The Western City Planning Panel has ruled that the proposed rezoning for the Walker Corp Appin Part 2 Precinct should not be submitted for to the State Government for determination primarily because the infrastructure plans and funds are not yet in place.
Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould said the council has welcomed the decision following an independent review into the proposed rezoning of almost 100 hectares at 90 and 110 Macquariedale Road Appin and 525 and 725 Wilton Road.
Mayor Gould says the decision validates council’s decision on April 29 to not support the proposal.
“Wollondilly Shire Council is willing to play our part in addressing the housing crisis,’’ he said.
“But critically, these homes need essential infrastructure including water, wastewater, roads, public and active transport, stormwater, parks, playing fields and community facilities.
“Council has been working with the NSW Government and landowners to provide certainty around infrastructure provision for this growing community in a state mandated growth area.
Our position is that housing can only go ahead where there is infrastructure in place to support it,’’ Mayor Gould said.
“We have been clear since the day the NSW Government rezoned the Greater Macarthur Growth Area that binding infrastructure plans must be in place before any housing is delivered on the ground, and this is the highest priority for all landowners in Appin.
“To be clear, council is not anti-housing, we’re pro-infrastructure and services.
“Our goal is to ensure that any growth in Appin leads to a healthy and vibrant future community with everything they will need in place to support them.
“The decision of the Planning Panel is common sense, and we look forward to working with the landowners and the NSW Government to agree on the infrastructure plans for this growth area.’’
Council says it is also providing leadership by preparing the $1.3 billion Appin local contributions plan which provides a clear strategy to ensure delivery of local roads, active transport, parks, sporting fields and community facilities.
Also, the NSW Government is working with council and landowners on the Greater Macarthur and Wilton Infrastructure Plan, to provide certainty to the local community of the short, medium and long- term infrastructure priorities and sequencing for these vital growth areas.