Riverstone residents fear Sakkara’s huge development will increase threats from flood-prone area

RIVERSTONE residents are up in arms about a proposed development in Garfield Rd, fearing it will make the area prone to worse flooding because the site is on a floodplain.

Riverstone residents John Huntington, Diane Baldwin and Tony Olsen are concerned that a planned development may make flooding worse. Pictures: Justin Sanson

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RIVERSTONE residents are up in arms about a proposed development in Garfield Rd, fearing it will be unsafe for many of them.

However, a director of developer Sakkara Pty Ltd said the company wants to work with residents and Blacktown Council to ensure the best possible outcome.

Sakkara director David Bedingfield said the industrial estate development would provide work for 12,000 people and had broader support among Riverstone residents.

Riverstone’s Diane Baldwin pictured with flood affected furniture that she has thrown out a few months ago.

But resident Diane Baldwin, one of the campaign leaders, said she was working with Blacktown Council to stop the project.

“If this goes ahead our homes and town could be in danger as this is a flood prone area,” Ms Baldwin said.

“I have lived here all my life and so have many of our neighbours and we don’t want to lose our town.

“I am not against development as we have to go ahead with the times but you should not be working on floodplain areas.

“We have to put up with noise, which starts at 4am on weekdays and goes throughout the day, and dust which is making it impossible to dry our clothes in the sun.

Riverstone residents are worried about a planned development.

“Children are also having chronic asthma and sinus problems due to the dust.”

The council said it had rejected Sakkara’s bulk earthworks development application because the proposal was unsatisfactory.

Blacktown Council fined Sakkara Pty Ltd $30,000 in response to complaints from residents about land filling and other works at the former meatworks site.

Riverstone wetlands are home to several bird species which locals say could be in danger of losing their breeding spots.

“The developer, Sakkara Pty Ltd, has been fined for the illegal filling of land, building an illegal road, illegally storing landfill, illegally building an earth wall and for illegal activity by tenants on its land,” the council said in a statement issued last week.

“In addition, the NSW Environmental Protection Agency is investigating the activity on the site and may soon also take action.”

Blacktown mayor Stephen Bali.

Council, however, confirmed Sakkara had an area of filling approved in the far north of the land adjacent to Bandon Rd.

Sakkara director Bedingfield said they were keen to work with residents and the council to ensure the best outcome was reached

“We have got approval for work on 10 ha and have earthworks at this site only,” Mr Bedingfield told the Rouse Hill Times.

“All work is being done at the Vineyard part of the project where we are upgrading the dirt road to handle construction vehicles and no work

“We are aware of residents’ concerns but at the same time I have to say we have also have broader support from Riverstone residents for the development which will provide more than 12,000 jobs when the industrial estate is completed.

Diane Baldwin says is not against development but not on the floodplain.

“We have now submitted a DA for a further 50 ha as we are doing this in stages but because it has not been approved by the council, we have referred it to the Land and Environment Court.

“We want to make Riverstone a better place and because of our discussions with RMS (Roads and Maritime Services) we could finally be creating much needed roads for the town.”

Mr Bedingfield said he has been trying to contact the residents directly affected by the work but said he has not been successful.

Ms Baldwin, however, said she has not been contacted by anyone from the company.

She says her campaign which began last year, has more than 100 members and expect more to join.

Quick facts

■ Blacktown Council has also rejected a series of development applications for the site and has issued orders designed to make Sakkara Pty Ltd reverse the illegal works.

■ Blacktown mayor Stephen Baldwin said the council has a responsibility to make sure any development is safe.

■ “Council has a basic responsibility to ensure development is appropriate, safe and compliant with legislation and regulations,” mayor Bali said.

“These include removing filling from areas where this has been undertaken illegally, and the

removal of an illegally constructed earth wall.”

Background

■ Sakkara purchased the 228ha site in Riverstone in 2013.

■ When completed in stages, the planned industrial estate will be over 1 million square metres industrial estate and worth an estimated $1 billion

■ Since being formed in 1997, Sakkara brought to market projects with realisation in excess of $4 billion through a mix of self-managed projects, mezzanine and joint venture partnerships

■ Blacktown Council is monitoring the DA, rejected some applications and will be going to court to fight appeals against its rejections.

■ Sakkara has taken its case to the Land and Environment Court.