Figtree Hill, Lendlease: vision for 1700 homes at Mt Gilead forwarded to NSW Planning

Ambitious plans by property developer Lendlease for a new 1700 home community in Sydney’s southwest have been forwarded to NSW Planning following the first approval from council. SEE THE VISION HERE.

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Plans by Lendlease to create a bustling new town with 1700 homes in Sydney’s southwest have been given their first tick of approval by Campbelltown Council, which has forwarded vision for Mt Gilead to NSW Planning for Gateway Determination.

The major, multimillion-dollar greenfield development, dubbed Figtree Hill Estate by Lendlease Communities, proposes the construction of 1700 homes ranging from detached dwellings to apartment complexes, a network of public parklands and a new town centre made up of 4000sq m of commercial space across 216ha.

What the new community at Mt Gilead could look like.

Lendlease planners outlined major lots for a potential school adjacent to a new neighbourhood centre at the heart of the precinct.

“Lendlease’s next generation masterplanned community will be defined by its unique blend of cleared pasture land and stunning untouched bushland,” the Lendlease planner said. “Gilead provides a spectacular natural setting within a rich oasis for living.

“Its regional location is embedded at the centre of a vast range of experiences from rivers to beaches, foodie hubs, education, adventure and more.”

The planner said the new masterplan will increase open space from 13 hectares to 33 hectares to “allow the delivery of iconic open space” and increase access to Gilead homestead.

A Campbelltown Council planner said the proposal was designed to “achieve a better outcome for the Mt Gilead Urban Release Area”.

“The Planning Proposal aims to provide for an increased diversity in dwelling types in a contemporary green field environment,” he said. “(And) enhance the protect of sensitive ecological communities, including endangered and critically endangered species.”

Green space and protected environmental corridors will act as a natural network across the new suburb.

However, original blueprints for the masterplanned community, rezoned by the NSW Government in 2017, have been modified to reduce the number of detached dwellings and increase apartment complexes.

A NSW Planning delegate will assess the major greenfield development for Gateway Determination.

The Save Mount Gilead action group, which has long objected to plans to redevelop the greenfield site, was contacted for comment.