NSW Government to steamroll ’mini-suburb’ zoning at former Riverlands Golf Course

A CONTROVERSIAL abandoned golf course could be become a controversial new mini suburb if the State Government rezones the land.

An Aerial view of the Riverlands Golf Course in Milperra, the subject of development interest since it was first sold to developers three decades ago.

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A THREE-decade stoush over development in Milperra could come to a head when the NSW Government steamrolls through zoning that would allow the construction of hundreds of homes, schools, religious buildings and even ­hospitals.

The Express has learned the Planning and Environment Department will reject a proposal restricting development to a section of decommissioned Riverlands Golf Course and instead table a plan which would essentially allow a mini-suburb within Milperra.

The course was briefly reopened before being resold again.

Former Bankstown Council submitted a plan in June last year to rezone the golf course from RE2 Private Recreation, which doesn’t allow development, to E3 Environmental Management, which would only allow part of the 82ha site to be developed with certain environmental protections.

But it is understood the NSW Government will reject this “very soon” and propose R2 Low Density Residential zoning. This means, with council approval, everything from low-rise duplexes to places of worship can be built on a larger area of the site.

The state government is expected to Proposal to rezone the Riverlands Golf course at Milperra

Riverlands Golf Course has been a headache for successive Bankstown councils since it was sold to developers more than 30 years ago.

The council failed in a bid to buy the land and initial plans to develop the bush block were scuttled in the 1980s after a community uproar. It has since been resold several times and sat dormant until now.

In a last-minute twist, Canterbury-Bankstown Council administrator Richard Colley will decide tonight whether to amend planning rules to strengthen “ecological values, character and amenity” protections.

A proposed masterplan for the redevelopment of the Riverlands Golf Course from 2006 which, was subsequently rejected. The site has been the subject of several proposals since it was first sold more than 30 years ago.

A council spokesman said the Development Control Plan amendments were in response to the State Government’s move.

“While council’s intention is to introduce an environmental zone, which would restrict development, it understands the government is intending to reject this and impose a residential zoning, which would significantly increase what can be built, including schools and places of public worship,” he said.

Bankstown Bushland Society members Chris Brogan and Paul Wynn with an Aboriginal scar tree at Riverlands Golf Course in Milperra.

Some of the protections recommended by council relate to retaining trees. The Office and Environment and Heritage is investigating claims Aboriginal scar trees are on the site, which could present a roadblock for a separate development application proposing ground works.

The Planning and Environment Department would not confirm whether it was planning R2 zoning but said “the department’s decision will be made public when ­finalised”.