Frenchs Forest rezoning: Council calls for more commitment on transport and community space

The NSW Government must commit to improved transport, traffic and community services at a proposed new town centre on the northern beaches, the council has urged

State planning boffins need to commit to improved public transport, roads and community open space in and around the proposed new Frenchs Forest town centre, Northern Beaches Council says.

And the council has urged the NSW Government to reveal more about how the new infrastructure will be paid for.

The pleas come as part of the council’s submission — endorsed at its Tuesday night meeting — to draft plans for a “reinvigorated” town centre and a radical rezoning of parts of Frenchs Forest, released in July.

It proposes at least 2000 new homes, including apartment blocks up to 12 storeys, for the first stage of the town centre designed to incorporate the new Northern Beaches Hospital.

This “Frenchs Forest Place Strategy 2041” was needed to allow the area to support a predicted population growth of 39,000 new residents by 2036, the government said. There would be 1000 new homes, ranging from townhouses, terraces and apartments in the proposed new town centre and another 1000 in adjacent residential areas.

There is provision for aged care dwellings as well as 250 homes for key workers such as nurses and paramedics.

If the plan gets the go-ahead, there will be 1.5 hectares of new public open space including a 1665sq m plaza. The council will receive $6.16m from the government to upgrade three local parks – Brick Pitt Reserve, Akora Reserve and Rabbett Reserve.

The strategy also confirms that state planners want to bulldoze The Forest High School and rebuild it in Allambie Heights.

While the council says it broadly supports the government’s draft rezoning package, it is calling on it to commit to more public transport infrastructure, including a transport interchange on Warringah Rd and improved bus services such as increasing the capacity of the 166 service between Dee Why and Chatswood, via Frenchs Forest.

Mayor Michael Regan said the council also wanted clarity around developers helping pay for public infrastructure such as a new neighbourhood centre, which has to be provided by the council, and how a proposed “community hub” would be funded.

The council submission said the issue of “traffic and transport infrastructure has not been adequately resolved”.

It pointed out that the government’s modelling data showed that the local road network would reach full capacity once 70 per cent of the town centre was built.

“It is essential that the growth of Frenchs Forest is matched by the required transport infrastructure … “ the submission stated.

The council also suggested improvements to local road intersections and widening much of Frenchs Forest Rd and Naree Rd to improve traffic flows.

Mr Regan said the increased housing density in and around the town centre would “protect surrounding areas from overdevelopment”.

“Since Frenchs Forest was identified as a strategic centre by the State Government, Council has been advocating for infrastructure that not only matches the planned growth but is put in place beforehand.

A graphic from the new Frenchs Forest town centre proposal. Picture: NSW Government

“However, prior to finalisation of the rezoning, we would like to see commitments on additional transport infrastructure, clarity around Development Contributions to help fund infrastructure, and written confirmation that the land for the town centre open space and Police Station will be transferred free of cost to Council,” Mr Regan said.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes said in July that “this strategy outlines how we can help fast-track approximately 2,000 new homes and provide the infrastructure and services needed.”

To view the draft strategy visit planning.nsw.gov.au/frenchsforest