Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting has called on the NSW Government to guarantee residents that any rezoning of Glenwood and Stanhope Gardens would include infrastructure to support the expanded community.
The NSW Government's Kellyville and Bella Vista draft rezoning proposal, which includes Glenwood and Stanhope Gardens, would add 20,700 new homes and as many as 50,000 new residents to the precinct.
Blacktown City Council is frustrated that the proposal for the narrow corridor contained no plans for new community facilities, parks or increased road capacity.
"Blacktown City has already accepted more than its fair share of new homes to try and help Sydneysiders overcome the housing crisis," Mayor Bunting said.
"To be clear, the NSW Government's rezoning plan proposes adding a population greater than the Strathfield Council area (45,593) without additional community facilities.
"The NSW Government needs to provide a detailed infrastructure plan to ensure this community remains liveable."
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure's own documents state good planning requires that community facilities, open space, and road congestion be addressed.
Mayor Bunting has urged residents to have their say on the proposal before the public exhibition period closes on Friday 9 August.
People can make a submission here: NSW Government's Kellyville and Bella Vista state-led rezoning proposal before Friday 9 August 2024.
Warren Kirby, the Member for Riverstone, and Council will hold a community information meeting at The Ettamogah Hotel, Kellyville Ridge, at 3pm on Sunday 4 August.
Mayor Bunting backed residents who are concerned that worsening traffic congestion and a lack of community facilities will result if the NSW Government does not revise its proposal.
Blacktown City Council already faces significant challenges providing:
- Playing fields. Heavy demand forces some teams to train late at night due to limited availability. Community requests for year-round cricket competitions cannot be met due to a shortage of fields.
- Community facilities such as community halls and childcare centres. Council analysis in 2020 of infrastructure needs for Sydney's North West Growth Area warned that the lack of planned community facilities would significantly impact liveability.
- Libraries. An important resource and place for students and others to study. Council is unable to fund enough libraries for its population (an estimated 435,000 and the biggest in NSW) due to NSW Government restrictions on how developer contributions may be used.
- Blacktown City's five swimming pools are increasingly inadequate for its population in the summer. Rising temperatures in Western Sydney and more people living in units are expected to increase demand.
