NEW HOMES AND JOBS PLANNED FOR POTTS HILL

A new residential development, four new recreational parks and a business park providing 800–900 jobs, are just a part of Sydney Water and Landcom’s proposal for redevelopment of the Potts Hill Reservoir site.

The community is invited to have its say on the proposal, which is on public exhibition until Monday 1 September 2008. The proposal is available on Landcom’s website (www.landcom.com.au) and can be viewed at Bankstown and Auburn libraries.

Camille Abbott, Landcom’s development director, said that Landcom and Sydney Water are committed to consulting with the community and have already taken onboard useful input from the community in the redevelopment proposal.

’We propose a range of housing options to a maximum of 410 homes to meet different needs and family types, each designed carefully so they are consistent with the existing character of the local area. The majority of homes would be single houses but two smaller areas of medium density development such as town houses, seniors housing and small apartments are also an element of the proposal.’

Landscaping and other techniques will also be used to ensure there is minimal visual impact by the new residential area on the existing community. A network of new roads, cycle-ways and walking paths will connect future and existing residents with local transport, community services and parks.

Four areas of open space will be located throughout the residential area for both new and existing residents to enjoy and rare plants and important habitat will also be protected along with the sites rich heritage.
Sydney Water will continue to operate from the site into the future. Sydney Water will continue to use the majority of the Potts Hill Reservoir site for water storage and distribution and plans to build a new field headquarters in the proposed business park for around 450 employees.

A business park, covering around 15 hectares of land, would provide employment for 800–900 people. The NSW Police is also interested in using part of the new business park, as is EnergyAustralia. Transgrid may also develop a new electricity substation there to improve electricity supply to the metropolitan area.

Ms Abbott said that in addition to the public exhibition period, focus groups will be held to further gauge community views.

‘It’s important to Sydney Water and Landcom that the development is seen as a positive project for the local community, by the community itself,’ Ms Abbott stated.

Details of the proposal, including potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation strategies, are contained in a Concept Plan Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA has been prepared by Sydney Water and Landcom under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

For further information about the proposal and the community focus groups, call 1800 768 226 or visit www.landcom.com.au.


Additional information:

• In 2006, Sydney Water identified portions of the Potts Hill Reservoir site as no longer required for operational purposes. Sydney Water has developed options for redeveloping these areas in partnership with Landcom.
• The Potts Hill site is 116 hectares in total. The redevelopment proposal covers approximately 40 hectares.
• Planning Minister Frank Sartor listed the Potts Hill Reservoir site as State Significant in July 2007. The redevelopment proposal will be assessed as a major project under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.
• If approved, the project will make an important contribution to meeting housing and employment targets set out in the Sydney Metropolitan Strategy.

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