Greater Macarthur Priority Growth Area plans important for Sydney’s growth

GUEST OBSERVER

The announcement by NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes that plans have been made for Wilton New Town and that the boundaries of the Greater Macarthur Priority Growth Area are to be extended is good news for managing Sydney’s growth.

Sydney’s growth needs new greenfield development as well as inner-city urban renewal.

A number of Urban Taskforce members are developing sites in the Wilton and Macarthur areas and they will be encouraged by the government’s announcement of the expanded growth area.

The go-ahead for Wilton New Town will give a focus to development in the area and ensure that jobs are able to be located in the region. The extension of the growth area boundaries to include the land release areas of Menangle Park and Mt Gilead will ensure an ongoing supply of new housing sites.

Care will need to be taken about the cost of levies that contribute to the funding of infrastructure to ensure that the levy costs do not over inflate the cost of new homes. Clearly contributions will be needed towards necessary infrastructure but Government also has a role to ensure timely delivery of this infrastructure.

As Sydney grows from a city of 5 million to 8 million over the next 40 years the boom in inner city apartment buildings must be balanced by medium density dwellings and by houses built on green field sites like the Greater Macarthur Priority Growth Area.

Chris Johnson is chief executive officer of property development industry group Urban Taskforce and can be contacted here.