Menangle land rezoned for new housing estate

Development of the first new homes in rural Menangle could start as early as this year.

An artist’s impression of a revamped Rotolactor and creamery at Menangle.

• Plans to make Menangle a “Hunter Valley-style” tourist destination

Development of the first new homes in rural Menangle could start as early as this year.

Developer Mirvac plans to lodge a development application shortly with Wollondilly Council for the first 100 homes of a proposed 350-home development after 40ha of land was rezoned by the NSW Government just before Christmas.

The development will also see the historic Menangle Rotolactor, known as the Camden Park Estate Central Creamery and Rotolactor, restored to its former glory by Mirvac and

landowners Benedict Industries and the Halfpenny family.

Toby Long, Mirvac’s general manager of residential development NSW, said the Rotolactor would form part of the developer’s plans to create a tourist hub in the new housing estate.

In a press release, Mirvac said the Rotolactor and new buildings surrounding it could be used for a variety of businesses such as markets, hotels, wine bars and other tourism drivers.

At its peak the Menangle Rotolactor would attract up to 2000 visitors a week and its milkshakes were a hit among locals. Picture: Camden Images Past and Present, an activity of Camden Library Service and Camden Historical Society

Mr Long said the rezoning was the first step towards creating a unique lifestyle destination in an area with existing transport infrastructure and within a short drive to other local services in Campbelltown.

“Mirvac, together with our partners, is developing an exciting vision for this unique destination and we are committed to further engaging with council and community to create a community that reflects the character of Menangle,” he said.

These days the rotolactor is in a state of disrepair. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“Our focus at this early stage has been to develop a plan that embraces the rural character of Menangle with appropriate housing and generous open space and guarantees the future of treasured heritage items such as the Camden Park Estate Central Creamery and Rotolactor. “This is something we have done with great success at Harold Park in Sydney where we restored and adapted the old tram depot to become Tramsheds.

“In doing so we not only created a new community heart for the 3000 residents at Harold Park but a favourite new foodie destination for the wider community.”

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Mirvac’s masterplan proposal also includes a children’s playground, fitness equipment, outdoor barbecues, seating and walks, and green buffer zones.