Housing Targets
Hawkesbury City Council has welcomed the decision by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to exempt the council area from the State Government’s housing policy for Low and Mid-rise housing.
The State reforms will allow residential flat buildings of 3-6 storeys, terraces,townhouses, duplexes and smaller 1-2 storey apartments in suburbs where they aren’t currently permitted – with a focus on significantly increased housing densities near established town centres and train stations.
They were vigorously opposed by Hawkesbury councillors at a meeting earlier this year.
The Department informed Hawkesbury City Council last week that it had been exempted from the proposed planning reforms.
Hawkesbury City Mayor Sarah McMahon said the exemption was a welcome relief.
“After eight floods in four years it is abundantly clear that a significant increase in population in the Hawkesbury posed an unacceptable risk to current and future residents.”
According to the NSW Government Planning website Hawkesbury’s Housing target is 1,300 new homes completed by 2029. The figure for The Hills Shire Council is 23,300 new homes by 2029. Blacktown City Council’s housing target is 21,400 new homes by 2029 and Hornsby Council’s target is 5,500 in the next five years.
Meanwhile Hills Shire Council is urging residents to have their say over a NSW Government plan for an expanded housing precinct between the Kellyville and Bella Vista Metro stations saying there has to be “significant investment” by the State Government in schools and roads to cater for an influx of new residents.
The vision is for an additional 20,700 homes between the Kellyville and Bella Vista station precincts on top of existing homes and approvals and are part of the NSW Government’s Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program.
The State Government website says: “The Kellyville and Bella Vista precincts, including Stanhope Gardens and Glenwood, are wellpositioned to support more homes. These precincts are located next to metro stations and are within walking distance of key public transport interchanges, promoting walking and cycling opportunities.”
Hills Shire Mayor Peter Gangemi said: “The proposal would see close to 100,000 people living in the Kellyville and Bella Vista Precincts … both Windsor Road and Old Windsor Roads are already a car park during the morning and afternoon peak, even without the additional growth being proposed.
“Intersections along Norwest Boulevard and Showground Road need urgent upgrades to improve traffic flow.”
He said the Hills has the most overcrowded schools in the State with more than 40 per cent exceeding their enrolment cap by more than 100+ students this year.
“The infrastructure needed for our precincts will cost a lot more than the $520 million set aside for all TOD precincts, let alone the two in our Shire,” Mayor Gangemi said.
Residents have until 9th August to have their say via the NSW Government’s Planning Portal www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/draftplans/exhibition/kellyville-and-bella-vistastate-led-rezoning-proposal.
