Battling ‘overdevelopment’ nightmare

The State Government plans to change zonings to allow the development of six-storey apartment buildings within 400 metres of several rail stations across Sydney, including Berala and Lidcombe, which it identified as being capable of accommodating 138,000 new homes within existing enabling infrastructure.
The plans have councillors asking ‘where will the children play and go to school’, and ‘how will the streets cope with the increased traffic’?
However, Cumberland Council will write to the Premier opposing the proposed changes without the infrastructure development and consultation with the local community.
Cr Sabrin Farooqui said looking for housing was essential but the community and council must be consulted, and additional infrastructure must be included.
“Western Sydney is not a dumping ground, our residents deserve quality of life,” she said.
“We understand housing is needed but what about the related infrastructure development … are we going to have more schools, more parking, more public transport, more green space? The answer is no.
“All the parks are used at their maximum capacity and parking is a nightmare.”
Councillor Steve Christou fears the letter will fall on deaf ears and said “I won’t be holding my breathe for a reply”.
Almost two months after the council wrote to the State Government rejecting plans for an increase in low and medium density zones, it is still waiting a reply.
“The council must slam these proposals … they are ludicrous,” he said.
“I’m totally against the uplift.”
Cr Helen Hughes said she had been contacted by lots of worried residents and was concerned about how their daily lives would be affected.
“We do not have the infrastructure and the people don’t want overdevelopment,” she said.
Cr Kun Huang said he was disappointed the council and the community hadn’t been consulted.
The State Government said all the reforms do is require councils to consider developments they have previously completely ruled out.