Meriton proposal for 42-storey towers at Macquarie Park awaits NSW Planning Department ruling

Ryde Mayor Jerome Laxale has called on Ryde MP Victor Dominello to “take all steps” to ensure the government puts an end to the controversial Meriton towers plan for Macquarie Park.

Meriton's revised Macquarie Park proposal which includes three 42-storey towers, down from the original plan of 63 storeys at 112 Talavera Road.

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Meriton’s controversial plan for a 42-storey towers development at Macquarie Park hangs in the balance as the State Government awaits Ryde Council’s recommendation to refuse it.

Ryde Labor Mayor Jerome Laxale has written to the Ryde State Liberal MP Victor Dominello, calling on him to “take all steps” to ensure the State Government puts an end to the high-rise proposal — which would have reaped $78 million in community benefits — for 112 Talavera Rd by December 31.

It came after the council unanimously rejected it at an extraordinary meeting last Tuesday night, despite late amendments in heights from 63 storeys down to three towers of 42 storeys and one 13-storey building.

Ryde Mayor Jerome Laxale.

“Council received more than 400 submissions on this matter, of which the vast majority were against the planning proposal due to a range of concerns including traffic congestion, inadequate supporting infrastructure and loss of local amenity and character,” Cr Laxale said.

“People in Ryde are sick of State Government-enabled overdevelopment in Ryde. Priority precincts, the Medium Density Housing Code (MDHC) and State-Government stacked planning panels are signs that they will continue to target Ryde despite considerable objections by the community.”

Mr Dominello hit back at Cr Laxale over the tight deadline he had set for the State Government to make a determination on the plan.

“The Mayor had 12 months to consider this proposal but now gives the Department of Planning 12 days before the Mayor launches a ratepayer-funded media campaign to promote his political interests,” the Finance Minister said.

“I am fed up with these games. That’s why I have asked the Greater Sydney Commission to undertake a review of planning in the Ryde Council area, with preliminary recommendations due in February next year.”

Strong opposition to Meriton plan: Ryde MP Victor Dominello at the site of the proposed Meriton development at Macquarie Park.

The Planning Department told the Northern District Times it was awaiting correspondence from Ryde Council in relation to its recommendation on the Meriton plan. Ryde Council said it had already sent it.

“Once formally advised, the department will carry out a thorough assessment, considering all matters raised by council, the community and public agencies, to determine whether the proposal should proceed,” a department spokesman said.

The Meriton towers proposal area in Macquarie Park, shaded in red.

“Timing will depend on the work involved in carrying out a thorough assessment.”

Urban Taskforce CEO Chris Johnson labelled council’s decision a “sad day for Ryde and Macquarie Park”.

“It was a proposal that made so much sense and ticked all the planning boxes,” the former NSW government architect said. “And when you take into account the voluntary planning agreement with affordable housing and Section 94 funds to the State Government, the total contribution back to the community was going to be $78 million.

“So that’s now gone after the council rejected it on politically motivated and emotional grounds.

“It could still be overruled (by the state government’s planning panel), but Victor Dominello’s interference means it’s not going to be as objective in the whole assessment process.”