The residential, retail and commercial plans for crown land within the Hills showground, Bella Vista and Kellyville precincts come as the NSW Government call for community consultation for its residential and commercial proposal at Rouse Hill’s Tallawong station.

In November and December last year, the Hills Shire Times revealed exclusive details for the State Government’s precinct-wide plans for each station, which earmarked thousands of new homes, jobs and land dedicated to community infrastructure.

In reports for each station concept plans, Sydney Metro and state government developer Landcom argued Planning Minister Anthony Roberts should be the consent authority to determine the outcome of each precinct.

HILLS SHOWGROUND CONCEPT REVEALED

THE state government concept proposal revealed three sites would be included in future plans to develop land around the Hills Showground precinct.

A NSW Government report, released last week, said the first stage of work would see the construction of a plaza at Doran Drive by either developer Landcom or a future developer.

The proposal also included the demolition of the former council administration building, the subdivision of land, the construction of roads and public domain and the delivery of affordable housing.

“The proposal allows for the creation of an integrated station precinct, where the station,

public domain, residential and non-residential development can be designed and

function as a whole. Contributing to the diversity, amenity and economic sustainability of

the precinct,” a report into opportunities and constraints at the Hills Showground site said.

The proposal said the proximity to the soon-to-be-redeveloped Castle Hill Showground, pedestrian and cycleways and public space was also key, however addressed concerns around noise and vibration from the metro and local road network.

Staging development over several years and a lack of masterplanning for the Showground precinct were also concerns.

KELLYVILLE AND BELLA VISTA PLANS QUESTIONED

THE HILLS Shire Council has schooled the NSW Government over a “lack of detail” within the concept proposals for the Kellyville and Bella Vista development precincts.

The state government revealed a concept proposal for “surplus land” at both sites last week, which included plans to subdivide major lots surrounding the station, the construction of public domain and open space and the extension of local roads.

“Land identified within the Northwest Urban Renewal Corridor, adjacent to both the Kellyville

and Bella Vista rail corridors, has the potential to yield approximately 8400 dwellings,” the government report said.

“The proposal provides the opportunity for the future development of a new urban centre surrounding Bella Vista Metro Station that will be key to creating an attractive and inviting place that provides high levels of amenity in the surrounding public domain and connectivity.”

Hills Shire council’s forward planning manager Stewart Seale responded to the limited information from the state government, and said before any further steps are taken a plan should be lodged.

“In order for DA requirements to be identified the request document should ideally include some plans/details on what form the proposal will take such as the proposed lot layout, where buildings may be sited or how the built form will be distributed across the site,” Mr Seale said in the council response.

The council report called for a precinct wide traffic and transport assessment and an urban design study for both Kellyville and Bella Vista.

“This assessment should demonstrate that the projected additional yields and traffic volumes for the entire precincts, including all developable government land within the corridor between the Bella Vista and Kellyville Stations, will not have an unacceptable impact on the surrounding road network,” Mr Seale said.

Mr Seale also raised concerns around a lack of or misinformation on staging of development, land use, open space, biodiversity, noise, water management and consultation.

COUNCIL OBJECT TO TALLAWONG DEVELOPMENT PLANS

BLACKTOWN Council has railed against NSW Government plans for the creation of hundreds of homes, shops and parkland at Tallawong station.

In July, the state government released $386 million plans for homes, retail, parkland at Tallawong station.

The development proposal for 1107 homes across 7.8 ha surrounding Tallawong Station earmarked a total of 16 apartment buildings ranging from two to eight storeys in height, 85,000sq m of residential development and 9000sq m of retail, commercial and public space.

Blacktown Council planning director Glennys James said the development proposal was reviewed by council officers and objected to “due to the concern we have about it and the inadequacy of the submitted information”.

Mr James said council raised concerns around building heights exceeding eight storeys in height, building lengths, access and traffic management and recreational space.

“There is insufficient information to indicate the increased population as a result of the proposed development,” Mr James said. “The applicant must provide additional open space (in proportion) with the expected increase in population.”

The development proposal said a minimum of five per cent of the dwellings on two stages will be provided as affordable housing for “very low, low and moderate income earners” according to the plans. Retail and commercial space would also be included in the plans.