Mulpha Australia submits planning proposal to build 1800 homes in Menangle

Once the project is completed, the now rural block of land in Sydney’s west will be transformed into a new community with 1800 homes. Find out more about the plans.

A planning proposal could see hundreds of people call a village in Macarthur their home, but “initial advice” from staff is that the proposal might not be consistent with council’s vision for the region.

The proposal from Mulpha Australia is seeking to build approximately 1856 low and medium density houses in clusters in a rural setting and allow for new retail, commercial, educational and open space facilities.

The currently empty site of Mount Taurus is located at 65 Woodbridge Road, Menangle, and is within walking distance of the train station and adjacent to Menangle Village.

According to the Master Plan from Mulpha Australia, upon project completion, the site will deliver more than 110 hectares of open space including two major sporting ovals.

The report states it will also provide more than 700 ongoing local jobs in retail and commercial spaces with the provision for a Kindergarten to Year 12 education facility, university faculty and “Continued Learning” infrastructure.

“We recognise the significant rural landscape character and heritage of Menangle - it is its greatest asset,” a report submitted to council said.

“Despite Menangle’s strong foundations, fundamental services and amenities are lacking such as retail and commercial needs, a town square, local employment and a school.

“Some townsite expansion has been planned to the north and east comprising residential and tourism uses, but planning to date does not realise the full potential of the village. In this context, we believe there is a compelling case for the expansion of Menangle village west to connect and integrate with Mount Taurus.”

For the development to go ahead, amendments would need to be made to the land use zone, the minimum lot size requirements for subdivision, the maximum building height and removing land from the Menangle Landscape Conservation Area.

Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould said he wanted to make it clear that council officers had not assessed this proposal and elected councillors had not considered or formed a view on the proposal.

“This preliminary notification is about seeking important community feedback prior to the proposal being reported to council,” he said.

“We genuinely want to know what Wollondilly residents and business think about these amendments and I encourage everybody to have their say at this early stage of the process.

“Initial advice from staff is that this proposal is not consistent with council’s vision for Wollondilly, outlined in our Local Strategic Planning Statement Wollondilly 2040.”

An application map of the site at Mount Taurus where 1800 new homes could be built. Picture: Mulpha Australia

According to historical records, Mount Taurus was named by Governor Hunter when he travelled to the area in 1795.

Information on the draft planning proposal is available on Your Say Wollondilly, www.yoursay.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au.

The closing date for submissions is 1 June 2022. The outcome of the early feedback will be reported to the Wollondilly Shire Local Planning Panel for advice before council makes a decision.