Carlingford: Plans for Meriton units at Shirley St open to public feedback

An ‘unprecedented’ Meriton development in Sydney’s northwest has sparked fury among the community amid a housing crisis but a council has reluctantly backed the $45m proposal. Find out why.

Meriton is planning 620 units for 18 Shirley St and 263-273 Pennant Hills Rd at Carlingford.

A Meriton proposal for 620 units near the future Carlingford light rail line is shrouded in controversy but Parramatta Council has backed the $45m two-tower development so the community is not denied developer-provided infrastructure.

Fierce criticism for the planning proposal at 18 Shirley St and 263-273 Pennant Hills Rd was aired at the council meeting on Monday when objections were raised about its absence of affordable housing and extra traffic on the already-notorious black spot of Pennant Hills Rd.

Under a $27.5m voluntary planning agreement, Meriton would build a community centre, library and park for the public and residents living in the 29 storey and 18-storey blocks, where a 1500sq m supermarket and childcare centre are also proposed.

Carlingford resident of 44 years Mark Bernie criticised Meriton’s failure to provide 15 per cent affordable housing,“which our society so desperately needs”.

He is also concerned about the “huge” traffic flow into the Evans and Pennant Hills roads intersection from the Telopea redevelopment, where almost 5000 dwellings will be built.

The site in yellow could be home to a Meriton development with 620 apartments.

But despite the objections about overdevelopment and a shortage of schools, the council voted the project progress to gateway determination with the NSW Planning Department, which enables public feedback to begin.

Independent councillor Georgina Valjak feared the council would lose some control of the project and the developer’s hefty $27.5m infrastructure contribution if it rejected the units.

“Let’s face it, nobody wants to see those two buildings at the top of the hill,’’ she said.

“However, potentially what we’re faced with is an outcome that could be that units go ahead at 620 with absolutely no benefit to the community – and that’s a risk I am not comfortable taking …

“My biggest fear is that if we are to refuse this planning proposal, the developer is well within their rights to go straight to the state government.’’

Our Local Community councillor Michelle Garrard slammed the development for failing to allocate affordable units and hit out at its size.

“Twenty-nine storeys on Pennant Hills Rd at this point is unprecedented,’’ she said.

“The density in and around this area is 15 storeys – this is nearly double.’’

She said the council and public felt like “our hands are tied because we’re going to get the developments anyway’’ and believed it needed to support the VPA, which she labelled “inadequate’’.

However, the council’s city strategy manager Jennifer Concato said the need for a community centre was greater than affordable housing.

The site is part of a growth precinct.

Meriton acquired the site, which previously fell under the The Hills council, in 2021.

It lodged an appeal in the Land and Environment Court after Parramatta Council rejected the development application in 2022 but is now working on a solution with staff.

Addressing the council meeting, Meriton’s planning and government executive manager Matthew Lennartz said the site had “all the fundamentals” for a high density, mixed-use, transport-oriented development.

“Any minor issues are not insurmountable,’’ he said.

“The supporting VPA is reasonable and should be supported.’’

The council agreed to write to Transport for NSW to tackle potential traffic problems and for the chief executive to request an urgent meeting with Planning Minister Paul Scully.

All councillors except Henry Green voted for the motion. Councillor Phil Bradley abstained and Cr Pandey was not in the chamber at the time of voting.

The public can provide feedback on the proposal from early next year.