Urban renewal for Sydenham to Bankstown rail corridor causes concern among Hurlstone Park residents

Areas along the Sydenham to Bankstown rail line are set to undergo urban renewal, but some Hurlstone Park residents are concerned it would ruin the suburb’s “small village feel”.

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With areas along the Sydenham to Bankstown rail line earmarked for urban renewal, Hurlstone Park residents say increased development and high-rise apartments would ruin the suburb’s “small village feel”.

The revitalisation of precincts around the rail line is part of the State Government’s plan to boost housing supply.

Areas within 800m of the 11 stations have been identified for renewal.

A Planning Department spokeswoman said the rapid transit rail services on the Bankstown line — which could see up to 30 metro trains running per hour in each direction — would be “a future catalyst for growth in the area”.

But Hurlstone Park residents are concerned about how the renewal would change the suburb’s character.

Resident Margaret Donaldson, 61, says there should be a “heritage consideration” for the area.

“For it to suddenly become this sort of cosmopolitan high-rise (area) ... would really, I think, upset the village feel of Hurlstone Park,” Ms Donaldson said.

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Long-time Hurlstone Park resident Ken Green, 71, said: “It’s going to happen. There’s more and more people so they’ve got to have somewhere to live.”

A more vibrant community hub is something Julia Scott would like to see in the renewal. She recently moved from Dulwich Hill to Hurlstone Park and says the latter is “much sleepier”.

“I think it could do with a bit more life around here. The village shops (are) woeful,” she said.

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“If the apartments actually bring in some decent shops where you can get a coffee … that would have to be a good thing.”

The revitalisation is part of the State Government’s strategy to accelerate housing supply across Sydney.

FAST FACTS:

■ The rail corridor through 11 stations including Wiley Park, Bankstown, Punchbowl, Lakemba, Belmore, Campsie, Canterbury and Hurlstone Park has been earmarked for development

■ It aims to accelerate housing supply across Sydney over the next 20 years

■ Residents can have their say on the proposal at: planning.nsw.gov.au/sydenhamtobankstown.