Parramatta City Council has expressed serious concerns about the State Government’s plans to redevelop Telopea after its proposal to increase both public and private housing by 1,900 dwellings over the next 10 years.
Lord Mayor, Paul Garrard, says the proposal fails to address a number of key issues. He says although Council supported, in principal, the urban renewal of Telopea, there were still question marks surrounding the project, including the provision of adequate on-site car parking, necessary extra infrastructure, open spaces and a distinct lack of public consultation.
Council will this week write to its local state members, along with the Department of Housing and Department of Planning, outlining its concerns and asking the state government to deliver a plan that provides the right mix of social and private housing and addresses the long-term needs of the area.
"There is no denying that the Telopea area needs to be re-developed, but there are some serious flaws with the State Government’s proposal and these need to be immediately addressed," Garrard says.
"Top of the list is getting a commitment from the government that it will provide the necessary infrastructure such as improved footpaths, sewerage, electricity, community facilities and childcare facilities to support the large increase in dwellings.
"The Government’s application is also unclear on which areas will accommodate the proposed 1,400 private dwellings and whether Housing NSW will remain involved in these projects, or if the land will be offered for sale to the private sector."
The first stage of the State Government’s Telopea Urban Renewal Concept Plan includes the development of 500 public housing dwellings, followed by a further 1,400 dwellings for private use.
Gerrard says there is still no definite commitment from the government that the private dwellings would be developed and that residents were not adequately informed of the proposal and a comprehensive community consultation plan must be enacted.
