Labor to scrap housing targets in Macarthur region

Labor has set the ‘overdevelopment’ of the Macarthur region in its sights as it looks to attract local votes ahead of the state election.

Campbelltown Labor MP Greg Warren, Opposition Planning Spokeswoman Tania Mihailuk and Camden Labor candidate Sally Quinell.

• 175 not out for Camden Cricket Club

Labor has set the ‘over-development’ of the Macarthur region in its sights as it looks to attract local votes ahead of the state election.

On a recent visit to the Macarthur region Labor Planning Spokeswoman Tania Mihailuk said a Labor Government would launch a review into the planning precincts identified by the Greater Sydney Commission.

Ms Mihailuk said the Greater Sydney Commission’s housing targets were unfair on Western Sydney suburbs.

“We will scrap these so called planning precincts that the Liberal Government have smothered Western Sydney with,” she said.

The Greater Sydney Commission's map of the Western City of Sydney.

“If you look at the Premier’s own backyard; areas like Hunters Hill have a target of 150, Mosman the target is 300 and Willoughby 1200.

“Lets compare that to Camden which has a target of 12,000 and Campbelltown which has a target of almost 7000 so the disparity is really clear and its unfair on local residents.”

The Greater Sydney Commission has also set a housing target of 8650 new dwellings between Glenfield and Minto.

Ms Mihailuk said Labor would initiate a review of growth in the region.

“We will direct the GSC to go back to the drawing board and consult with their communities and local councils,” she said.

Campbelltown state Labor MP Greg Warren said the region needed to see more infrastructure put in place before new residents move in.

Macquarie Fields MP Anoulack Chanthivong and Ms Mihailuk with residents opposed to over-development.

“We haven’t seen any new projects started out this way since the previous Labor government, thankfully the current government did follow through with the existing projects but it’s not enough.”

Macquarie Fields state Labor MP Anoulack Chanthivong said a recent survey conducted by his office showed residents between Glenfield and Minto were concerned about over development.

“People don’t want more congestion or overcrowding and they are concerned about the loss of suburban character and the impact of overdevelopment on their quality of life,” he said.