A New Look For Gateway Suburb

By Bev Jordan

$300M HILLS CLUB PROPOSAL

Hills District Bowling Club has just submitted a planning proposal to The Hills Shire Council for a $300 million development of its 1.5-hectare site at Baulkham Hills.

The Planning Proposal seeks to amend The Hills Local Environmental Plan 2019 to permit the development of residential units on The Hills Club site, above a new bowling club featuring an outdoor bowling green and an indoor green capable of hosting international competitions plus other sporting and community events.

The Hills Club Chairman Ken Carroll said there was an urgent need to revitalise the club. The board has been working with developer, Arden Group, on plans for a future mixed-use development on the site, which would include a three-level bowling club plus up to 300 residential units. There will be one proposed 21-storey tower and three other unit blocks ranging from four to six storeys in height.

Mr Carroll told the Hills to Hawkesbury Community News the redeveloped club building would be twice the size of the existing club with underground car parking offering double the amount of parking space for club members. “One of the blocks behind the club on Jenner St would be for Over 55s,” Mr Carroll said. “All the units would be two or three bedrooms.”

In a letter to Hills Shire Council, Mr Carrol said: “There is an urgent need to reposition the club from an ageing facility to become more relevant with the evolving demographics and changing needs of the community. This proposal provides a significant opportunity for the Baulkham Hills area to gain a true community facility hub of great benefit.”

“The vision for the site is a revitalised modern club with state-of-the-art bowling and community facilities, civic and communal spaces and a greater diversity of activities available to its members and the broader community.

“The club will continue to function as the heart of the site and will be supported by a diversified set of uses including commercial, residential and senior’s accommodation, ensuring its long-term viability.”

Mr Carroll told the Hills to Hawkesbury Community News the indoor air-conditioned bowling green would feature grandstand seating. He said The Planning Proposal has been developed through a collaborative process undertaken jointly by The Hills Club Board and Arden.

“It has been the club’s intention to engage with the best consultants through the design process to ensure that the proposal addresses, in the best way possible urban design elements, through an in-depth consideration of the surrounding environment,” he said.

“In turn, we believe the design will be complementary to the enhancement and revitalisation of the Baulkham Hills Town Centre. Altis Architects, who were engaged for the design concept, have a proven track record in delivering exceptional club projects and mixed-use developments that incorporate club facilities.”

Mr Carroll said benefits of the proposal include new jobs, improved traffic flow and increased activation to Baulkham Hills Town Centre.

A spokesperson from The Hills Shire Council said: “The proponent is currently completing the lodgement process. Once this has been completed, council will then commence assessment of the application following the process set out in Council’s Planning Proposal Policy.”

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