Housing Density Drop
Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Accelerated Precincts came into effect on Wednesday 27th November as the State government moved to increase housing supply.
Hills Shire Council is one of several Local Government Areas affected by the rezoning changes (Hornsby is also on the list) which aim to create a total of 60,000 new homes near metro and train stations.
About 4,600 new homes with new and improved public spaces have been earmarked for Bella Vista and Kellyville. Between 3 to 10 per cent of all residential properties will be allocated as affordable housing in perpetuity.
The state government says the development will bring about 3,800 new jobs to the precinct. The State government has also said it will introduce new active transport links to the north-western suburbs as part of the development.
An Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) outlining the proposed changes was exhibited for public feedback between 9th July and 23rd August 2024 this year and 34 submissions were received from industry, councils, state agencies, the general public and other organisations and interest groups.
Hills Shire Council opposed the initial plans which would have allowed 43,000 new homes between Kellyville and Bella Vista Metro stations and urged residents to have their say.
It has welcomed the “significant” scaling down of the proposal but says major questions remain unanswered.
In a media release Hills Shire Council said: “The Bella Vista and Kellyville Precincts already have capacity for 22,576 dwellings and the originally exhibited plans identified a further 20,700 additional homes beyond this. In the finalised plans, this has been reduced to an additional 4,600 homes.
Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne said: “While I’m glad the NSW Government’s absurd original proposal has been scaled down, we need to know why all housing growth on the Blacktown side has disappeared and the additional growth has actually doubled on the Hills side.
“Instead of having an additional 18,200 homes on the Blacktown side as originally exhibited, Blacktown will now have no new homes while the Hills has an additional 4,600 on our side, in addition to the 18,600 homes we already have capacity for.
“If Council or a developer submitted plans this light on detail, the NSW Government wouldn’t even let us put it on exhibition. Meanwhile the Government is completely reshaping the face of The Hills Shire with the stroke of a pen.
“This is a major uplift and will require a significant investment from the NSW Government in infrastructure like local roads, schools, parks, playing fields and community facilities.”
She said despite repeated requests for a meeting with Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, the rezoning announcements were made without any discussion between the Government and Council.
“The Hills Shire already has the most overcrowded schools in NSW and the Government’s only commitment as part of this process is to undertake further investigations to increase school capacity.
“This simply isn’t good enough and they need to act fast before quality of life for Hills residents is significantly eroded.”
