Canterbury Bankstown plans for 500k residents
Canterbury Bankstown is gearing up for a potential population of half a million residents and 50,000 new homes by 2036 with its draft Local Strategic Planning Statement.
The Express
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It is challenging times for Canterbury Bankstown which has to plan for an extra 140,000 residents and 50,000 new dwellings by the 2036, bringing the total population to half a million people.
To cope with these big numbers, an almost 40 per cent increase on Canterbury Bankstown’s current 360,000 residents — the council is putting up its draft Local Strategic Planning Statement, called Connective City 2036, for community input.
The draft document is being exhibited until November 15 and Mayor Khal Asfour said it was imperative the community had its say in this very important plan, which included more affordable housing and job opportunities.
“The target of 50,000 new homes to be built by 2036 is a forceable target given by the State Government and we have to accommodate this growth,” the newly-re-elected mayor said.
“We have no options, though we did ask for the government to revise these figures.
“It (the plan) will protect and enhance attractive, low-density suburban areas, offer more housing choice close to public transport; and encourage vibrant centres across our city.”
NEW APPRENTICESHIPS CENTRE OPENS
Councillor Asfour said the plan aims to locate 80 per cent of new housing within walking distance of transport hubs and/or existing centres, and ensure new housing in suburban areas is consistent with the existing local character.
He said the council had worked really hard to come up with a sensible and responsible plan.
Cr Asfour, who spoke about the plan at Tuesday night’s council meeting, said the new local environmental plan was very important and was not set in stone.
“It could be revised as it goes along because this is a 20-year plan and things change,” he said.
WHAT THE PLAN MEANS
Connective City 2036 is the 20-year strategic land-use plan to accommodate 500,000 residents and 155,000 workers, attract visitors and investment. It will also protect the green spaces and waterways.
The plan shows how land uses and infrastructure will be integrated and co-ordinated while identifying centres and precincts, employment lands and collaboration areas.
The council said the draft LSPS has had early community engagement, including focus groups, community information sessions and an online survey.
At the end of the consultation, the council will prepare and submit a planning proposal to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment for Gateway Determination to create the new Canterbury Bankstown Local Environmental Plan.
The council is due to submit it to the department for gazettal by June 2020. Funding for this project is being provided by the NSW Government.
IN OTHER NEW
Other features include:
■ Providing more jobs in our centres, particularly Bankstown, Campsie, Kingsgrove and Chullora
■ Protecting the amenity of residential areas and identifying areas that have special character;
■ Providing a land-use plan to protect, enhance and extend the city’s green spaces and waterways
■ Improving transport connections across Canterbury Bankstown, particularly those linking to the Sydney CBD, Parramatta and Liverpool
■ Highlighting the importance of Canterbury-Bankstown within the Sydney metropolitan area, linking to key jobs and activity centres in the northwest, Macquarie Park and the new Western Sydney Airport.
There will information sessions at different venues.
Details on the plan: cb.city/connectivecity2036.