Hills Mayor: development is over the top and it needs to stop

“CRAZY” and “over the top” development plans are being lodged with council and it needs to stop, says Hills Mayor Michelle Byrne.

Artist's impression of 93-107 Cecil Ave, Castle Hill. Hills Mayor Michelle Byrne says she is concerned about the proposed development which was approved by council. Source: Merck Property

“CRAZY” and “over the top” development plans are being lodged with council and it needs to stop, says Hills Mayor Michelle Byrne.

In a warning shot for developers wanting to capitalise on zoning changes, Cr Byrne said plans for high rises would be given short shrift unless they were high quality developments proposed to be built near town centres.

But ultimately, state planning laws could cruel any attempts by the council to curb developments.

“We are trying to limit density to town centres and transport hubs, but we are starting to see it sprawl to other areas, which is of great concern,” she said.

“There has to be a limit to the density that comes to the Hills. I feel the Metro Northwest is an excuse to dump as much density as possible and it’s completely unacceptable.

Hills Mayor Michelle Byrne.

“Twenty-five storeys for areas zoned for six stories is crazy stuff; there’s no way we’re going to support it.

“If you think council is a push over, you’ve got it wrong.”

Cr Byrne described plans for the proposed Cherrybrook Village, which suggests development up to 21 stories high south of Castle Hill Rd, as being “insane”.

Council plans for the Cherrybrook train station precinct suggest a maximum of six to eight storeys at the site.

Plans to build apartment blocks on Cecil Ave, Castle Hill, and high rise seniors housing at the Sisters of Mercy convent in Baulkham Hills also concerned her.

The planning proposal to allow high density development at Cecil Ave was supported by a slim majority of Hills councillors earlier this year.

Cr Byrne, who voted against the proposal, said she was troubled by the proposed development because she felt it was too far from the town centre and the new Castle Hill train station.

It could open the gates to similar developments just outside the town centre precinct, she feared.

The council’s plans for the new train station precincts are more conservative than the state government’s plans, which allow for higher density.

Cr Byrne said density needed to be supported by infrastructure such as roads and footpaths, and include provisions for green space.

“My message (to developers) is to come in with realistic plans, not over the top developments that can’t be supported by infrastructure,” she said.

“It needs to be well-planned, well thought out with lots of green space and it needs to be quality development.

“I think we need to tighten densities around train stations and town centres and not let it sprawl into our residential areas.”

But Cr Byrne conceded even if council rejected a proposed development it could still be approved by the Planning Minister or his delegate authority, The Greater Western Sydney Commission.

“Just because council refuses a development doesn’t mean it’s the end of the planning proposal,” she said.

The process for proposals worth $20m and up

Lodgement: Applicants submit planning proposals with the council, which explains the effect of and justification for their plan, which after consideration, are forwarded to the planning minister.

Gateway: The minister determines whether the planning proposal is to proceed.

Consultation: The proposal is publicly exhibited and feedback is sought from public authorities.

Assessment: The relevant planning authority considers public submissions and the proposal is varied as necessary.

Decision: The council will consider the application and advise the Joint Regional Planning Panel. This panel will make the final determination. There is also an avenue of appeal via the Land and Environment Court.