Independent planning panel endorse Chinese developer Dahua Group’s bold Menangle Park vision
Chinese-backed developer Dahua Group’s bold super-sized-plans for Menangle Park, complete with high-rise apartment towers, have been given the thumbs up by independent planning experts.
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Independent planning experts have endorsed Chinese-backed developer Dahua Group’s super-sized plans for the rolling paddocks of rural Menangle Park.
The bold vision, which would pave the way for high density apartment towers and a 55 per cent rise in the number of homes, 3400 to 5250, were ultimately endorsed by the three-man panel.
The panel, which included global mining group Rio Tinto’s general manager of property development Keith Dedden, called for a small number of changes such as improved environmental protections.
No such concerns were found for the proposed high density zoning.
The panel stated that Dahua Group’s plans, if the changes were adopted, had strategic merit.
Dahua Group development director Kith Clark had previously told the panel a “tier one design team” had been working on the Menangle Park masterplan which would deliver “density in the right locations.’’
“Menangle Park is Dahua’s flagship and most important project in Sydney,” he said.
“Our vision for Menangle Park is to create a thriving and active local community.”
Community opposition for the development is building with retirees Patricia and Barry Durman, who live nearby, voicing their opposition to the plan.
“Our hospital cannot cope,” Mrs Durman said. “The Department of Education has already said our schools are at capacity. We don’t have enough carparking. Everything here is breaking down.”
Camden business owner Steve Wisbey said the community was cautious of the Chinese developer’s plans for its turf.
“It’s not going to be a charming little hamlet anymore,” he said.
“It’ll just be another suburb of Campbelltown.”
Some of the panel’s recommendations included environmental zoning for area bordering the Nepean River and where the critically endangered Elderslie Banksia Scrub was found.
It also called on Dahua Group to enter an agreement with Campbelltown Council to fund infrastructure in the area and prioritise the early delivery of public transport.