Epping unit blocks: $106m residential towers at Epping Bowling Club site
Plans for five apartment towers next to a bowling club site have been revealed – leading to fears of the loss of green recreational space. SEE THE PLANS IN FULL
Northern District Times
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There are fears for the future of a bowling club site after the release of $106 million plans for a major residential development in Sydney’s northwest.
The proposed four eight-storey and one five-storey towers will feature a staggering 321 apartments between them.
Community fears have been raised over the lack of infrastructure to keep up with an influx of new residents.
The release of the plans has also lead to fears for the future of the former Epping Bowling Club site which was promised to remain for the public.
The site would feature a rooftop garden, decking and barbecue area, park views in the south and a possible link to nearby Forest Park, the plans lodged by Austino Epping 2 Pty Ltd reveal.
Just 500m from Epping station, it would also include two basement carparks with a total of 266 spaces.
It comes just months after the same developer filed another DA proposal for high rise residential towers up to 20 storeys on the former Tuffy Muffler and Epping Bowling Club.
The plans were met with community backlash and they were eventually rejected by the Sydney Central City Planning Panel last November.
While the current DA doesn’t include any changes to the former bowling club site, also owned by the developers, community group Epping Civic Trust said it was worried about long term intentions.
The Trust has also questioned how Parramatta Council will be ensuring the former bowling site remains for public recreation.
“The developer could still seek to rezone it for residential in the future which Epping residents strongly oppose,” the Trust’s president Janet McGarry said.
“This site is the only substantial piece of open space in this increasingly high density area.
“We have lobbied and will continue to lobby, for the state government and council to seek ownership of this space and use it for public open space/recreation. The Covid crisis has highlighted the strain parks and open space has been under with greatly increased usage.”
The Trust is also calling on the council to protect a row of mature trees set to be chopped down for construction.
“There is substantial tree loss proposed. Most concerning is a row of mature trees on the boundary with Forest Park, which is a heritage park.
“We call on council to oppose their removal and give them further protection.”
Commenting on the design of the blocks, Ms McGarry said “Whilst it looks to be substantially compliant (compared to the last planning proposal) it is incredibly boring. Is this really design excellence? Can’t we do better for our high density areas?”
In order to ensure the future of the former bowling club site, Parramatta councillor Donna Davis called for the state government to purchase the public recreation space.
“In line with the State Government’s new vision for open space and parklands, this is a perfect opportunity for the State Government to purchase the public recreation portion of this site and expand the existing Forest Park for the benefit of our Epping community,” Cr Davis said.
An Austino Property Group spokesman said the DA does not include plans for the former bowling club site.
“The visually prominent and largest redevelopment site in Epping Town Centre has been vacant and fenced for almost two years,” he said.
In response to public complains over a lack of infrastructure he added, “Austino worked with Main Roads to widen Epping Road to assist in addressing the traffic flowing better through Epping.
“Austino is pleased to be able to increase the levels of housing supply in proximity to Epping station, with walking access to heavy rail and metro infrastructure.
“With a capital expenditure of some $110m Austino is pleased, that in these uncertain and unprecedented times, to aid in the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
A Parramatta Council spokeswoman said the DA for the site was lodged on July 13 and that council was in the reviewing process.
“The DA does not include the former Epping Bowling Club site (725 Blaxland Road, Epping), which is zoned RE1 Public Recreation.
“Council is currently undertaking a review of additional open space opportunities in Epping, including this site.
“Council understands the importance of open space to meet the needs of the City’s growing population and welcomes community feedback on critical infrastructure.”