Department of Planning outlines Wilton infrastructure plans

INFRASTRUCTURE will be provided for the Macarthur region’s newest housing development at Wilton.

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INFRASTRUCTURE will be provided for the Macarthur region’s newest housing development at Wilton.

That’s the message emanating from the Department of Planning and Environment after Friday’s announcement that the Wilton South East precinct had been rezoned, paving the way for Walker Corporation to develop the area.

Wilton South East forms part of the larger Wilton plan which will eventually see the area house a population greater than Port Macquarie.

Wollondilly Council blasted the decision in a statement last Friday, claiming the infrastructure plan for Wilton South East failed to address the needs of future development.

But a department spokeswoman said planning for Wilton had taken into account the need for infrastructure to be provided alongside development.

Artist’s impression of the Wilton South East precinct.

“Infrastructure for South East Wilton will be provided at no cost to government. A Voluntary Planning agreement with the Walker Corporation for this precinct provides certainty that funding for essential infrastructure will be provided at the same time as homes are constructed,” she said.

“The Wilton Interim Land Use and Infrastructure Implementation Plan (LUIIP) identifies infrastructure required to support the new Wilton community.

“A Special Infrastructure Contribution (SIC) is also being prepared for the Wilton Growth Area to ensure all the key infrastructure identified in the LUIIP is funded by developers.

The plan for the Wilton South East precinct.

“The SIC will include land for a health care centre and the Department is in discussions with the proponents for both Wilton North and Wilton Town Centre about a potential hospital site.

“The SIC will also include provision for bus facilities at Wilton New Town.

“The department is also working closely with Transport for NSW to ensure that urban bus services will be provided to ensure that residents in the initial stages of Wilton’s development have access to public transport.”

The spokeswoman said the Department of Planning had been in constant contact with Wollondilly Council since it was declared as a growth area by the State Government in 2016.

“Planning for the Wilton area has been underway since it was nominated by Council as a Priority Housing Proposal in 2011,” she said.

“The department has worked closely with the landowner Walker Corporation, Wollondilly Shire Council, Transport for NSW and other state agencies to ensure this new community in South East Wilton is supported by essential infrastructure now rezoning can occur and homes in this new suburb be built.”

Sydney's newest town. Please find artists impressions of Wilton plan attached.

The spokeswoman said environmental concerns had been overcome by a number of strategies to protect endangered ecosystems and the local koala population.

“More than 160 hectares of highly significant biodiversity land will be conserved in this precinct, including Cumberland Plain Shale Woodland and Shale Sandstone Transition Forest,” the spokeswoman said.

“A large, well-connected reserve network along the Nepean River and Allens Creek corridor has been protected and will allow koala movements, helping to ensure the Wollondilly and Macarthur koala colonies continue to thrive.

“The developer will need to comply with State Environmental Planning Policy No 44 -Koala Habitat Protection (SEPP 44) when preparing a development application.

“In addition to land protected in the environmental conservation area for koala habit and corridors, koala fencing and additional safe crossing points of Picton Rd are part of the overall precinct plan, through requirements on the development of land adjacent to Allens Creek.”

Details on the plan for Wilton are available here.