Council’s Draft 20-year Blueprint to Generate Thousands of Local Jobs Opens Soon for Engagement

The Hills Shire Council has prepared a Draft Precinct Plan for the Norwest Strategic Centre, which sets a 20-year vision for growth and will help provide space for tens of thousands of local jobs.

Council recently resolved to proceed to community consultation with the Draft Precinct Plan for the Norwest Strategic Centre, which extends beyond the suburb of Norwest and the historical business park boundaries, encompassing land from Old Windsor Road in Bella Vista through to Showground Road in Castle Hill.

The Draft Precinct Plan identifies actions to increase employment by 30,000 jobs across a diverse range of sectors, which will take the Centre’s employment capacity up to approximately 64,000 jobs. Council also plans for infrastructure upgrades to support growth and provide even greater connectivity to local roads, transport networks and footpaths and cycleways.

“Norwest Strategic Centre will remain a destination of choice for employers to base their business – now and in the future,” General Manager of The Hills Shire Council, Michael Edgar said.

“This blueprint aims to increase the jobs available in the Precinct, including along the business spine in Carrington Road and its planned extension from Victoria Avenue to Windsor Road. We’ve also envisaged more businesses to be located along Old Windsor and Windsor Roads, as well as greater opportunity for commercial outcomes in the Cattai Creek West Area.

“Our plans have also increased residential opportunities, and this will allow more people to live within the thriving business district, which is already home to two metro stations, speciality retailers, restaurants and cafes, public and historical open spaces and in the future – at least three shopping centres,” he added.

Mr Edgar said one of the goals for Council is to increase job availability in the local area.

“About 39 per cent of our local workforce are residents, and we want to increase this so that mums and dads, and residents have the choice to work close to home,” Mr Edgar said.

“This Council supports the 30-minute city under the Metropolitan of Three Cities plan. Under this plan, residents can access places, such as their employment, entertainment, education and anything else within 30 minutes.

“This means that our residents can spend less time travelling to and from different locations, including their place of work, and spend more with their families and friends, and doing what they love most,” Mr Edgar added.

The public exhibition period will take place over three months in early 2023, when Council will invite residents and stakeholders to “have their say”.

“I encourage residents, businesses, government agencies and stakeholders to please have their say on this blueprint during the consultation period next year. Your contribution will help inform the final outcome of this Plan and help shape the framework for this Centre.”

“I am very proud of the work on display and I look forward to hearing from the community,” Mr Edgar added.

The Draft Precinct Plan for the Norwest Strategic Centre will be available for comment through focus groups and workshops, drop-in sessions in key locations within Norwest Strategic Centre, a hotline and via Council’s website, www.thehills.nsw.gov.au.

Submissions and input from the consultation period will then be considered by Council later in 2023 for a decision on whether to adopt the Draft Precinct Plan.