36,000 new homes along Sydenham to Bankstown rail corridor as State Government releases urban renewal plans

A RAIL corridor in Sydney’s south west will include an extra 36,000 dwellings over the next 20 years as part of the State Government’s urban renewal project. Find out if your suburb is affected.

THE Sydenham to Bankstown rail corridor will include an extra 36,000 dwellings over the next 20 years as part of the State Government’s urban renewal project.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes released plans for the 11 stations that will be converted to a single deck Metro line and connected to Chatswood via a new Harbour crossing.

The Metro project is expected to be completed by 2024.

The Sydney Metro will provide up to 15 trains per hour between Bankstown and Sydenham and reduced travel times of up to 10 minutes.

The plan also says there is potential for light rail between Bankstown and Parramatta via Granville and Chester Hill.

Up to 15 trains per hour will run on the Metro line from Bankstown to Sydenham when completed.

Under the plan, residential and mixed use developments would be permitted within 400m of the stations from Sydenham to Bankstown.

“The enhanced public transport network is the catalyst for new growth and development along the corridor,” Mr Stokes said.

Bankstown, Campsie and Canterbury would accommodate the bulk of the new dwellings by 2036.

In Bankstown, it is proposed there would be 11,150 dwellings within 400m of the train station - an increase from the 2011 figure of 5656.

In Campsie the figure would increase from 7629 to 14,800 and Canterbury from 2594 to 8000.

The draft plan for the corridor also identifies Canterbury Park Racecourse as a “significant” opportunity if the use of the privately-owned facility changed.

There are “significant” opportunities for Canterbury Park Racecourse if the use of the privately owned track changed, the State Government says.

Medium and high rise developments would spring up in Bankstown, Punchbowl, Lakemba, Belmore, Campsie, Canterbury and Marrickville.

Hurlstone Park, Dulwich Hill and Sydenham would largely remain low density.

The Stacey St-Fairford Rd corridor between the M5 Motorway and Hume Highway would be widened to four lanes.

URBAN RENEWAL CHANCE TO REVITALISE CANTERBURY RD

CHARACTER OF HURLSTONE PARK NEEDS TO REMAIN

“These 11 local communities will now have an opportunity to have their say about what they want when it comes to jobs, shops, public amenities and the character of these areas,” Mr Stokes said.

“We want to create places where people want to live, and where they can work and play closer to home.”

Planning Minister Rob Stokes has encouraged residents to have a say on the plans.

Urban Taskforce chief executive Chris Johnson said the plan was a good start, but increased density may be needed over time in suburbs such as Bankstown, Canterbury and Campsie.

“It is important that buildings up to 20 stories are located in the urban centres near railway stations and services, and that communities understand that this will occur,” he said.

Urban Development Institute of Australia NSW chief executive Stephen Albin said the delivery of 36,000 dwellings was a positive result for the community and called for councils to adopt a “co-operative approach” for the project.

Higher density along the rail corridor would boost the affordable housing supply, Sydney Business Chamber executive director Patricia Forsythe said.

“Increasing housing density along existing transport corridors is essential if we are to accommodate Sydney’s growing population and ensure our city remains a vibrant place to live and work,” she said.

The draft plan is on public exhibition until November 22.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR SUBURB:

Bankstown: Increase of dwellings from 5656 to 11,150 by 2036. Up to six storeys in Bankstown CBD and higher density to the west and south of the train station. Fairford Rd-Stacey St widened to four lanes between M5 Motorway and Hume Highway

Punchbowl: Increase of dwellings from 3611 to 7200. Retain density of two to three storeys alone Punchbowl Rd and The Boulevarde. Up to eight storeys within 400m of station

Wiley Park: Dwellings to increase from 3000 to 3800. Buildings of up to eight storeys along rail corridor to Lakemba. New shops along Lakemba St

Lakemba: To remain mainly medium density of up to five storeys. Network of small parks and open spaces along corridor. Opportunity for supermarket close to station

Belmore: Remain mainly low density, with opportunities for up to eight storeys within 400m of station and near Canterbury Rd. Dwellings to increase from 3000 to 7000

Campsie: Dwellings to increase from 7629 to 14,800 with higher density on Fifth, Ninth and Brighton avenues

Canterbury: Medium to high density throughout the precinct, with dwellings to increase from 2594 to 8000.

The Bankstown CBD near the Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre would be about five storeys.

Hurlstone Park: Character of the suburb to remain, with up to five storeys permitted near the station

Dulwich Hill: Heritage of the suburb to be protected, with only an extra 2000 dwellings outlined

Marrickville: Accommodate a small area of high rise residential and mixed use buildings immediately around the station

Sydenham: Largely unchanged