For most locals right now Maryfields is just a picturesque landscape to feast the eyes while waiting for traffic to move along the car park known as Narellan Road.
There are rolling hills, tree lined driveways and a scenic dam.
But before too long this view will disappear and it will be replaced with a high-tech business park, seniors living, an aged care facility and much more.
The rezoning proposal, which will be considered by Campbelltown Council at its meeting on Tuesday night (May 9) has already jumped through several hoops since 2014 and is nearing final approval stage.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]A report to council describes the plan as a “unique opportunity to provide housing and employment on a strategic site within the Campbelltown LGA.’’[/social_quote]
The site, known as Maryfields, is located at the intersection of Narellan Road and the Hume Motorway and is used for religious activities by the Franciscan Friars and Poor Clare Nuns.
While rezoning is being sought for 110 acres to be used for employment and housing, the Franciscan Friars and Poor Clare Nuns will continue to operate on the property.
The plan forecasts the medical/health precinct containing state of the art buildings would create up to 1,200 knowledge based jobs, a first for Campbelltown and Macarthur.
It could be the first step in developing a substantial hub of high paying, high-tech jobs right in the heart of the Macarthur region.
The precinct would be within easy reach of the private and public hospitals as well as the Western Sydney University medical school, located across Narellan Road.
The plan includes 500 units of medium density for seniors living, plus an aged care facility with 100 beds, which would also create up to 40 jobs.
The plan includes 93 sites for private residential housing with a minimum size of 500 square metres and a small neighbourhood shopping centre.
First submitted in June 2014, the report for tomorrow night’s meeting says the proposal is “considered to have broad strategic planning merit and has been generally supported by council given the significant potential of this centrally located precinct to facilitate housing, employment and business growth for the Campbelltown/Macarthur regional city centre.’’
But the plan also provides protection for heritage aspects, such as the famous terracotta Station of the Cross statues.
The heritage listed statues form part of a Catholic Church ceremony known as Way of the Cross.
The ceremony was held annually from 1936 onwards at Maryfields and attracted Catholics from across the Sydney metropolitan area and beyond.
They are still held at Maryfields from time to time.
Under the proposal the statues have been repaired and will stay on the site permanently
There are currently two main buildings on the property.
One is the Poor Clare Nuns Bathlehem monastery at the back of the property and the other is the Friars residence on the Blair Athol side.
There is also a small cemetery, which will also continue to operate.
Council will tomorrow night vote to place the rezoning plan on public exhibition.
I drive past there thinking, how tranquil, how beautiful and how appropriate amongst people squashed like sardines in concrete buildings…… Yet not even this can be saved by greed. Very very sad!