A new planning proposal in The Hills Shire seeks to boost local jobs and protect employment land, allowing residents to work closer to home. Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne announced the initiative is part of a strategy to grow Norwest from 35,000 jobs today to nearly 65,000 by 2041.
“The Hills has the largest housing target of any council in the state. Our rapid population growth needs local job opportunities to match,” Mayor Byrne said.
“Norwest is the primary employment hub for The Hills. This planning proposal only applies to around eight per cent of land in Norwest Strategic Centre, but it would unlock thousands of jobs.
“We will be focusing on industries that create jobs suited to our skilled population, especially in the areas of health, advanced manufacturing, professional, and science and technical services.”
The new planning proposal seeks to increase building heights from 10 to 23 storeys.
Mayor Byrne said it was critical to safeguard employment land in The Hills in the face of the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority (HDA).
“This planning proposal is the product of deliberate strategic work by Council. It’s supported by robust development controls and a clear commitment to ensure local infrastructure goes hand in hand with it.
“Council’s planning proposal won’t reduce the already existing opportunities for substantial residential development in Norwest. It will turbocharge employment within a small portion of Norwest so that we can protect local jobs.
“This is very different to the current approach of the NSW Government’s Department of Planning, which has resulted in unprecedented, and unplanned growth through mechanisms such as the HDA, low and mid-rise, and affordable housing bonuses. These pathways do not prioritise supporting infrastructure or orderly development.
“The HDA has fast-tracked four proposals in the Norwest commercial core that seek to transform commercial land into apartments. One proposal at 34-46 Brookhollow Avenue has ballooned from 76 apartments to an 800-apartment development after going through the HDA.
“If these HDA declarations proceed, that employment land is gone and you’ll never get it back.
“Within the Norwest Strategic Centre, nearly 70 per cent of all developable land within walking distance of the Metro stations is already zoned for residential. This land would already allow for 20,000 new dwellings without needing to encroach on the small areas of remaining commercial land.
“When the NSW Government’s planning approach comes to fruition, it will be remembered as a period of overdevelopment driven by insufficient strategic oversight. It’s no surprise the development industry is actively supporting these policies.
“It will be future generations who bear the consequences of this lack of coordinated planning, and that responsibility clearly rests at this Government’s feet.
“Housing targets must not come at the expense of jobs, essential infrastructure and sound planning.”
The Hills Council has initiated a planning proposal to amend local regulations, affecting The Hills Local Environmental Plan 2019 and The Hills Development Control Plan 2012. This proposal will be reviewed by a Local Planning Panel and the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure. A draft Contributions Plan for the Norwest Strategic Centre will also be created, with both documents to be exhibited for public feedback.
