Cherrybrook state-led rezoning to deliver six neighbourhoods on Metro’s doorstop

Sydney’s northwest would host over 9000 more new homes and a shopping district under state-led plans to rezone 55 hectares of a leafy Hills District suburb. See the pictures.

A proposed state led rezoning of Cherrybrook aims to boost the area with more than 9000 homes, a town centre, library, community facilities - all close to the metro station. Picture: NSW Government

Sydney’s northwest would host over 9000 more new homes and a shopping district under NSWe-led plans to rezone 55 hectares of a leafy Hills District suburb.

Under the proposal six new “neighbourhoods” would spring up around the Cherrybrook M1 Metro line station, with a brand-new town centre in the middle complete with retail, cafes and restaurants, a library and a community centre, north of Castle Hill Road.

Five open-space parks would be carved out within the neighbourhoods, including a swath of protected native Blue Gum high forest.

The housing mix would include apartments and terraces and an estimated 5200 could be delivered in the next 20 years, increasing to 9350 homes by 2061.

A minimum five per cent of the homes must be considered “affordable”, with the greatest density concentrated in high-rise apartment blocks around the town centre.

Artist’s render: ‘Grosvenor Place Park’ would be one of the six new neighbourhoods under the proposed rezoning. Picture: NSW Government

The Cherrybrook precinct project is a state-led rezoning and does not come under the banner of the NSW government’s Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program, but follows a similar principal, encouraging housing growth within walking distance of transport hubs.

It comes after Australian Bureau of Statistics last month revealed the number of home completions in NSW has fallen by almost 4300 builds in the 12 months to June, compared with the previous period.

Artist’s render: The new neighbourhood’s Village Green. Picture: NSW Government

Planning Minister Paul Scully said Cherrybrook was the “ideal location for more homes” given the existing high demand in the area, public transport connections and proximity to jobs and services.

“Developments like this are crucial as we look to restore housing choice in Sydney, so people are no longer forced out of the city and can live and within the community they choose,” he said.

“This proposal will unlock hundreds of jobs and thousands of new homes … alongside more open space and a new town centre to create a vibrant, leafy precinct.”

Community feedback on the previous ‘place strategy’ for Cherrybrook first released in December 2022 included concerns about apartment blocks overwhelming the heritage and character of the suburb, additional traffic impact and local schools becoming over-enrolled.

The new proposal will remain on exhibition for public consultation until Friday December 5.

Originally published as Cherrybrook state-led rezoning to deliver six neighbourhoods on Metro’s doorstop