Government unveils plans for new town centre, homes at Camellia

IT’S an industrial eyesore in Sydney’s west, but the State Government has unveiled plans to turn it into a vibrant waterfront suburb home to 21,000 residents.

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A NEW primary school is part of plans for a new town centre at Camellia that will offer vast green spaces, restaurants and shops, and create about 5,000 new jobs.

The Department of Planning and Environment today unveiled its plans to transform the industrial area into a vibrant hub with waterfront parks and a promenade along the Parramatta River.

Public open space will make up one third of the town centre, including a riverfront park stretching 1.7 kilometres.

Rydalmere could seen be connected to Camellia via a river crossing.

“The town centre will be a buzzing hub for this new community, and housing will be provided to suit a variety of budgets and people at different life stages,” the department’s deputy secretary of growth, design and programs, Brendan Nelson, said.

“We will also ensure there is sufficient tree canopy and new open spaces throughout the town centre including plazas, parks and playing fields, and public access to the river.”

Residents will have all the conveniences of city living with up to 10,000 new homes close to education, recreation, shops and entertainment, and close to jobs in key centres — Geoff Lee MP

The planned Parramatta light rail will stop in the heart of the town centre, connecting residents to jobs at Parramatta, Westmead and Sydney Olympic Park.

There will also be a new bridge crossing over Duck River to Silverwater and the potential of another bridge crossing over Parramatta River to Rydalmere at the eastern end of the town centre.

Playing fields which double as active recreation space are a feature of the plan.

The department prepared the draft Camellia Town Centre Master Plan in consultation with a number of stakeholders, including Parramatta Council and landowners, to guide development for the next 20 to 30 years.

Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee said the plan would breathe new life into the precinct.

“This part of our city is growing and the NSW Government is ensuring the infrastructure, both economic and social, is being built to support this expansion with the game-changing light rail on the way,” Mr Lee said.

“Residents will have all the conveniences of city living with up to 10,000 new homes close to education, recreation, shops and entertainment, and close to jobs in key centres.”

Parramatta Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson welcomed the plans for Camellia town centre, in the north west of the precinct.

The peninsula, bounded by Parramatta and Duck rivers, has a long industrial heritage.

“I am very much looking forward to the delivery of these plans that will create a healthy, connected community and protect and enhance the natural environment by unlocking the Parramatta River foreshore for the public with pedestrian and cycle access and links to the Parramatta Valley Cycleway,” he said.

Future infrastructure needs — including a potential future primary school accommodating up to 1000 students — are being considered by the department.

The draft plan is on display until March 29 and can be viewed at planning.nsw.gov.au/camellia

The department promises a ‘buzzing’ town centre.

FAST FACTS

● Transforming 40ha of industrial land into a new town centre

● 13 ha of public open space including an 8.4-hectare riverfront park, stretching 1.7km

● Future population of approximately 21,000 people

● Up to 200,000 sqm of commercial and retail employment space

● Up to 10,000 new dwellings with a minimum 5% affordable housing provision

● Maximum building heights of up to 36 storeys with two 40-storey towers

● Planning for a future primary school for up to 1,000 students

● A new light rail station

● Potential new community facilities including playing fields/multi-use active recreation space and a new library

● Potential new bridge crossing over Parramatta River to Rydalmere at the eastern end of the town centre

● New bridge crossing over Duck River to Silverwater

● Providing public access to Parramatta River

Camellia train station will close and be replaced by Parramatta light rail.

INFORMATION DAYS

Expert planners from the Department of Planning and Environment will be on hand to answer questions at two information sessions:

■ 10.00am-1pm on Saturday, March 10, at Rosehill Bowling Club, corner James Ruse Drv and Hassall St, Rosehill

■ 4pm-7pm on Tuesday, March 13, at Mantra Parramatta, Corner Parkes St and Valentine Ave, Parramatta