Planning changes in the Hills District are stirring fresh debate, with residents in Arcadia voicing concern over the future of rural zoning and land use. Recent updates to the Department of Planning’s land-use table have made Transitional Group Homes a permitted use within the RU4 Primary Production Small Lots zone, an area long associated with small-scale agriculture and rural living.
The shift follows funding from the Department of Communities and Justice’s Domestic Violence Core and Cluster Program, which has already supported approval of a large facility in Arcadia. While Hornsby Council recognised the value of expanded social housing options, its assessment pointed to issues around the development’s scale, the lack of local emergency and essential services, limited access, and the proposal’s compatibility with the area’s established rural character.
During the Sydney North Planning Panel’s determination process, panel members voiced differing positions. Member Mark McCrindle recorded a dissenting opinion, noting that the volume of community objections and concerns over the site’s suitability, location and access were, in his view, “insurmountable,” despite the panel’s majority ruling.
Although Transitional Group Homes are designed to support vulnerable people, the category spans a wide range of facilities, from domestic violence refuges to drug and alcohol rehabilitation services. Some residents argue that allowing these developments within rural zones risks altering the character of low-density areas and straining infrastructure not built for institutional-scale uses.
A spokesperson for the Fagans Road Residents Association said the community acknowledged the need for support services but stressed that rural zoning was intended for small-scale living, not large facilities. They said the long-term effects on safety, infrastructure and the rural environment required closer scrutiny.
The planning changes have opened a wider discussion about the balance between state policies and local planning controls. Community groups are now urging a review of how Transitional Group Homes are defined and where they can be located to ensure future developments meet social needs without undermining local suitability.
Arcadian Residents Association Arcadia | fagansroadarcadia@gmail.com
