Inappropriate, not logical and not fit for purpose are just some of the ways that Penrith Councillors have described the State Government’s draft plan to re-zone Orchard Hills.
Last month, the State Government released its Draft Re-zoning Proposal for Orchard Hills Stage 1, which shows the plan to accommodate the predicted population growth associated with the future Orchard Hills Metro Station.
A Penrith City Council report this week identified a number of issues with the draft proposal including the re-zoning of land within the prestigious The Vines Estate, land to be deferred from the re-zoning, the extent of proposed land acquisition, fragmentation of land, State Government funding of infrastructure, deliverability of the major Distributor Road, drainage, feasibility and general servicing.
“I’ve had a number of residents reach out to me that roads and other pieces of infrastructure are going directly through the middle of their properties leaving small sections of bits and pieces on either side which really does limit what those landowners are able to do with those parcels of land in the future,” said South Ward Labor Councillor Hollie McLean.
“I think the point … to really have a close look at alignment and fragmentation is going to be core to our response and what we will be looking for from the State Government reworking the proposal.”
Residents have also reached out to McLean about the current line going through The Vines that only plans for parts of the estate to be re-zoned.
“The current line that’s been put through the middle of The Vines is totally inappropriate, anyone who has been for a drive through there would know it’s obviously an inappropriate boundary to be drawing,” McLean said.
“It’s not logical. Our draft response is really clear that the State Government needs to look at where that boundary has been put.
“I know there are a range of opinions in the community, and it may be a sensitive issue, we do require a lot more consultation. The final plan cannot have that boundary where it is, it’s an inappropriate use of our land.”
Deputy Mayor Ross Fowler also expressed his concern over the current proposed boundary going through The Vines.
“The boundary for the re-zoning is illogical, it cuts through The Vines, and it leaves in question a whole lot of area to the south of The Vines which is open space and could be used for a number of matters…” Fowler said.
“It also impacts on a number of properties within The Vines estate, and I think the department should either include the whole of The Vines estate in stage 1 or exclude the whole of The Vines estate in stage 1.”
Both Fowler and fellow Councillor John Thain also spoke strongly against the current cost plan for the distributor road that will service the area.
“I think the smartest thing the department could have done is spend some time with our officers in consultation and get the officers to get the master planning right for that area, particularly when it’s our city and we know that area particularly well,” Thain said.
“The thing that particularly concerns me… is that the distributor road which connects two state roads, it connects Mamre Road, and it connects The Northern Road, should be a state road.
“There is no way that should be cost shifted onto Council and I think we strongly oppose that because it is a cost shifting exercise that we cannot do.
“It would cost Council a significant amount of money and our ratepayers over the years.
“I think they really need to go back to the drawing board, have a look at what they’ve put forward, start more consultation with our own officers and try and get it right because at the moment it is not fit for purpose.”
Fowler had a simple message for those behind the draft proposal.
“We know our community, we know what our community wants, unfortunately in my humble opinion the Department of Planning does not know our community and less so do the people working at the department know our community,” Fowler said.
“That can be overcome if they listen to council officers and listen to this council but unfortunately their definition of consultation is not what we as a council believe consultation should be.
“The message to the NSW State Government is stick to strategic stuff and let the operational stuff remain with Council because we know how to do it, and we do it well.”
Councillors agreed to write to the State Government to air its concerns, and to strongly urge the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to increase their direct engagement with the community and landowners prior to the closing of the exhibition period and if necessary, extend the exhibition period to ensure that
the consultation is done properly.
Council officers will continue to work on the submission while Councillors continue to engage with the community about their perspective on the proposal.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.