Carlingford: Kingsdene estate could have higher density housing under GPOP plan
A northwest Sydney suburb choking with overflowing schools could soon buckle under more pressure and inadequate infrastructure because of a flawed government document.
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A family-friendly Carlingford neighbourhood is earmarked to morph into a multi-storey enclave.
According to Parramatta Councillor Andrew Jefferies this is because of an “unnecessary layer of bureaucracy” forced on to a council that already has the highest number of housing approving rates in NSW.
Plans for more higher density housing in the Carlingford’s Kingsdene estate have been highlighted under the Greater Sydney Commission’s recent report into development along the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula (GPOP).
The commission, which was created by the State Government, produced the report, called the Place-based Infrastructure Compact, to manage growth in the 13km GPOP site from Westmead to Strathfield and Carlingford to Lidcombe.
The original site was 3500 hectares in 2017 but the updated version almost doubled to 6000ha and takes in Carlingford from west of Baker St to Bettington Rd.
The expansion has prompted Cr Jefferies to attack his own party’s plan because shifted boundaries will build multi-storey dwellings in a quiet area away from public transport in an R2 (low residential area) away from where the Parramatta Light Rail will stop at Carlingford when it opens in 2023.
“All that area in Kingsdene is 99 per cent, single dwelling R2=zoned,” he said.
“People buy in the Kingsdene estate because they want to send their kids to Carlingford West and James Ruse High instead of buy an apartment.
“I’ve got no problem with densities when you’re looking at homes being within walking distance of the future light rail.
“At the end of the day, the homes in that area and the lot sizes have always been R2 housing, family-friendly living.”
Carlingford’s units are concentrated near the train station.
Cr Jefferies slammed the GPOP report and treatment towards Parramatta Council after a recent meeting it had with commission staff over the plans.
“Essentially speaking, it’s not a credible document, particularly when their own staff can’t even provide a reason why that area was touched,’’ he said.
He said the commission’s plan showed it failed to understand Carlingford and the Parramatta council area.
By 2023, an extra 22,100 homes are forecast to be built in the local government area – the highest in NSW. Parramatta also topped the state for extra dwellings from 2013 to 2018 when 16,450 homes were built.
“You can’t argue that there hasn’t been an effort by council to increase density close to significant public transport and what those guys (the commission) is saying is that we haven’t done enough,’’ Cr Jefferies said.
“They’re unelected bureaucrats and they think they know better.
“Essentially, I think it’s an additional layer of bureaucracy that I don’t think is necessary.’’
He said Carlingford West Public School was already at capacity with 1400 students and there were no plans to add classrooms.
Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee said he was not aware of the boundary changes to affect Carlingford but opposed higher densities in Kingsdene.
“It surprises me that they would consider those areas to be higher density where they don’t have proper transport,” he said.
“Without sewing the details, it would be wrong of me to comment but places like Kingsdene should not have higher densities.”
Submissions to the GPOP report close today and the council is due to discuss the matter at tonight’s meeting.