Shepherds Bay and Meadowbank area poised for 3,504 homes

The former industrial area of Meadowbank and south Ryde is being transformed into a high-density hub over the next few years and its impact will be far-reaching.

An artists impression of stages two and three of the Holdmark project at Shepherds Bay

• Meadowbank foreshore mushrooms

The former industrial area of Meadowbank and south Ryde is being transformed into a high-density hub over the next few years and its impact will be far-reaching.

The projects displayed on this graphic provide 3504 new homes, which will bring an estimated 10,000 new residents to the shores of the picturesque bay on Parramatta River.

The biggest residential building project in the northern district accounts for most of the homes.

It is the protagonist for major consequences for schools, transport and other infrastructure.

In a series of reports over the next few weeks, the Times will examine the needs and impacts of this booming area — south of Constitution Rd and bound by the rail line and Church St — and talk to key figures about the future.

The area has historically been industrial. Its location by the river was convenient for boats carrying materials.

Only a few factories and garages from this blue-collar heritage remain.

The State Government’s rezoning of the area in 2003 instigated the shift to high-density residential.

Since then developers have been drawing plans.

An artists impression of a planned building at Porter St, Ryde, one of many for the area

Developer Holdmark has the biggest of these. In 2013 it gained approval for about 2100 homes, mostly in the area south of Constitution Rd. Its multi-site project is only in its early stages.

Resident Rob Renew, who is president of the Meadowbank-West Ryde Progress Association, has watched with interest.

In 2011, 4483 people lived in the area from the railway line to Church St and Victoria Rd to the river, according to Census figures.

Mr Renew has kept track of approved plans and estimates 10,000 people will live in the homes to be built over the next five years.

That is almost the population of a small town like Kiama, which has its own schools, small hospitals, playing fields, and childcare centres.

Mr Renew does not see these plans in place for Meadowbank.

“What is missing is a whole lot of infrastructure for community and commercial use,” he said. “That is what stands out to me.

“We don’t have anything like the infrastructure that population would expect.”

A Ryde Council spokeswoman told the Northern District Times plans were in place.

She said the redevelopment of the area had been guided by transport and urban design studies, as well as the Ryde Development Control Plan 2014.

The Holdmark development would be central to the revitalisation of the area, she said.

The Government and the council require Holdmark to provide infrastructure as part of its project, including a community centre and open space to allow people to walk from Constitution Rd to the river.

Road measures include intersection­ upgrades at Bowden St and Constitution Rd, Hamilton Cres and Nancarrow Ave, and Yerong and Belmore St.