A developer wants to bulldoze over 28 hectares of Blue Gum and Ironbark forest in West Pennant Hills to build hundreds of new apartments and houses. Local residents have decided to fight!

Despite the fact that extinction rates are soaring across Australia, the proposed development doesn't include any protective environmental zoning for the exceptional flora and fauna natural to this area, including the critically endangered Blue Gum High Forest and endangered Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest.

Crucially, the proposed development also lacks appropriate infrastructure and amenities for its human population, with the nearest public transport link more than a kilometre distant.

Yet the proposal would allow for 400 high density apartments and 200 medium density houses to be built on land that is currently zoned for B7 business park use. 

Apart from losing treasured local bushland, neighbouring residents would have to contend with additional traffic gridlock on local roads, especially Castle Hill Road, as a result of the increased local population.

The development would also destroy Powerful Owl habitats. The owls are listed as vulnerable species in NSW. An ecological assessment of the site discovered nesting trees and roosting habitats on, and adjacent to the proposed 28 hectare development.

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 A coalition of residents has formed to fight the development, calling for people to make objections NOW to the Department of Planning. The Department is still considering whether it will support this Gateway Proposal. It is understood that the decision will be made later in September.

Residents want the bulk of this land rezoned as E2 for environmental conservation with strong protections for mature trees on any part of the site rezoned residential. We want this beautiful forest to be protected, not bulldozed for high-density apartments.

Hills Shire Council had raised these objections:

• The proposal does not facilitate employment outcomes
• Lower density is proposed for areas adjacent to this site
• It is outside walkable catchment of Cherrybrook Station
• Impacts on local & regional road network have not been addressed
• Proposal fails to address additional local infrastructure needs
• Does not comply with unit size requirements - only 7% are larger size as opposed to 30% required by Council
• Visitor parking will be all on-street (presumably the terrace resident's parking will also be on-street)

What Can You Do

• Call your local State Member or Mirvac office to say that you object to this critically endangered Blue Gum High Forest having no protective environmental zoning. If you only get to speak to a staff member, just ask for your message to be passed on. Every message is logged!
• Make an objection
• Find further information 
  
• Why not personally contact these people? 

  The Minister for Planning: [email protected] (02) 8574 5600

  Hills Shire Council [email protected] (02) 9843 0555

  Member for Baulkham Hills: [email protected] (02) 9686 3110

  Mirvac: [email protected] (02) 9080 8632