Grand plans to turn Riverstonee into a thriving town with vibrant village green and high rise buildings
HIGH RISES of up to 20 storeys could be built next to the train station under a bold vision to transform Riverstone into a vibrant hub as Blacktown Council gears up for an influx of more than 9000 residents in the next two decades.
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HIGHRISES of up to 20 storeys could be built next to the train station under a bold vision to transform Riverstone into a vibrant hub as Blacktown Council gears up for an influx of more than 9000 residents in the next two decades.
Under a draft masterplan that has four options, the council has also raised the possibility of moving the Riverstone Swim Centre to be part of a new village green.
The council wants to transform the Marketown into a bigger venue with residential units on the top floors, providing “an attractive and vibrant entry to the town centre for people travelling by train”.
Blacktown Council, which has been criticised in the past for ignoring the centre, has put forward four options as a framework for a revitalised town centre, while ensuring the character of Riverstone, which dates back to the 19th century, is preserved and enhanced.
The council has proposed for Riverstone to be its main service centre for the North West Growth Area, with planned upgrades to facilities, including the library and swimming centre.
It is now encouraging residents to make submissions on the four options.
Riverstone has seen businesses close in recent years, while heavy traffic continues to plague the commercial centre.
Blacktown Council, which holds its elections on September 10, said there are several challenges to the plans including the Garfield Rd overpass which will create a barrier to north-south movement through the Town Centre and flood-affected land.
Under the draft plan, Marketown shopping centre will feature residential apartments on top and expanded to include the former bowling club sites.
“The Riverstone Town Centre plays a key role in the ongoing future growth and development of the city,” the council said.
“Community consultation is key to the project’s success.”
According to the draft masterplan, the Riverstone area is expected to be home to an additional 9000 people over the next 20 years.
“A large amount of this growth will be concentrated within and around the town centre itself, so it’s important to have adequate social and community facilities which cater for this growth,” the report states.
“The draft masterplan will help guide decisions by council and the NSW government, private investors and other stakeholders, so that we can better support the growing local economy and improve retail offerings in the area.
“Council wants the Riverstone Town Centre to be a place where people can interact and connect.
Counil stressed the masterplan aims to create a thriving, economically viable, well-designed and safe town centre that preserves Riverstone’s unique character and semi-rural roots.
In June, the Riverstone Schofields Chamber of Commerce said they wanted to leave Blacktown Council, claiming they have been neglected while other surrounding suburbs are booming.
The Riverstone draft masterplan proposes four options:
1. THE HUB, consolidating growth around a town centre
2. THE MAIN STREET, to perpetuate the “country town character”
3. THE PRECINCTS, organised into retail and community areas
4. ‘ADDITIONAL CONCEPTS’, includes moving the swimming pool and development up to 20 storeys at two key sites near the railway station
■ The masterplan is on exhibition until September 30, with community drop-in sessions at Riverstone Village (Marketown) on Saturday from 10am to 1pm; Thursday, September 1, 4pm-7pm; September 17, 10am-1pm and September 22, 4pm-7pm.
■ The masterplan can be seen at Blacktown Council chambers, Riverstone Library or Riverstone Marketown.
■ Submissions can be made via yoursay.blacktown.nsw.gov.au
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