The Parramatta Road, Sydney’s oldest street, is being revitalised with the addition of thousands of new homes and jobs, further accelerating the changes to the NSW Government’s planning process.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the Parramatta Road corridor’s planning proposals can now be lodged and progressed to a public exhibition in order to coincide with the completion of traffic studies.
“Parramatta Road has been a 20km scar through Sydney’s heart for far too long, but we’ve now got real momentum to transform it,” Minister Stokes said.
“Our Planning Delivery Unit has done a fantastic job in breaking down barriers between state agencies, councils and stakeholders to get the Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy off the shelf and into action.”
Minister Stokes said the NSW Government will be continuing its momentum with the upgrading of local infrastructure after the opening of WestConnex and future completions of Sydney Metro West and other necessary traffic studies.
An update to a 2016 ministerial direction now provides a statutory weight to the state government’s strategy, potentially unlocking $850 million worth of investment.
“We are now welcoming proposals to deliver up to 27,000 new homes and 50,000 jobs along Parramatta Road. The changes will allow proposals to be assessed in consultation with the community, fully informed by the transport studies now being finalised,” Minister Stokes said.
“We’ve also been working with councils to improve public space along the Corridor. A total of $198 million has also been allocated to help councils deliver 32 new projects to support the expected growth, including new parks, cycleways, plazas and public art. With these projects well underway, now is the time to progress development which will reawaken life and activity on what can become one of Sydney’s great boulevards.”
The Ministerial Order is accompanied by an updated implementation plan. The plan will guide the preparation of planning proposals and development along the Parramatta Road corridor.
The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment will work with relevant councils to progress planning proposals that are already in the system.
SOURCE: NSW DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, INDUSTRY AND ENVIRONMENT MEDIA RELEASE