Lendlease St Marys ADI site: Bid to scrap employment land for 500 homes decided
A controversial plan to see employment land in Sydney’s west redeveloped into hundreds of homes has been decided by NSW Planning. SEE THE OUTCOME HERE.
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A $126 million plan that would see vital employment land in Sydney’s west scrapped for an extra 500 homes in a burgeoning housing estate by property giant Lendlease has been given the green light by the NSW Planning Department.
In September, NewsLocal revealed the Lendlease plan to expand its housing estates in the St Marys ADI site at Jordan Springs and Ropes Crossing had been included in the department’s sixth tranche of the Fast-track Delivery Program.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes forecast major changes to planning policies under the latest revisions by Lendlease — including a 1.2ha expansion of the precinct’s regional park already identified for use as local open space — under the proposal for the former St Marys Australian Defence Industries site.
“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our lives and the economy and getting shovel-ready projects out the door to help NSW rebound from this crisis has been a critical priority,” Mr Stokes said.
“Our short-term drive to create a steady supply of jobs and investment has been a great success, with work already starting on construction sites across the State.”
The move sparked backlash by residents and ADI Action Group representatives, who say they were promised jobs within the precinct as early as 2001.
A Planning Department delegate approved the amendments within the central precinct of the ADI site from employment to Urban development on the last day of Tranche six determinations.
A Lendlease spokesman said the property developments behind the greenfield site welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to approve the fast-tracked proposal.
“Today’s decision will allow us to address housing undersupply in a region that already has sufficient employment lands in strategic locations with strong transport connections to meet its future requirement,” the spokesman told NewsLocal. “Further, by removing the potential for industrial activity and frequent heavy vehicle movements, it will deliver environmental benefits for the Wianamatta Regional Park.
“We’re looking forward to working with Penrith City Council and the NSW Government to get moving on delivering the job opportunities that will be created through the development of this land.”
The developer’s argument around the location of employment land in the precinct comes after NewsLocal revealed Lendlease fell dramatically short of jobs targets earmarked for its ever expanding Jordan Springs and Ropes Crossing estates — providing just 744 of the promised 2770 jobs within the precinct.
“We’re delivering on our commitment to help the Penrith and Blacktown communities upskill and secure employment, including through the creation of jobs across the former Australian Defence Industries (ADI) site,” the spokesman said.
“Lendlease’s continued development of the ADI site will significantly contribute to further employment opportunities for the community into the future.”