Thousands of new jobs, homes and excellent infrastructure - all part of Council’s Precinct Plans

Tens of thousands of jobs, new public spaces, more investment opportunities, housing and vital infrastructure to support a growing population are all part of The Hills Shire Council’s future plans for three of its major precincts.

General Manager of The Hills Shire Council, Michael Edgar said the draft Precinct Plans for Norwest, Castle Hill and Rouse Hill are now on public exhibition and set out Council’s 20-year vision on how each area will grow into highly valued locations.

“This is our vision to create more opportunity for the people of the Hills, including jobs close to home, more housing, new public spaces and vital new infrastructure connections,” Mr Edgar said.

“The NSW Government has earmarked our Metro Stations for growth. By concentrating high-density developments within walking distance of a world-class train line, we can preserve our existing residential character whilst providing a mix of housing options for future generations and more places where people can set up a business, such as a retail outlet or café.

“Under these plans, there is an estimated capacity for around 56,000 extra jobs by 2041, with a large share of this identified within the Norwest Strategic Centre. This means our residents can find jobs that match their skills, work closer to home, commute less, and spend more time with family and friends. It also improves access to a range of services these businesses will offer.

“Investment, attraction and growth can only make sense if it is supported by roads, green spaces, cycleways and footpaths – and our vision for these precincts includes this, as well as better connections to our centres, community facilities and public transport.

“Council is proposing to expand its parklands network and transform some of our existing ones to create more areas where residents can lead active and healthy lifestyles, including a new waterfront park at Norwest and the potential expansion of Arthur Whitling Park at Castle Hill.

“These plans also identify opportunities for more leisure, dining and entertainment activities with an ‘Eat Street’ envisaged for McDougall Lane in Castle Hill, along with an enhanced and extended Main Street that will provide a range of dining options.”

Another focus of the precinct plans is more opportunities for more homes within walking distance from the Sydney Metro rail stations to create thriving communities where residents can live, work and play in one vibrant location.

“These plans build on the strategic corridor work done to date and aim to provide greater housing choices, including larger style apartments to accommodate families increasingly seeking alternative housing options close to the worldclass Sydney Metro Northwest, our employment areas, and dining and entertainment precincts.”

Key features for the draft Precinct Plan for Norwest:

? Capacity for 30,000 extra jobs with dedicated areas for commercial office development around Norwest Station, west of Cattai Creek and along Carrington Road;

? Capacity for 18,100 homes;

? A proposed new park alongside Norwest Lake;

? Enhancement of the Cattai Creek Greenway Link Corridor alongside the Castle Hill Showground;

? New pedestrian bridges and links over Norwest Boulevard, Windsor, Carrington and Showground Roads; and

? New road links, upgrades and intersection improvements throughout the Precinct, including the potential extension of Carrington Road from Victoria Avenue through to Windsor Road.

Key features for the draft Precinct Plan for Castle Hill:

? Capacity for 13,500 extra jobs with dedicated areas for commercial office development within and around the Ring Road, including an education precinct with a new university;

? Capacity for 7,400 homes;

? Proposal to extend Arthur Whitling Reserve;

? Extension of the existing Main Street and reimagining of McDougall Lane as an ‘Eat Street’ Precinct;

? New urban plazas and expansion and enhancement of existing local parks;

? Completion of the Ring Road, from the intersection of Pennant Street and Showground Road through to Old Northern Road and Cecil Avenue;

? New pedestrian bridges and links over Pennant and Terminus Streets; and

? New road links, upgrades and intersection improvements throughout the precinct.

Key features for the draft Precinct Plan for Rouse Hill:

? Capacity for 8,800 extra jobs with dedicated areas for commercial office development that can capitalise on the planned Rouse Hill Hospital;

? Capacity for 2,750 homes;

? A new central open space and plaza area in the undeveloped lands north of the town centre;

? New pedestrian bridges and links over Rouse Hill Drive, Commercial and Windsor Roads; and

? New roads, upgrades and intersection improvements throughout the Precinct.

The draft Precinct Plans will be available for comment via Council’s website, www.thehills.nsw.gov.au, under the ‘Have Your Say’ tab. Council will also be holding workshops and drop-in sessions throughout the consultation period.

Council’s Town Planners will also be on hand to answer questions via the Forward Planning Hotline, 9843 0597.

“These plans will shape the future of these areas over the next 20 years, and I encourage the community to have their say,” Mr Edgar added.

Submissions and input from the consultation period will be considered by Council later in 2023 when deciding on whether to adopt the draft Precinct Plans.

END