Planning panel rejects rezoning request for North Rocks Village

A massive residential “village” has been rejected but the “confused’ developers behind the $785m project are determined to persist to help solve the housing crisis.

North Rocks Village has been rejected.

Developer EG Funds Management has expressed confusion as to why its massive development planned for the former Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children site at North Rocks has been rejected.

The Sydney Central City Planning Panel recently voted against its application to the state government to change the zoning from R2 low density to R4 high density at 361-365 North Rocks Rd so it could be transformed into North Rocks Village.

Along with more than 1000 dwellings, an aged care centre, community centre, library, village green, cricket-sized oval, six parks were part of the ambitious proposal on the 12.67-hectare site.

Parramatta Council has objected to plans for 690 units, 236 townhouses, nine detached dwellings and an aged care centre with between 60 and 80 beds, and 145 independent living units.

Opponents cite overdevelopment of the leafy suburb which does not have the infrastructure to support an influx of residents.

The council wanted buildings capped at three storeys. EG maintained that 69 per cent of the plan would be low density, with “some opportunity for residential flat buildings” to reach seven storeys.

A planning panel has rejected a rezoning application for North Rocks Village.

Councillor Georgina Valjak said most of the state government panel rejected the proposal based on the council’s Local Strategic Planning Statement 2036.

“The decision of the panel on this proposal is final and there are no opportunities for it to be reconsidered or challenged on its merits,’’ she said.

Cr Valjak said a development that allowed people to downsize would be welcome.

“I think council would be happy to work with the proponents on a development that feeds in with the current zoning of R2 and R3,’’ she said.

“I just can’t understand why they can’t put through something with the existing zoning.’’

However, EG said it would continue to argue the merits of the site.

Georgina Valjak says a development that sticks with low density housing would be welcome.

One of the recreation spots planned for North Rocks Village.

EG’s urban and community planning divisional director David Workman said some positive comments from panel members who supported the high-density zoning was “the breakthrough we’ve been looking for”.

“The proposal is to deliver much-needed housing supply and community infrastructure during a housing crisis, requiring a significant capital investment of $785m with an end value of $1.3bn upon completion,’’ he said.

He said the density was modest and strategically close to bus transport and employment nodes..

“Located within 30 minutes of Parramatta, Macquarie Park, and Norwest, the North Rocks site meets those best-in-breed criteria, with houses, townhouses, seniors living and aged care as part of the mix,’’ he said.

The RIDBC vacated the NextSense-owned site in 2018 when it made a $200m profit. It is

relocating to Macquarie University.