Two new schools and 2,500 new homes planned for Ingleside

DEVELOPERS are buying vacant land in Ingleside in anticipation of government rezoning that would allow the small Pittwater suburb to become another community the size of Warriewood Valley.

DEVELOPERS  have been buying large parcels of land in Ingleside in anticipation of a major rezoning that would create a new urban community the size of Warriewood Valley in Pittwater.

About 2500 new homes, two new public schools, shops, sports fields, upgraded roads and a new community centre are proposed for the semirural suburb.

Mirvac has optioned 10ha in South Ingleside – worth about $25 million and known as the Wilga/Wilson area – with the view to develop it, while Sunland has spent $12.2 million securing 6ha at 222 Powderworks Rd, Ingleside, and overseas developers have bought acreage in Chiltern Rd for $4.5 million.

A 1ha site at 212 Powderworks Rd is currently for sale. Duane Hunter of Hunter Estate Agents said it had attracted more than $6.5 million and was “earmarked for a residential rezoning”.

The State Government and Pittwater Council have been considering Ingleside for land release for years and the process is now gathering pace.

An Ingleside community reference group has been established, six community workshops have been held and a detailed map has been created with proposed areas of development and infrastructure upgrades.

The plans are expected to go on public exhibition in the middle of the year. Submissions will be considered before a report goes to the planning minister.

Rezoning could occur as early as the end of the year.

Two new schools are proposed, on Powderworks Rd and Mona Vale Rd near the Baha’i temple. An upgrade of Mona Vale Rd is proposed and a new neighbourhood centre and shopping village is planned for Lane Cove Rd.

Medium-density residential development is proposed for five main areas, while low-density residential development – one house per 0.4ha – is proposed for most of North Ingleside and much of South Ingleside.

Pittwater Council planning and assessment manager Andrew Piggott said the council wanted the new suburb to be a green community, with environmentally sensitive houses, bike and pedestrian pathways, communal fresh food gardens and a star rating from the Green Building Council.

Wilson Ave, Ingleside is earmarked for medium density housing.

The first developed area is expected to be Wilga/Wilson on the border of Ingleside and Elanora Heights, between Wilga St and Wilson Ave. It already has water, sewerage and electricity services in place.

Ingleside will be the largest land release on the northern beaches since Warriewood Valley, where about 2500 homes were built 15 years ago.

NEIGHBOURS DIVIDED ON REZONING

NEIGHBOURS  in Chiltern Rd, Ingleside both have their acreage properties for sale for around $4 million.

Both are in areas proposed for low-density housing but they have very different views on the proposed development.

Chris Cobaine, at number 11 Chiltern Rd, has run horses on his 2ha since his parents bought in 1979. He is something of a sceptic.

“My dad had a poster plan of Ingleside development back in the early 1980s,” he said.

“It was supposed to be announced last March, then before Christmas then May of this year ... I have never been for it.”

“It will be a shame to see it developed. Ingleside is a hidden secret, a little hideaway where you can jump on a horse and have a ride.”

Gilbert and Vaune Morgan, at number 13, believe the rezoning and development is long overdue.

“We have been here for 22 years,” Mr Morgan said.

“We have wallabies walking past the window. We don’t have town water or kerbs and guttering and we are half an hour from the harbour bridge. People have been waiting decades to have some certainty, to have some security.”

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

INGLESIDE has one of the smallest human populations on the northern beaches, but probably one of the biggest animal populations.

According to the census only 1,122 people live in Ingleside.

There are numerous equestrian centres, stables, doggie rescues, even the animal welfare league shelter is in Ingleside.

However it is the native animal population that has some locals worried.

David Palmer is a member of the Ingleside Community Reference Group, with a particular interest in the environment.

He said the undisturbed suburb between two large national parks has a number of endangered species, including the pigmy possum, the spotted-tail quoll and both a goanna and a frog.

“My big concern is that whatever happens is done properly,” he said.

Biodiversity certification is being investigated to protect threatened species and about 35 per cent of the land is proposed for conservation.

Locals who attended community workshops also highlighted the importance of biodiversity, vegetation corridors for native animals, low-density housing, sports fields and open space and for Ingleside to be an example of sustainable development.

Pittwater Council’s planning and assessment manager Andrew Piggott said the council would encourage home builders to be environmentally sensitive.

“We will encourage people to build without airconditioning,” he said.

“It is elevated up there and you will get great breezes.”