Riverlands development: Former golf course to be turned into 300-plus homes
An unused golf course which has been the site of a battle between environmentalists and developers for a decade will soon become home to more than 300 new homes.
The Express
Don't miss out on the headlines from The Express. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The former Riverlands golf course sill soon be the home of a new mini-suburb in southwest Sydney after a court mediated an outcome between the developers and Canterbury-Bankstown Council.
Now the Mirvac-led development in Milperra is set to go ahead, and will include more than 300 homes across 180 residential allotments. Five community parks and upgrades to the Henry Lawson Drive intersections of Keys Parade and Pozieres Ave will also feature as part of the project.
According to Mirvac, the development would provide public access to the Georges River foreshore through the construction of a shared pathway, linking Vale of Ah Reserve, Deepwater Reserve and Milperra via Prescott Parade.
Multiple attempts to rezone and develop the Riverlands site bordering the M5 Mwy had collapsed across the past 10 years, with environmentalists fighting the development tooth and nail in light of concerns for wildlife and vegetation.
An environment impact assessment report submitted as part of Mirvac’s application noted the site contained more than 800 trees and tree groups, native species, and exotic species.
Another point of contention with locals was the golf course being part of a flood plain.
Writing in the Bankstown Bushland Society Bulletin, environmentalist Colin Gibson claimed the development, and associated filling to raise parts of the grounds, could have knock-on effects for other people living in the flood-prone suburb which borders the Georges River.
“Filling the flood plain is irresponsible as it threatens the natural drainage system that takes overflow from Milperra Creek via a system of wetlands back into the Georges River,” Mr Gibson wrote. “This natural function of the flood plain should not be interfered with.”
The Land and Environment Court ruled the development would not adversely affect flood behaviour on other properties, nor prevent people from safely evacuating in the event of a flood.
Earlier applications set aside 14,100 sqm of parklands, which was then almost doubled to 24,600 sqm in the approved DA.
Chris Brogan, a community member who has previously ran for council, claimed the development of the land would involve cutting down sacred Aboriginal trees, known as ‘scarred’ or ‘canoe’ trees.
Mirvac was contacted about the claim, and a spokeswoman told The Express: “Prior to Mirvac’s ownership of the site, the previous owner referred this claim to the NSW Government’s Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH).
“The OEH determined that the scarring was not made by First Nations people.”
The spokeswoman said there would be benefits to the community with the development, including the revegetation and enhancement of the Georges River foreshore, Cumberland Plain Woodlands, and Northern Creek corridors, including bank stabilisation works and mangrove recreation.
Mirvac is working towards starting civil works on site early 2023, and claims the development will create 1390 jobs.
Masked men with guns storm southwest Sydney pub
A security guard has been injured and staff and patrons shocked after two masked men armed with guns stormed a popular southwest Sydney pub.
Smashing stereotypes: How Hard-Ons became punk rock heroes
From the streets of Punchbowl to stages across the world, Aussie band the Hard-Ons are celebrating over 40 years of smashing stereotypes the punk rock way.