Infrastructure deal in place for Mt Gilead

The next step towards the development of Mt Gilead, near Appin has gone ahead after Campbelltown Council endorsed a voluntary planning agreement (VPA) with developer Lendlease this week.

Land at Mt Gilead will be developed into a new housing estate.

• Campbelltown’s plan to become Australia’s greenest city

The next step towards the development of Mt Gilead, near Appin has gone ahead after Campbelltown Council endorsed a voluntary planning agreement (VPA) with developer Lendlease this week.

The agreement will see Lendlease provide more than $56.2 million worth of infrastructure within the community.

The company is also working on a regional VPA with the NSW Government to help fund the Appin Rd upgrade.

Lendlease general manager communities NSW/ACT Arthur Ilias said the agreement ensured infrastructure would be provided from the start of the development.

“It will allow for a range of land dedications and delivery of works, such as a community centre, open space and parkland areas, bushland restoration, drainage infrastructure and roads,” he said.

Campbelltown Mayor George Brticevic said the VPA ensured infrastructure would be delivered alongside the development.

Some local residents have opposed the development of Mt Gilead. Picture: Annika Enderborg)

Under the VPA, $29.9 million will be provided for open space and recreation, $2.3 million for community facilities and $11.7 million for stormwater management.

Lendlease will put $12.3 million into the local road network.

The VPA will now go out on public exhibition for comment from the community.

Campbelltown Council will also work with government agencies to establish three east-west primary natural asset corridors in the Mt Gilead Urban Release Area.

They hope to create three fauna and koala overpasses along Appin Rd with fauna exclusion fencing to protect local wildlife.

Campbelltown wildlife activist Ricardo Lonza, who has long campaigned for protection measures, told the council meeting the protection measures were desperately needed.

“Wildlife must be able to get from A to B,” he said.

“I’ve had to remove many dead koalas from Appin Rd.

Wildlife activist Ricardo Lonza has been a vocal proponent of wildlife crossings on Appin Rd. Picture: Carmela Roche

“And we know there are other animals crossing that we must protect.”

Mr IIlias

“The environment remains a key consideration for planning in South Campbelltown,” he said.

“Lendlease supports Council’s position to continue to work with land owners and NSW Government agencies to understand fauna behaviour in the area and to guide land use planning to achieve a balanced outcome.”