Mayor Asfour said councillors were only briefed about the project last Tuesday and were taken aback at what is being proposed.
The project, which is expected to generate more than $2 billion of local investment and create around 11,000 job, will deliver a mix of 3,900 new social and private homes over the next 15-20 years, and allow for more open space, greater community facilities, a better-connected street network, improved pedestrian and cycle links, and increases to building heights and housing redevelopment potential.
Mayor Asfour says the project will provide for up to 30 per cent social housing, while the rest will be sold off as private housing.
“How can they in all honesty say they are serious about social housing when they are delivering something like 170 households over 20 years,” the Mayor said.
“There are families in our community living in cars and in desperate need, and this project is way out of step with reality.
“This project is being run by the State Government and councillors have had very little say. And, from what I have seen, I have some very serious concerns.”
He said there were still many questions around what impact thousands of extra people would have on local schools, bus/rail/road transport, local businesses, community facilities and open spaces.
Incoming NSW Land and Housing Corporation Chief Executive, Simon Newport, said the proposal went far beyond just replacing the bricks and mortar.
“As more people choose to call Riverwood home, we will see greater support for local businesses and shops, particularly small businesses, and that will encourage further commercial and retail interest in the region, creating more local jobs,” he said.
Federal MP for Banks, Dvid Coleman, said the proposal “makes no sense at all and is completely wrong for our community”.
“It would see the population of the area quadruple from about 1,500 now to more than 6,000. With traffic and congestion already bad along Belmore Road, this proposal would make it far worse,” he said.
“Clearly the buildings in the housing estate need to be upgraded, but the cost of those necessary upgrades should not see a massive increase in the population of the area.”