Dural eyesore to make way for grand development

Around 20 hectares at Dural could be cleared to make way for a new residential subdivision under a planning proposal submitted to The Hills Shire Council.

Exterior shot of the development, Old Northern Rd, Dural

AROUND 20 hectares at Dural could be cleared to make way for a new residential subdivision with a retirement village, day surgery and public aquatic centre, under a planning proposal submitted to The Hills Shire Council.

Developers want zoning changed for a dozen acreages on Old Northern Rd and Derriwong Rd, to allow low-density living to be extended into the rural fringes.

The land, divided into two separate parcels, extends from a vacant lot next to and behind Dural Public School to opposite the Dural Business Park — a total land size of 214,651sqm.

Currently, the northern pacel of land is home to an old concrete building that has been unused for some time and is a familiar sight along the road.

The disused concrete building at 606 Old Northern Rd, Dural

Martin Cumberlidge from Dural Investment Holdings said the proposal, called the Derriwong Project, would transform the area and bring needed services to the community.

They are seeking permission on the basis the sites are no longer used for farming and are “underutilised and poor quality agricultural land”.

“The Derriwong Project increases the diversity of residential land options within Dural, catering for both an aging demographic looking to downsize and young families seeking a more affordable residential option,’’ Mr Cumberlidge said.

“The proposal is a logical extension of the existing urban fringe around both Round Corner and Dural centres.’’

Under the plans, the minimum lot size will be reduced from two hectares to 700 sqm, allowing 98 residential blocks to be created.

The plans also include a state of the art day surgery facility, medical centre, a senior’s housing development and a 200-bed residential aged care facility.

An aquatic centre will be built adjacent to the Dural Public School, providing an eight-lane, 25-metre pool for use by the school and the public, as a community car parking and cafe facilities.

Interior shot of the development, Old Northern Rd, Dural

“The result is an outstanding project that meets the needs of the community by providing a new aquatic centre, seniors living, medical facilities, and a new nursing home,” Mr Cumberlidge said.

Dural Investment Holdings is believed to have placed the land “under an option” pending an outcome.

Among the properties in the deal is a well-known former peach and nectarine orchard, which has been in the one family for 55 years.

Another site at 626 Old Northern Rd sold under a delayed settlement for $5.5 million earlier this year.

“This is an exciting and interesting development for Dural, it is moving ahead,’’ said selling agent Rob Thomson from Everything Realty.

However, there are six acreages located in between both sites, which are not included in the plans.

One resident told the Hills Shire Times he had been approached by a developer about two years ago but was not keen on selling.

He was unaware of the scale of the proposal or that it had been submitted to Council.

Derrinwong Project a glance

■ New community aquatic centre incorporating an eight lane, 25 metre pool, car park and café facilities.

■ Improved road infrastructure, including a road linking Derriwong Rd to Old Northern Rd, with capacity to accommodate a future connection between Kenthurst Rd and Old Northern Rd.

■ Improved child safety and traffic management at Dural Public School, with construction of a perimeter road around the school to allow student pick-up and drop off to take place off Old Northern Rd.

■ A senior’s housing development with capacity for approx 60 independent living units.

■ A residential aged care facility built around a central heritage-listed house of community significance, with capacity for up 200 beds to house the elderly.

■ Day surgery and community medical centre with associated car parking and café facilities.

■ More than 2600 sq m of public parkland.