling to save green space near their homes – a cause supported by the suburb’s founding developer – won’t have the backing of local councillors who have been hit with an apparent gag order.
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Southwest Sydney residents battling to save green space near their homes won’t have the backing of local councillors who refuse to support their fight at the same time the suburb’s founding developer backed calls to protect the original plans.
Furious Harrington Park residents are readying for war against Camden Council and developer Pristine Property after a proposal was lodged to change planning controls for 5 Towra Ct and 5-9 Davy Ct to accommodate more housing.
More than 640 people have signed a petition against a proposal to implement zoning changes from large lot residential to low-density residential with the minimum lot size shifting from 6000sq m to 600sq m, 1000sq m and 3000sq m blocks.
A report from the developer states the “gateway” site to Harrington Park has never optimised its “inherent urban potential” to provide a premium housing precinct.
The space in question was originally designated a green space never to be developed per the vision of the Fairfax family who developed the land in partnership with Harrington Estates.
Residents hoping to rally support against the changes won’t have their elected representatives in their corner, with attempts from this masthead to speak to councillors’ on the issue being met by a wall of silence as a result of an apparent gag order originating from Camden Council itself.
This publication also tried to reach Camden Council’s nine councillors for comment on the issue but multiple calls, voicemails and text messages were not returned despite contact details for each councillor being publicly available on the council’s website.
Cr Eva Campbell was the only councillor to answer her phone but refused to comment on the Harrington Park proposal which was recently on public exhibition.
Camden Council’s media team attempted to speak on behalf of councillors by using planning legislation as an excuse despite being unable to highlight specific wording allegedly prohibiting councillors from commenting on issues directly impacting their constituents.
“Councillors are contactable on matters at any time,” a council spokesman said.
“With regards to the [specific] planning proposal … because the matter is to be brought to council for a decision, councillors are unable to comment on the proposal at this time other than to say it is currently being assessed by council officers, as per the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.”
Harrington Park resident Belinda Hobman has lived in Towra Court for more than 15 years. She worried about the destruction of green space, lack of infrastructure, and increased traffic if the proposal got a green light.
Ms Hobman is helping lead the push from residents against the proposal and urged people to make submissions to council even though the public exhibition period had ended.
“Council has told us they will still accept submissions until the council meeting and that it definitely won’t come up until next year,” she said.
“It’s disappointing to think you build a place or move into a place because you love the area and things like the green area, but then you have to fight to keep what you bought in to.”
Ms Hobman is one of more than 700 members on a social media group called ‘Keep Harrington Park Green’.
Members have organised a meeting with Camden State Labor MP Sally Quinnell and are contacting Macarthur Federal Labor MP Mike Freelander in a bid to fight back.
Ms Hobman said she had spoken with one Camden councillor who said speaking publicly would mean abstaining on a vote on the proposal next year.
Ms Hobman said the stance from councillors was frustrating.
“I think it’s really bizarre because you think they would be the people who would be listening to us,” Ms Hobman said.
“I think they should make their views known, you were voted in to support people and to back what you think is right.”
Key developer speaks out over plans
The silence from councillors came as the man behind the original vision for Harrington Park said any development of green space would be a disappointment.
Harrington Estates managing director Terry Goldacre worked closely with Lady Mary Fairfax in the 1990s to help plan the Harrington Park community and bring the family’s vision to life.
That vision, Mr Goldacre said, included strict planning rules to preserve green spaces throughout the precinct.
“We were the original developers of the estate and, at the time, there were a number of parcels where housing was restricted to preserve bushland,” Mr Goldacre said.
“The Fairfax family had a vision for the estate and our plans were created in accordance with that vision.
“Camden Council – and us – agreed to preserve that little knoll and planted it out with vegetation.
“We were very clear that area would have development restricted which would enable the preservation of bushland and that was reflected in the planning rules.
“Green space is a key feature of the estate and it would be a disappointment to see it developed.”