Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School

Home , Amaroo Park, Oran Park Raceway, Peter Brock

O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Submitted to Hansen Yuncken Pty Ltd

August 2019

Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

REPORT REVISION HISTORY

Revision Date Issued Revision Description

01 DRAFT 26/11/2018 Revision tracking notes Prepared by Reviewed and Verified by Samara Allen Assistant Heritage Consultant Kerime Danis Brittany Allen Director - Heritage Senior Heritage Consultant 02 FINAL 04/12/2018 Revision tracking notes Prepared by Verified by

Samara Allen Kerime Danis Assistant Heritage Consultant Director - Heritage 03 UPDATED 26/08/2019 Revision tracking notes Prepared by Verified by

Samara Allen Kerime Danis Assistant Heritage Consultant Director - Heritage

Disclaimer This report has been prepared by City Plan Heritage P/L with input from a number of other expert consultants (if relevant). To the best of our knowledge, the information contained herein is neither false nor misleading and the contents are based on information and facts that were correct at the time of writing. City Plan Heritage P/L accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance in information in this publication.

City Plan Heritage P/L Suite 6.02, 120 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000 P +61 2 8270 3500 CITYPLAN.COM.AU M:\CPHeritage\Cph-2019\19-069 Catherine Fields & East Leppington Schools\3. Report\1. HIS\UPDATED HIS Catherine Field Public School.docx Page | i

Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Background ...... 5 1.1. Introduction ...... 5 1.2. The Site ...... 5 1.3. Legal Description ...... 7 1.4. Heritage listing ...... 7 1.5. Proposal ...... 10 1.6. Methodology ...... 17 1.7. Constraints and limitations ...... 18 1.8. Author Identification ...... 18 2. Site Context and Description ...... 19 2.1. Site Context ...... 19 2.2. Site Description ...... 24 3. Historical overview...... 28 3.1. Brief Suburb History ...... 28 3.2. History of the Subject Site ...... 28 4. Assessment of Significance ...... 36 4.1. Understanding Heritage Significance ...... 36 4.2. Assessment of Criteria ...... 36 4.3. Statement of Significance ...... 37 4.3.1. Oran Park ...... 37 5. Heritage Impact Assessment ...... 39 5.1. Statutory Controls ...... 39 5.2. Camden Local Environmental Plan LEP 2010 ...... 39 5.3. Camden Development Control Plan (DCP) 2011 ...... 42 5.4. State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Region Growth Centres) (SEPP) 2006 ...... 45 5.5. Oran Park House Conservation Management Plan (CMP) 2010 ...... 48 5.6. 'Statements of Heritage Impact' (NSW Heritage Manual) ...... 49 6. Conclusion and Recommendations ...... 51

Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

FIGURES Figure 1: Site of proposed new primary school (red) in relation to 'Oran Park', 112 - 130 Oran Park Drive, Oran Park, SHR no. 01695 (green) (Source: SIX Maps, accessed September 2018)...... 6 Figure 2: View of subject site (red) in relation to distance from Sydney Central Business District (blue) (Source: Google Maps, accessed November 2018)...... 7 Figure 3: View of listed heritage item in relation to subject site (red). Note: O'Keefe Drive was not constructed at time LEP map was drawn (Source: Camden LEP 2010, Heritage Map 004 and 009)...... 8 Figure 4: SHR listing curtilage for Oran Park (SHR no. 1695). Approximate location of the subject site is indicated in red...... 9 Figure 5: Overall Site Plan (Source: Perumal Pedavoli Architects, Drawing no. 00_S002, Revision A, 15.07.2019)...... 12 Figure 6: Composite Plan - Level 00 (Source: Perumal Pedavoli Architects, Drawing no. 00_S011, Revision D, 07.08.2019)...... 13 Figure 7: Composite Plan - Level 02 (Source: Perumal Pedavoli Architects, Drawing no. 00_S013, Revision D, 07.08.2019)...... 14 Figure 8: Overall Elevations (Source: Perumal Pedavoli Architects, Drawing no. 00_S101, Revision B, 29.07.2019)...... 15 Figure 9: Overall Sections (Source: Perumal Pedavoli Architects, Drawing no. 00_S201, Revision A, 15.07.2019)...... 16 Figure 10: Excerpt from Catherine Field Public School Concept Design Report (Source: Perumal Pedavoli, Catherine Field, Concept Design Report, Revision B, 11.07.2019, pg. 20)...... 17 Figure 11: Aerial view of the subject site (red) in relation to the listed heritage item (green) (SIX Maps, accessed November 2018)...... 20 Figure 12: View north on O'Keefe Drive featuring new residential development opposite subject site. .... 21 Figure 13: view south-west from Peter Brock Drive of water body, residential development and subject site...... 21 Figure 14: View south from the subject site towards the Oran Park heritage item (main heritage structure is circled in red). The northern boundary of the curtilage of the heritage item is identified approximately 35m south of the subject site...... 22 Figure 15: View south-east from within the subject site towards South Creek, clusters of vegetation sheltering wildlife and additional residential development beyond...... 22 Figure 16: Small water body, possibly man-made lake, north of subject site featuring wildlife...... 23 Figure 17: View from subject site towards north-east featuring concrete structure atop associated mound (circled in red). Similar mounds are dotted around the southern exterior of the site, without the concrete structure, and may be associated with levelling...... 23

Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 18: Post and barbed-wire fence, and metal latticed fence entry to subject site. The unsealed road begins from this fence before branching off after approximately 35m to the north...... 25 Figure 19: view east from the entry gate featuring the unsealed road, remnants of surveyor's posts (circled in red) and additional fence alongside north/south road...... 25 Figure 20: View north-west across the subject site. Electrical pole in centre of the subject site (circled in red) and unkempt grassy surface visible...... 26 Figure 21: View north-east across the subject site towards bordering deciduous trees and Peter Brock Drive that tapers north. Further electrical poles are visible in line (circled in red)...... 26 Figure 22: View east of south-eastern corner comprising deciduous trees, grassy earth mound, electrical pole unaligned with others and surveyor's posts (circled in red)...... 27 Figure 23: View north across subject site featuring churned topsoil covered with growth, likely due to prior works...... 27 Figure 24: Undated Parish map showing the Campbell land grant, outlined in blue, and the approximate location of the subject site, outlined in red. (HLRV, map no. 140696)...... 29 Figure 25: 1956 aerial view of Oran Park House showing the gardens and plantings. Subject site circled in red, Orchard planting visible (Source: GML CMP 2010)...... 30 Figure 26: 1965 aerial view of Oran Park estate, featuring horse trotting track to the rear in the location of the subject site (circled in red) (Source: GML CMP 2010)...... 30 Figure 27: 1994 aerial of Oran Park estate, with the horse track no longer visible and undeveloped. Subject site circled in red (Source: GML CMP 2010)...... 31 Figure 28: c.2010 aerial view of the new Oran Park residential development. The subject site appears undeveloped. (Source: Near Maps via Daily Telegraph)...... 31 Figure 29: Aerial view from possibly c.2010 showing some development of the Oran Park residential area. The subject site is circled in red and does not appear developed. (Source: Carey Constructions website, accessed 13 November 2018 via http://www.careyconstructions.com.au/?portfolio=oran-park)...... 32 Figure 30: Aerial view from 2012 showing further residential development, with the subject site indicated by the red circle. No development has occurred. (Source: Near Maps via Daily Telegraph)...... 32 Figure 31: Aerial view dated c.2015, partial view of the subject site, which appears undeveloped. (Source: Near Maps via Daily Telegraph)...... 33 Figure 32: A more recent aerial view showing the development of O'Keefe Drive, directly west of the subject site (indicated in red). (Source: Google maps)...... 33

TABLES Table 1: Summary of ownership of Oran Park and the Subject Site...... 34

Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

1. BACKGROUND

1.1. Introduction

City Plan Heritage (CPH) has been engaged by the applicant to prepare the following Heritage Impact Statement (HIS) to accompany a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for the subject site at Lot 1001 of DP 1234527. The project relatesto the to proposedthe proposed const constructionruction of a ofnew a new Catherine Catherine Field Field Public Public Sch School to accommodate 1,012 students. The primary school will include 44 classrooms, a hall, an administration/sta ff, library resource centre, amenities and storage, staff car parking and site services.services.

The proposal is aimed to meet the education needs of the increasing population of Catherine Field, a suburb experiencing urban and population growth. The proposed location for the primary school is consistent with the Catherine Field (Part) Precinct 'indicative layout plan' and will provide a new school that is easily accessible for the primary school aged population anticipated within the Precinct. The proposed works have been constituted as State Significant Development (SSD 9477) in accordance with Division 4.7 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979. As the subject site is located within the vicinity of a heritage item, the relevant heritage controls contained in the Camden Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2010, the Camden Development Control Plan (DCP) 2011 and the Growth Centres State Environmental Policy (SEPP) will apply to the proposed development. This Heritage Impact Statement (HIS) assesses the likely impacts the works will have on the relative heritage values of the subject site and the heritage item in its proximity. All recommendations are made in accordance with statutory requirements and cultural heritage best practice. This HIS addresses the concept design phase only. City Plan Heritage (CPH) was not involved in the concept design process.

1.2. The Site

The subject site is located on the eastern side of O'Keefe Drive to the south of its intersection with Banfield Drive. Much of the area to the north and east of the subject site is so far undeveloped. The subject site is approximately 45.15km south-west from the Sydney Central Business District (CBD), and approximately 8.2km south-west of the Leppington train station. For a more detailed description of the site and its context, see Schedule 2.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 1: Site of proposed new primary school (red) in relation to 'Oran Park', 112 - 130 Oran Park Drive, Oran Park, SHR no. 01695 (green) (Source: SIX Maps, accessed September 2018).

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 2: View of subject site (red) in relation to distance from Sydney Central Business District (blue) (Source: Google Maps, accessed November 2018).

1.3. Legal Description

The subject site comprises Lot 1001 of DP 1234527.

1.4. Heritage listing

The subject site is not identified as a heritage item; however, it is located in proximity to the following heritage item(s):

NSW Heritage Act, 1977

State Heritage Register

'Oran Park', 112 - 130 Oran Park Drive, Oran Park (SHR no. 01695)

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979

State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Region Growth Centres) 2006

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

'Oran Park, including homestead, gardens, outbuildings, old cottage, silo, stable building, carriage house, drive and circular carriage drive' (item no. 18)

Camden Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2010

'"Oran Park" (including homestead, grounds, outbuildings, old cottage, silo, stable building, carriage house, drive and circular carriage drive)' (item no. I137)

Figure 3: View of listed heritage item in relation to subject site (red). Note: O'Keefe Drive was not constructed at time LEP map was drawn (Source: Camden LEP 2010, Heritage Map 004 and 009).

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 4: SHR listing curtilage for Oran Park (SHR no. 1695). Approximate location of the subject site is indicated in red.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

1.5. Proposal

It is proposed to construct the new Catherine Field Public School in the location identified in Section 1.2 and described in Section 2. The following is a summary description only of the proposed new works. For specific details reference should be made to the submitted concept design drawings. The construction of a new Catherine Field Public School featuring an administration/ staff building, shaded assembly area, free and open play zones, 44 classrooms, a hall, library resource centre, amenities and storage, staff car parking and site services. The proposed works have been designed by Perumal Pedavoli Architects. This HIS has considered assessment of the following information provided by Perumal Pedavoli Architects. To aid an understanding of the proposal, relevant plans and photomontages have been included at Figure 5 to Figure 10.

Drawing no. Drawing Title Revision no. Date

- Catherine Field Public School Concept B 11.07.2019 Design Report

00_S000 Cover Sheet A 15.07.2019

00_S001 Drawing List and Legend A 15.07.2019

00_S002 Overall Site Plan A 15.07.2019

00_S011 Composite Plan - Level 00 D 07.08.2019

00_S013 Composite Plan - Level 02 D 07.08.2019

00_S021 Composite Roof Plan B 29.07.2019

00_S101 Overall Elevations B 29.07.2019

00_S201 Overall Sections A 15.07.2019

01_A011 Level 00 Floor Plan - Block A B 29.07.2019

01_A102 Level 01 Floor Plan - Block A B 29.07.2019

01_B011 Level 00 Floor Plan - Block B B 29.07.2019

01_B102 Level 01 Floor Plan - Block B B 29.07.2019

01_B103 Level 02 Floor Plan - Block B B 29.07.2019

01_CD011 Level 00 Floor Plan - Block C & D B 29.07.2019

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

01_CD012 Level 01 Floor Plan - Block C & D B 29.07.2019

01_CD013 Level 02 Floor Pan - Block C & D B 29.07.2019

01_E011 Level 00 Floor Plan - Block E C 29.07.2019

02_A101 Elevations 1 - Block A B 29.07.2019

02_A102 Elevations 2 - Block A B 29.07.2019

02_B101 Elevations 1 - Block B B 29.07.2019

02_B102 Elevation 2 - Block B B 29.07.2019

02_B103 Elevations 1 - Block B A 15.07.2019

02_B104 Elevations 2 - Block B A 15.07.2019

02_C101 Elevations - Block C B 29.07.2019

02_C105 Elevation 1 - Block C A 15.07.2019

02_D101 Elevations - Block D B 29.07.2019

02_D108 Elevation 1 - Block D A 15.07.2019

02_E101 Elevations 1 - Block E A 31.07.2019

02_E102 Elevations 2 - Block E A 31.07.2019

For ease of reference the following figures provide a summary overview of the proposed works.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 5: Overall Site Plan (Source: Perumal Pedavoli Architects, Drawing no. 00_S002, Revision A, 15.07.2019).

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 6: Composite Plan - Level 00 (Source: Perumal Pedavoli Architects, Drawing no. 00_S011, Revision D, 07.08.2019).

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 7: Composite Plan - Level 02 (Source: Perumal Pedavoli Architects, Drawing no. 00_S013, Revision D, 07.08.2019).

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 8: Overall Elevations (Source: Perumal Pedavoli Architects, Drawing no. 00_S101, Revision B, 29.07.2019).

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 9: Overall Sections (Source: Perumal Pedavoli Architects, Drawing no. 00_S201, Revision A, 15.07.2019).

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 10: Excerpt from Catherine Field Public School Concept Design Report (Source: Perumal Pedavoli, Catherine Field, Concept Design Report, Revision B, 11.07.2019, pg. 20).

1.6. Methodology

This Heritage Impact Statement has been prepared in accordance with the NSW Heritage Manual ‘Statements of Heritage Impacts’ and ‘Assessing Heritage Significance’ guidelines. The philosophy and process adopted is that guided by The Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Heritage Significance, 2013 (Burra Charter 2013). The subject proposal has been assessed in relation to the relevant controls and provisions contained within the Camden Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2010, the Camden Development Control Plan (DCP) 2011 and the Growth Centres SEPP. Research for this HIS has adopted a two-stepped approach. Step 1 involving a desktop assessment and Step 2 being a site survey. This document provides the findings and recommendations resulting from this approach.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Step 1 Research into the early development of the site was undertaken to get a better understanding of the place. In addition, the Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) was searched to establish the location and background information on any Aboriginal objects or Aboriginal Places that are known to have special significance with respect to Aboriginal culture. Further, the Camden LEP 2010 and the SHR were examined to determine the known heritage values of the subject site. Step 2 An onsite survey of the subject site and the context of its setting within Catherine Field was conducted by Samara Allen and Brittany Allen on 14 November 2018 with the purpose of photographing and understanding the place. All results are presented in Schedule 2 - Site Context and Description.

1.7. Constraints and limitations

▪ Accurate measured drawings do not form part of this assessment; ▪ This assessment does not include a heritage landscape assessment; ▪ This assessment does not form part of the building consent process; ▪ This assessment relates to the proposed works and documentation described in 1.5 Proposal and 1.6 Methodology. It does not relate to any additional or revised documentation by any party. ▪ This assessment does not include for an archaeological assessment or opinions regarding such matters; neither does it form part of a Section 140 Application for an Excavation Permit or Section 144 Application for an Excavation Variation Permit ▪ This assessment does not include an assessment of Aboriginal values. An assessment of the Aboriginal cultural significance of an area can only be made by Aboriginal communities. ▪ CPH were not involved in the design process. ▪ Only a visual assessment of the subject site was carried out. Intrusive methods were not employed. ▪ This assessment does not include for the provision of a title search for the subject site.

1.8. Author Identification

The following report has been prepared by Samara Allen (Assistant Heritage Consultant) and Brittany Allen (Senior Heritage Consultant). Kerime Danis (Director - Heritage) has reviewed and endorsed its content.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

2. SITE CONTEXT AND DESCRIPTION

2.1. Site Context

The subject site is located on the eastern side of O'Keefe Drive directly to the north of the Oran Park heritage site and bordered to the north by unsealed road referred to as Peter Brock Drive. The subject site is located approximately 35m north of the boundary of the 'Oran Park', a heritage item of local and State significance listed in the Camden LEP 2010 (item no. I137) and on the State Heritage Register (SHR No. 01695) under the NSW Heritage Act, 1977, respectively. To the north of the subject site is a small water body, potentially a man-made lake, inhabited by various wildlife including ducks (Figure 16). To the north-east the cleared land along Peter Brock Drive tapers to a narrower width bordered on either side by clusters of deciduous trees. Clusters of vegetation to the east around South Creek shelter additional wildlife including kangaroos (Figure 15). Directly east of the subject site features a concreate structure at the top of a mound that was not investigated in detail (Figure 17). Towards the north and west is the residential development of Oran Park, which has been in development since circa 2010. To the west of the subject site suburban plots including O'Keefe Drive, McEvoy Street, Gale Street and Banfield Drive have been constructed featuring private residences. The main access into the immediate area is via O'Keefe Drive from South Circuit. The closest major road is Oran Park Drive, approximately 800m to the west of the subject site. Much of the surrounding context remains rural and as yet undeveloped. The following images provide an overview of the site's current context.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 11: Aerial view of the subject site (red) in relation to the listed heritage item (green) (SIX Maps, accessed November 2018).

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Residential Development

O'Keefe Drive

Figure 12: View north on O'Keefe Drive featuring new residential development opposite subject site.

Residential Development Water Body

Subject site Peter Brock Drive

Figure 13: view south-west from Peter Brock Drive of water body, residential development and subject site.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 14: View south from the subject site towards the Oran Park heritage item (main heritage structure is circled in red). The northern boundary of the curtilage of the heritage item is identified approximately 35m south of the subject site.

Figure 15: View south-east from within the subject site towards South Creek, clusters of vegetation sheltering wildlife and additional residential development beyond.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 16: Small water body, possibly man-made lake, north of subject site featuring wildlife.

Figure 17: View from subject site towards north-east featuring concrete structure atop associated mound (circled in red). Similar mounds are dotted around the southern exterior of the site, without the concrete structure, and may be associated with levelling.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

2.2. Site Description

The subject site is approximately 2.4 hectares. It is an uneven rectangular grassy, vacant lot adjacent to the 'Oran Park' heritage item. The site is secured to the south and west by a post and barbed-wire fence, accessible via metal latticed gate and kept locked (Figure 18). The topography of the site is mainly flat, with dips and groves in the soil disguised by overgrown grass species and various weeds (Figure 20 to Figure 23). The site is generally unkempt and free-growing, with evidence of varyingly aged tire tracks through the south-eastern portion. Additionally, in the south eastern portion of the site rubbish piles and constructed mounds have been overgrown, most likely associated with previous works within the site (Figure 23). An inactive electricity pole has been stationed within the site, in line with similar poles towards the north- east (Figure 20 and Figure 21). There are no longer any kinds of wires connecting any of the poles together and are thus likely inactive or connected below the surface. It was not established what additional remnants related to the poles may be present as grass and weed growth was notably higher towards the centre of the site (Figure 20). The site is bordered to the south by a short, unsealed road along the north of the post and wire fence (Figure 19). An adjoining road separates at a right angle and bisects the western-most portion of the site (Figure 19). A secondary wire and post fence along the eastern side of the unsealed road separates the majority of the subject site from the smaller western portion. Remnants of additional iron fence posts can be seen discarded throughout the site (Figure 19). The following images provide an overview of the subject site's current state.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Post and Barbed- wire fence

Entry gate

Figure 18: Post and barbed-wire fence, and metal latticed fence entry to subject site. The unsealed road begins from this fence before branching off after approximately 35m to the north.

Road branches off

Post and wire fence along north/south road

Figure 19: view east from the entry gate featuring the unsealed road, remnants of surveyor's posts (circled in red) and additional fence alongside north/south road.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 20: View north-west across the subject site. Electrical pole in centre of the subject site (circled in red) and unkempt grassy surface visible.

Figure 21: View north-east across the subject site towards bordering deciduous trees and Peter Brock Drive that tapers north. Further electrical poles are visible in line (circled in red).

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Electrical pole

Earth mound

Figure 22: View east of south-eastern corner comprising deciduous trees, grassy earth mound, electrical pole unaligned with others and surveyor's posts (circled in red).

Residential development

Churned topsoil

Figure 23: View north across subject site featuring churned topsoil covered with growth, likely due to prior works.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

3. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

3.1. Brief Suburb History

A detailed history of Oran Park has been included in Appendix B - Oran Park History.

3.2. History of the Subject Site

The historic development of the subject site is directly linked to the founding of the suburb Oran Park and the heritage item. Prior to European settlement, the Camden region was occupied by the Gundungurra people. They were dependent on the Nepean River, forest and grasslands for food and shelter.1 The subject site is located within 2000 acres that was originally granted to Captain William Douglas Campbell in 1815, known as 'Harrington Park'. Campbell was a member of the British merchant navy who moved to NSW due to his trading interests in 1801. His land grant was named after his ship, the 'Harrington'. Harrington Park was used by Campbell for pastoral cultivation and livestock until his death in 1927.2 In 1829, the portion that encompassed today's suburb of Oran Park was subdivided from the original 800 acres of Harrington Park by Campbell's nephew, John Douglas Campbell. He began construction of a residence and various outbuildings. According to the Dictionary of Sydney:3 He leased the 800-acre (323.7-hectare) property Oran to Sydney gentleman Henry Keck in 1839 for eight years, with an option to purchase the property for £1,600. The terms of the lease confirm that JD Campbell had commenced building a house at Oran Park before 1839. Historian Rosemary Broomham maintains that 'the price of the property indicates that the house was a substantial building'. Oran Park, and other colonial estates like it, were part of the spatial pattern and economic structure of the Cumberland Plain established by a powerful colonial elite by 1840. They built themselves impressive homes, and in the Cowpastures their ilk included John Macarthur's Camden Park, George Macleay's Brownlow Hill, John Oxley's Kirkham and Elderslie, Alexander Riley's Raby, Edward Lord's Orielton, William Howe's Glenlee, Thomas Hassall's Denbigh and Garnham Blaxcell's Curtis Park. This set, who modeled themselves on the British elite, established a social and economic hegemony over the region that persisted into the twentieth century. It is understood Keck's lease of Oran Park was terminated in the early 1840s, as a result of the economic depression of the time. The lease was transferred in 1842 to Henry William Johnson, who is known to have taken out two loans, however, the exact details of the loans are unknown. Secondary resources have suggested the first loan was obtained to purchase the site while the second was to finance the rest of the construction of the house onsite. In 1867 he defaulted on his mortgages and the property was taken over by Thomas Barker.4

1 'Oran Park House: Conservation Management Plan', Godden Mackay Logan (GML) Heritage Consultants, 2010, Report prepared for Valad Commercial Management Limited atf Oran Park Development Trust (Valad). 2 'Oran Pak', State Heritage Inventory Form, Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Government, accessed September 2018 via https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5052417 3 Willis, Ian, 'Oran Park', Dictionary of Sydney, 2010, accessed 13 November 2018 via https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/oran_park 4 'Oran Pak', State Heritage Inventory Form, Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Government, accessed September 2018 via https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5052417

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Ownership and residents of Oran Park continued to change throughout subsequent years and is summarised in the table below.5 During these changes in ownership the exact details of the use of the subject site could not be determined by this desktop study. The following aerial views indicate no development has occurred on the subject site, although the surrounding residential development of Oran Park has occurred. Table 1 provides a summary of the history of the site.

Figure 24: Undated Parish map showing the Campbell land grant, outlined in blue, and the approximate location of the subject site, outlined in red. (HLRV, map no. 140696).

5 Ibid

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 25: 1956 aerial view of Oran Park House showing the gardens and plantings. Subject site circled in red, Orchard planting visible (Source: GML CMP 2010).

Figure 26: 1965 aerial view of Oran Park estate, featuring horse trotting track to the rear in the location of the subject site (circled in red) (Source: GML CMP 2010).

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 27: 1994 aerial of Oran Park estate, with the horse track no longer visible and undeveloped. Subject site circled in red (Source: GML CMP 2010).

Figure 28: c.2010 aerial view of the new Oran Park residential development. The subject site appears undeveloped. (Source: Near Maps via Daily Telegraph).

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 29: Aerial view from possibly c.2010 showing some development of the Oran Park residential area. The subject site is circled in red and does not appear developed. (Source: Carey Constructions website, accessed 13 November 2018 via http://www.careyconstructions.com.au/?portfolio=oran-park).

Figure 30: Aerial view from 2012 showing further residential development, with the subject site indicated by the red circle. No development has occurred. (Source: Near Maps via Daily Telegraph).

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Figure 31: Aerial view dated c.2015, partial view of the subject site, which appears undeveloped. (Source: Near Maps via Daily Telegraph).

Figure 32: A more recent aerial view showing the development of O'Keefe Drive, directly west of the subject site (indicated in red). (Source: Google maps).

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Table 1: Summary of ownership of Oran Park and the Subject Site.

Date Event

1871 Oran Park sold to Edward Lomas Moore.

1882 Moore and his family move into Badgally house, constructed by the family nearby. The house is leaved to Thomas Cadell, who operates a dairy farm onsite.

1887 Moore dies and there is contention regarding his will.

1907 Moore's youngest son Essington Moore leases the property.

1919 Essington Moore leases the site to Charles, James and Andrew McIntosh (of neighbouring Netherbryres) for 7 years.

1930s Essington Moore returns from England and makes Oran Park his permanent home.

1937 The property is sold to Hubert Harry Robbins who modifies the house. Robbins also acquired neighbouring Netherbyres and Graham's Farm.

1945 Robbins passes, and all land is transferred to his widow, Joyce Edith Robbins.

March 1946 The three properties are combined making one 2200 title. Shortly after the title is separated out and portion 60, which included the original Harrington Park grant, was subdivided into two 500 acre allotments.

June 1946 Lot containing Oran Park house sold to Sydney merchants Arthur Raymond Booth and Robert Leslie Booth.

1947 Oran Park property sold to farmer John Thomas Vivian Frost. Orchard planted to rear of the house in extending into area of the subject site.

1960 Property sold to Cobbitty Investments Pty Limited, subdivided into 26 hobby farm lots approximately 5 acres each fronting Cobbitty Road and Camden Valley Way. Subdivisions were not successful and Cobbitty Investments unable to keep mortgage commitments.

1961 Property sold to Edward and Laura Star, hotel proprietors, as an investment. Ran cattle and sold some of the divided lots to Smiths, Hylands and Hulls.

1962 Area of the subject site is utilised as part of a horse trotting track. 18 hole golf course

1968 Property sold to John and Peggy Cole.

1969 Property sold to motor racing personality Lionel John Charles Seymour Dawson-Damer, due to its proximity to Oran Park Raceway.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

1970s The allotments appeared to have endured little development. Identified as growth area under the Macarthur Growth Centre Plan (1973).

2006 Initial investigation into construction of a residential subdivision.

2008 Property sold by the Dawson-Damer family.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

4. ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

4.1. Understanding Heritage Significance

Each place is unique and has its own combination of values. Therefore, before making decisions about the future of a heritage item it is essential to understand its heritage values so that these will be retained when making future decisions about the place. The statement of heritage significance summarises an item’s heritage values.

4.2. Assessment of Criteria

The Heritage Council of NSW has developed a set of seven criteria for assessing heritage significance. There are two levels of heritage significance, State and local. The following assessment of significance has been prepared in accordance with the Assessing Heritage Significance, 2001 guidelines from the NSW Heritage Division. (a) an item is important in the course, or pattern, of the local area’s cultural or natural history The subject site is outside of the confines of the curtilage of the associated heritage item, 'Oran Park', and does not comprise any especially important features unrecognised by it. Though part of Campbell's initial land grant, historical research to date has not identified that the subject site itself represents an importance in the course or pattern of the local cultural or natural history.

(b) an item has strong or special associations with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in the local area’s cultural or natural history The subject site does not feature built heritage or relics particularly associated with the life or works of a person or group of importance to the local cultural or natural history. The site itself can however be associated with Captain William Douglas Campbell as it was part of his 1815 2000 acre land grant 'Harrington Park', and with his nephew John Douglas Campbell following its subdivision to create the smaller estate of 'Oran Park' in 1829. This, however, is considered as a secondary importance that can relate to the whole estate.

(c) an item is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in the local area The subject site does not include items or areas important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in the local area.

(d) an item has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in the local area for social, cultural or spiritual reasons The research to date did not identify strong or special associations with any particular community or cultural group in the local area.

(e) an item has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the local area’s cultural or natural history

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Historical research to date has not indicated that the subject site may yet have the potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the local area's cultural or natural history. Southern part of the site may have some archaeological potential associated with the orchards seen up until the 1965 aerial maps. Any remnants, however, may have been substantially disturbed by the later site levelling and clearance works.

(f) an item possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the local area’s cultural or natural history The subject site does not possess uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the local area's cultural or natural history.

(g) an item is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of the local area’s  cultural or natural places; or  cultural or natural environments The subject site does not feature principal characteristics of a class of the local area's cultural or natural places or environments.

4.3. Statement of Significance

The subject site, though initially part of the 2000 acre 'Harrington Park' lands granted to Captain William Campbell in 1815, has not been included within the curtilage of the state heritage item 'Oran Park', 112 - 130 Oran Park Drive, Oran Park, SHR no. 01695. Inspection of the subject site did not identify any associated significant built heritage fabric that contributes to the understanding of the nearby 'Oran Park' heritage item or preserves elements of the historical cultural landscape. Historical research to date has not identified that the subject site features significant heritage elements that should be conserved. The subject site however does feature electrical poles and associated disturbances throughout which suggests that it has undergone numerous changes over time. Its potential to yield remnants of any orchards seen up until the 1965 may have been substantially disturbed by these changes.

4.3.1. Oran Park

The following statement of Significance has been extracted from the State Heritage Inventory (SHI) form compiled for the site of 'Oran Park', 112 - 130 Oran Park Drive, Oran Park, SHR no. 01695.6 Oran Park is of state heritage significance as an early surviving cultural landscape in NSW. Part of a 2000 acre land grant, awarded by Governor Lachlan Macquarie to William Douglas Campbell in 1815, Oran Park represents the colonial development of the Cowpastures district in the early to mid-19th century and demonstrates the emergence of country estates for the prominent and wealthy members of the colony.

6 'Oran Pak', State Heritage Inventory Form, Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW Government, accessed September 2018 via https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5052417

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Oran Park retains a number of layers of fabric that demonstrates the evolution of the property and its use over the last two centuries. Oran Park is of state heritage significance for its association with a number of prominent people, including: William Douglas Campbell (recipient of original grant and owner of Harrington Park, 1815- 27), Edward Lomas Moore (wealthy grazier and large landholder in Campbelltown district, 1871-82) and the Honourable John Dawson-Damer (engineer and motor racing enthusiast, 1969-2002). The subject site is located outside of the identified heritage curtilage of 'Oran Park', 112 - 130 Oran Park Drive, Oran Park, SHR no. 01695.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

5. HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT

5.1. Statutory Controls

Subject site is not listed or identified as a heritage item under any statutory instrument; however, it is located within close proximity to the 'Oran Park' heritage site as gazetted under the Camden Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2010, the Camden Development Control Plan (DCP) 2011, and the State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Region Growth Centres) (SEPP) 2006. 'Oran Park' is also listed as a State heritage item under the provisions of the NSW Heritage, 1977 (SHR No. 01695).

5.2. Camden Local Environmental Plan LEP 2010

The site is a listed heritage item in Schedule 5 of the Camden LEP 2010. The proposal is addressed below in relation to the relevant clauses of the LEP.

Part 5.10: Heritage Conservation How this proposal relates to these matters:

(2) Requirement for consent: The subject site is not identified as a heritage item however it is located directly north of 'Oran Park', 112 - (a) demolishing or moving any of the 130 Oran Park Drive, Oran Park, and item of State and following or altering the exterior of any of the local heritage significance (SHR no. 01695) (listed as following (including, in the case of a '"Oran Park" (including homestead, grounds, building, making changes to its detail, outbuildings, old cottage, silo, stable building, carriage fabric, finish or appearance): house, drive and circular carriage drive)' (item no. I137) (i) a heritage item, in the Camden LEP 2010). The proposed new development includes construction of a new Catherine (ii) an Aboriginal object, Field Public School featuring an administration/ staff (iii) a building, work, relic or tree within a building, shaded assembly area, free and open play heritage conservation area, zones, 44 classrooms, a hall, library resource centre, amenities and storage, staff car parking and site (b) altering a heritage item that is a building services. by making structural changes to its interior or by making changes to anything inside the Due to the proximity of the subject site to the heritage item that is specified in Schedule 5 in item, consent is required under this clause. relation to the item,

(c) disturbing or excavating an archaeological site while knowing, or having reasonable cause to suspect, that the disturbance or excavation will or is likely to result in a relic being discovered, exposed, moved, damaged or destroyed, (d) disturbing or excavating an Aboriginal place of heritage significance, (e) erecting a building on land:

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

(i) on which a heritage item is located or that is within a heritage conservation area, or (ii) on which an Aboriginal object is located or that is within an Aboriginal place of heritage significance, (f) subdividing land: (i) on which a heritage item is located or that is within a heritage conservation area, or (ii) on which an Aboriginal object is located or that is within an Aboriginal place of heritage significance.

(4) Effect of proposed development on In accordance with this clause, this HIS has given careful heritage significance consideration to the proposed development and its likely impact on the established heritage significance of the The consent authority must, before granting heritage item located in proximity. consent under this clause in respect of a heritage item or heritage conservation area, A detailed impact assessment has been provided under consider the effect of the proposed the controls for the Camden Development Control Plan development on the heritage significance of (DCP) 2011 as discussed in Section 5.3. the item or area concerned. This subclause applies regardless of whether a heritage management document is prepared under subclause (5) or a heritage conservation management plan is submitted under subclause (6).

(5) Heritage assessment This HIS has been prepared in accordance with this clause due to the subject site's close proximity to the The consent authority may, before granting heritage item, listed as '"Oran Park" (including consent to any development: homestead, grounds, outbuildings, old cottage, silo, (a) on land on which a heritage item is stable building, carriage house, drive and circular located, or carriage drive)' (item no. I137) in the Camden LEP 2010, detailed in Section 1.4. It follows the methodology in line (b) on land that is within a heritage with the NSW Heritage Manual "Statement of Heritage conservation area, or Impact" and "Assessing Heritage Significance (c) on land that is within the vicinity of land Guidelines". referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), require a heritage management document to be prepared that assesses the extent to which the carrying out of the proposed development would affect the heritage significance of the heritage item or heritage conservation area concerned.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

(6) Heritage conservation management A Conservation Management Plan (CMP) has not been plans prepared for the subject site. This HIS has provided sufficient background history and fabric analysis to The consent authority may require, after inform the significance assessment and the assessment considering the heritage significance of a of the likely impacts of the proposed development. The heritage item and the extent of change subject site is not considered of sufficient significance to proposed to it, the submission of a heritage warrant the production of a CMP. conservation management plan before granting consent under this clause.

(7) Archaeological sites While a detailed archaeological assessment has not been carried out for the site, historical research has not The consent authority must, before granting indicated the site has potential for archaeological consent under this clause to the carrying out remnants due to the substantial disturbance for its of development on an archaeological site levelling. However, considering the proposal involves (other than land listed on the State Heritage excavation within the bounds of the subject site and Register or to which an interim heritage existence of orchards along the portion of its southern order under the Heritage Act 1977 applies): boundary, should any unexpected archaeological (a) notify the Heritage Council of its findings be uncovered during construction, a stop-work intention to grant consent, and provision will be applied, and exposed findings will be assessed in accordance with the provisions of the NSW (b) take into consideration any response Heritage Act, 1977. received from the Heritage Council within 28 days after the notice is sent.

(8) Aboriginal places of heritage An assessment of Aboriginal cultural heritage has not significance been undertaken by CPH for this HIS. It is our understanding that a full assessment of Aboriginal The consent authority must, before granting cultural heritage significance will be undertaken by consent under this clause to the carrying out Biosis Pty Ltd. Findings and recommendations of their of development in an Aboriginal place of assessment are anticipated to be implemented as part of heritage significance: the development as and where required. (a) consider the effect of the proposed development on the heritage significance of the place and any Aboriginal object known or reasonably likely to be located at the place by means of an adequate investigation and assessment (which may involve consideration of a heritage impact statement), and (b) notify the local Aboriginal communities, in writing or in such other manner as may be appropriate, about the application and take into consideration any response received within 28 days after the notice is sent.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

5.3. Camden Development Control Plan (DCP) 2011

The following table addresses the relevant controls of the DCP.

Part B: General Land Use Controls This proposal relates to these matters as follows: B3.1.1 General Heritage Provisions

Design: The proposed development will consist of a new primary school in contemporary design, separate from the 1. New buildings shall be of a simple, proximal 'Oran Park' heritage item. The proposed contemporary design that avoids “heritage development will not feature sympathetic 'heritage style' style” replication of architectural or or the replication of architectural or decorative detail but decorative detail. instead comprise a contemporary design noticeably 2. New work must complement the existing separate from the heritage item at a glance. building, but it should be possible to tell the Notwithstanding, given consideration to the newly new from the old. developed urban residential context of the subject site, its contemporary architecture is consistent with this 3. When alterations or additions are control and is considered appropriate in this case. The proposed, the removal of any existing site is isolated from the significant built structures of the unsympathetic elements is encouraged. heritage item by dense and mature trees. 4. In some cases, alterations to the original Alterations and additions to the built heritage features of room layout of a heritage item is allowed the Oran Park heritage item do not form part of this provided the original details can still be proposed development. interpreted. 5. New development must be designed reflecting the general form, bulk, scale, height, architectural elements and other significant elements of the surrounding heritage items and heritage conservation areas. 6. Where an addition is not visible from a street or public place, greater flexibility in design may be considered. 7. The significant internal and external fabric and building elements of the principal building are to be retained and conserved.

Siting: Additions and alterations to the built heritage features of the Oran Park heritage item do not form part of the 8. Alterations and additions to existing proposed development. development will be sited and designed to retain the intactness and consistency of the The proposed development will take place streetscape and retain elements that approximately 35m to the north of the boundary of the contribute to the significance of the Oran Park, subsequently located to the rear of the conservation area; and the relationship of heritage item's main façade and entry with the mature trees and landscaping in between. New development will

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

that building to the other buildings of the thus be fundamentally set back from the existing group. buildings of the heritage item and will not compromise or detract from the setting, style and character of its 9. Additions are to be predominantly to the architecture. rear of the existing building. 10. Additions to the side of existing buildings will be considered where it is substantially set back from the front building alignment and the style and character of the building will not be compromised. 11. Where there is a uniform building front setback, new development must recognise this. 12. The existing informal and irregular pattern of rear property building alignments is to be retained.

Colours: Materials, colours and finishes utilised in the design for the proposed development should not be of 27. Colours on heritage items must be unsympathetic styles that will detract from the visual appropriate and complement the building aesthetic significance of the Oran Park heritage item. type and style. A basic schedule of materials and finishes have been 28. New buildings need not employ included in Section 5 of the Concept Design Report, but traditional colour schemes, but should use specific colours have as of yet not been established. The colours sympathetic to surrounding concept design however suggests that the proposed development and contribute to the development will feature CFC cladding in neutral and cohesiveness of the Heritage Place. accent colours, galvanised metal sheeting, glass, 29. Colour schemes can be used to perforated metal, plain concrete, and aluminium vertical enhance significant building features and to louvres. Although the design does suggest some accent reduce intrusive elements. colours, it does not suggest the use of bold or intense colours that will negatively detract from the aesthetic 30. Original significant brickwork that is significance of the Oran Park heritage item or interrupt unpainted or unfinished must not be significant views to or from it. The colours are based on rendered, bagged, painted or otherwise a neutral palette that draw inspiration from the local refinished in a manner inappropriate to the setting. architectural style of the building.

Fences and Gates: The proposed development will see the removal of the post and barbed wire fencing and associated entry gate 31. Where possible, existing fences that described in Section 2. This fencing is not sympathetic have been identified as being significant or to the heritage significance or style of the Oran Park that contribute to the overall setting or heritage item and will be removed and replaced with a character of a heritage place are to be more sympathetic fence likely as a safety precaution retained, rather than replaced. associated with the needs of the new primary school. 32. New fences should match as closely as New fencing to replace the post and barbed wire fencing possible the original fencing in terms of has been identified in concept design plans provided by design, materials, colour and height. If the Perumal Pedavoli Architects, outlining the boundary of original fence type is not known, it should

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

relate to the architectural period of the the subject site. The type and material for the fence has heritage building. Old photographs or not been provided. inspection of remaining fabric can often reveal the original fence type. 33. Removal of unsympathetic fences and reinstatement with fencing appropriate to the architectural era is encouraged. 34. Traditionally fence heights and styles do not obscure heritage items or dominate Heritage Conservation Areas. 35. On sloping sites fences and walls should be stepped down the slope.

Landscaping: The subject site does not feature associated gardens or prominent landscape elements that contribute to its 36. Front gardens should predominately be heritage significance, or the significance of the Oran landscaped in a style appropriate to the Park heritage item. building type and to embellish the street front elevation. The proposed development will include landscaping and minor planting as indicated in the most recent drawings. 37. Landscaping should, where possible, The nature of these plantings has not been identified but retain the original design elements, paths, is anticipated to be in accordance with the Council's significant trees and plantings. recommended landscaping for the locality.

Vehicle Access: Access to the Oran Park heritage item will not be changed or affected in the proposed new development. 40. Vehicle access shall not impact Main traffic flow will by-pass the heritage item with adversely upon the architectural character access to the subject site from the north along O'Keefe and significance of buildings or the Drive. The subdivision pattern of the new urban streetscape. development does not include roads that will bisect or 41. Driveways should be constructed of pass through the curtilage of the Oran Park heritage gravel, crushed sandstone, bricks or plain item, and the only direct vehicle access to this heritage concrete or be designed as separated site will remain via Seidler Parade to the south. wheel strips. Stencilled concrete is generally not appropriate. 42. Hard stand areas should be kept to a minimum

Part B: General Land Use Controls This proposal relates to these matters as follows: B3.2 Aboriginal Culture and Heritage

Controls A full assessment of Aboriginal Culture and Heritage will be undertaken by Biosis. Reference should be made to 1. An Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit their reports in this regard. It is anticipated that the (AHIP) is required from OEH for any activity

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

likely to have an impact on Aboriginal findings and recommendations of Biosis assessment will objects and places before work takes place. be implemented as and where necessary. This includes known Aboriginal items identified in Table B7, identified on the AHIMS register, or an Aboriginal item discovered as part of site investigations or development. 2. An AHIP is not required in any of the following cases: (a) Where the development is an exempt activity (as defined under the National Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act). (b) Where the development is a low impact activity (as defined under the National Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act). (c) Where the “Code of Practice for Archaeological Investigation” or other industry specific code of practice is strictly adhered to. (d) Where an assessment has been made using the “Due Diligence Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Objects in NSW”. This assessment can be done by anyone and includes all of the following steps as a minimum:- (i) Search the Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS). (ii) Check the site for landscape features which may indicate the presence of Aboriginal objects e.g. waterways, ridge tops, rock shelters, cliff faces, sand dunes etc. (iii) Develop strategies to avoid harming Aboriginal objects (iv) Conduct a desktop assessment and visual inspection to confirm the presence of Aboriginal objects.

5.4. State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Region Growth Centres) (SEPP) 2006

The following table assesses the proposal in relation to the SEPP.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Appendix 1: Oran Park and Turner Road This proposal relates to these matters as follows: Precinct Plan 2007 Clause 5.10 Heritage Conservation

(2) Requirement for consent The subject site is not identified or assessed as a heritage item; however, it is located directly north of the Development consent is required for any of heritage item listed under the SEPP as 'Oran Park, the following: including homestead, gardens, outbuildings, old cottage, (a) demolishing or moving a heritage item silo, stable building, carriage house, drive and circular or a building, work, relic or tree within a carriage drive' (item no. 18), as well as under the heritage conservation area, Heritage Act as 'Oran Park', 112 - 130 Oran Park Drive, Oran Park, (SHR no. 01695), and listed as '"Oran Park" (b) altering a heritage item or a building, (including homestead, grounds, outbuildings, old work, relic, tree or place within a heritage cottage, silo, stable building, carriage house, drive and conservation area, including (in the case of circular carriage drive' (item no. I137) in the Camden a building) making changes to the detail, LEP 2010. The proposed new works include fabric, finish or appearance of its exterior, construction of a new Catherine Field Public School (c) altering a heritage item that is a building therefore consent is required under clause 4 (c) of the by making structural changes to its interior, SEPP. (d) disturbing or excavating an archaeological site while knowing, or having reasonable cause to suspect, that the disturbance or excavation will or is likely to result in a relic being discovered, exposed, moved, damaged or destroyed, (e) disturbing or excavating a heritage conservation area that is a place of Aboriginal heritage significance, (f) erecting a building on land on which a heritage item is located or that is within a heritage conservation area, (g) subdividing land on which a heritage item is located or that is within a heritage conservation area.

(3AA) Effect on heritage significance As detailed above, this HIS has given careful consideration to the proposed works and their likely The consent authority must, before granting impact on the significance of the heritage item located in consent under this clause, consider the proximity. effect of the proposed development on the heritage significance of the heritage item or The proposed development will have a minor and heritage conservation area concerned. This acceptable impact on the heritage significance of the subclause applies regardless of whether a Oran Park heritage item located in proximity. Significant heritage impact statement is prepared views will be retained, alterations and additions will not under subclause (4) or a heritage take place to the heritage item as part of the proposed

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

conservation management plan is development, and historical subdivision patterns will not submitted under subclause (5). be altered. Note. The website of the Heritage Branch of A further detailed impact assessment has been provided the Department of Planning has under the controls for the Camden Development Control publications that provide guidance on Plan (DCP) 2011 as discussed in Section 5.3. assessing the impact of proposed development on the heritage significance of items (for example, Statements of Heritage Impact).

(4) Heritage impact assessment This HIS has been prepared in accordance with this clause due to the subject site's close proximity to the The consent authority may, before granting heritage item, 'Oran Park', as detailed above and in consent to any development on land: Section 2. It follows the methodology in line with the (a) on which a heritage item is situated, or NSW Heritage Manual "Statement of Heritage Impact" and "Assessing Heritage Significance Guidelines". (b) within a heritage conservation area, or A more detailed impact assessment has been provided (c) within the vicinity of land referred to in under the controls for the Camden Development Control paragraph (a) or (b), Plan (DCP) 2011 as discussed in Section 5.3. require a heritage impact statement to be prepared that assesses the extent to which the carrying out of the proposed development would affect the heritage significance of the heritage item or heritage conservation area concerned.

(5) Heritage conservation management See Section 5.2, clause 6. plans The consent authority may require, after considering the significance of a heritage item and the extent of change proposed to it, the submission of a heritage conservation management plan before granting consent under this clause.

(6) Archaeological sites See Section 5.2, clause 7. The consent authority must, before granting consent under this clause to the carrying out of development on an archaeological site (other than land listed on the State Heritage Register under the Heritage Act 1977 or to which an interim heritage order applies), be satisfied that any necessary excavation permit required by the Heritage Act 1977 has been granted.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

5.5. Oran Park House Conservation Management Plan (CMP) 2010

A further updated CMP has been completed by Tropman and Tropman in 2017 however this was not attainable for review. CPH has therefore reviewed the proposal against the previous iteration of the CMP compiled in 2010 by GML.

Section 8.4 Conservation Policies for the Site This proposal relates to these matters as follows: 8.4.1 Generally

Section 8.4.1 Generally The proposed development complies with this clause identified in the 2010 CMP. Policy 10 - Future Planning and Development within the Study Area The proposed development will be located at a lower elevation to the north of the Oran Park precinct as Given the identified heritage significance of identified in the aerial photos in Section 3.2, with main Oran Park, all development within the study views to and from the heritage item maintained. area should require consideration of its impact on the core heritage curtilage. The materials proposed in the Schedule of Materials Specifically, development within the vicinity are of neutral colours, understated, modern and in of Oran Park house should: keeping with the surrounding residential development. - not detract from Oran Park as a cultural Views to and from the Oran House precinct will be landscape; maintained by the proposed development. Though no views will be obscured, the addition of the multi-storey - not detract from the visual prominence of administration/ classroom building will create new Oran Park house and its cultural landscape views towards Oran Park hence improving its setting; appreciation by the future school pupils. The added - minimise adverse impact on views and height to the subject site with the multi-storey building vistas to and from Oran Park house precinct; will be positioned far enough from the heritage item and and at a low enough elevation that this development will not obscure views towards Oran Park. - maintain, protect and enhance views to Oran Park house precinct. Further investigation into the Aboriginal heritage and interpretation of archaeological evidence of the subject Consideration should also be giving to the site is beyond the scope of this report. It is however planning of the site in terms of: understood that an Archaeological Assessment, - Landscape and planting: new development including Aboriginal and historical archaeological should respond to an identified planting investigations, will be undertaken by Biosis Pty Ltd. palette for the study area, to strengthen and Findings of the Biosis study should be adhered to. retain remnant Cumberland Plains Woodland vegetation, particularly along property boundaries and in roadside verges. Specific consideration should be given to the future development of the site in terms of: - Materials and colours: The materials of new buildings, roof and wall colours should be recessive-neutral and non-reflective to ensure minimal visual impact on the cultural landscape of the wider setting of Oran Park.

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

- Height, bulk, scale: The location and design of new buildings should minimise the impact of future urban development on the cultural landscape character of the area through management of height, bulk and scale. The legibility of the configuration and layout of the site should be maintained/or and interpreted by: - Investigating, monitoring, recording and interpreting where appropriate the archaeological evidence of the original/earlier site development; - maintaining the significant visual links between the house and site context is identified…This policy provides a framework for interpreting key aspects of the site's earliest layout and subsequent evolution as part of its conservation and proposed redevelopment.

5.6. 'Statements of Heritage Impact' (NSW Heritage Manual)

The following table addresses the proposal in relation to relevant ‘questions to be answered’ in the NSW Heritage Manual ‘Statements of Heritage Impact’ guidelines relating to a new development adjacent to a heritage item (including additional buildings and dual occupancies).

Questions to be answered This proposal relates to these matters as follows:

How is the impact of the new The new development will take place approximately 35m development on the heritage north of the identified SHR curtilage of the Oran Park. The significance of the item or area to be subject site will be separated from the heritage item by a minimised? proposed new road off O'Keefe Drive and enclosed with a new fence to replace the existing post and barbed wire one. Direct access will not be available from the subject site to the heritage item. The subject site is located at a lower elevation and will not impact on views to or from the Oran Park main heritage structures. Significant views to and from the Oran Park heritage item will be maintained, with creation of new views towards the Park from the upper storeys of the new development's multi-storey buildings.

Why is the new development required to The proposed development will feature a new school be adjacent to a heritage item? identified to meet the education needs of the growing

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Heritage Impact Statement Proposed Catherine Field Public School O'Keefe Drive, Oran Park NSW 2570 Project # H-19 069 August 2019

Catherine Field community. The subject site is located within an upcoming suburban area, located to the east of large-scale residential development. The site has been chosen for the development as it is a centrally located lot within the Catherine Field (Part) Precinct and will provide an educational facility that is easily accessible for the primary school demographic anticipated for the Precinct.

How does the curtilage allowed around The curtilage surrounding the Oran Park heritage item has the heritage item contribute to the been designed to encapsulate the significant built heritage retention of its heritage significance? items associated with the site as defined under SHR plan 1927. The curtilage boundary is situated approximately 35m south of the subject site, separated by post and barbed wire fence. The position of the post and barbed wire fence has ensured that a large buffer has surrounded the heritage item to the north.

How does the new development affect The new development will positively contribute to views to views to, and from, the heritage item? the heritage item. The subject site has been previously What has been done to minimise undeveloped, with the new development proposing the negative effects? addition of a multi-storey building as part of the overall design. The multi-storey building will provide opportunity for additional elevated views to the heritage item as the subject site is located at a lower elevation. The additional views will provide opportunity for the future pupils and staff of the school to appreciate the aesthetic and historical significance of Oran Park. In addition, views to the Oran Park heritage structures will not be negatively affected as the subject site is located to the rear (north) of the front facade. Significant views will also be maintained from as the Oran Park heritage item as it is located at a higher elevation than the proposed development. Any likely effect will be minimised by utilising neutral colours and architectural design on the built items of the proposal, with outdoor features and areas on the opposite side (north) of the main structures and thereby out of sight of the heritage item but blending into the new landscaping proposed for the development site.

Is the development sited on any known, The development has not been sited on any known or or potentially significant archaeological potentially significant archaeological deposits. Further deposits? If so, have alternative sites historical and Aboriginal archaeological studies will be been considered? Why were they undertaken by Biosis Pty Ltd to ascertain the sensitivity of rejected? the site in this regard. Recommendations of their findings will be considered accordingly when known.

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Is the new development sympathetic to The new development is sympathetic to the heritage item the heritage item? In what way (e.g. form, due to its separation, and for maintaining a clear sitting, proportions, design)? differentiation between the significant features of the item and the new development. This will be visible in the contemporary design and the palette of materials utilised to construct the new school (i.e. FC cladding, corrugated metal sheeting, galvanised balustrades, and plain concrete). No additions or alterations will take place directly to the heritage item.

Will the additions visually dominate the The new additions will not visually dominate the heritage heritage item? How has this been item. The proposed development will occur at a lower minimised? elevation to the Oran Park, approximately 35m to the north. The topographical difference minimises the effect of the new development however this has further been compounded by the intended use of neutral colours and architectural design that will not appear striking or detract from views to or from the heritage item.

Will the public, and users of the item, still The general public and visitors, to both the new be able to view and appreciate its development and the Oran Park heritage item, will be able significance? to view and appreciate the significance of Oran Park.

6. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In conclusion, it is considered by City Plan Heritage that the proposed works, including construction of a new Catherine Field Public School featuring an administration/ staff building, shaded assembly area, free and open play zones, 44 classrooms, a hall, library resource centre, amenities and storage, staff car parking and site services will result in minor and acceptable impact to the heritage significance of the nearby heritage item, 'Oran Park'. The proposed development will maintain the significant views to and from Oran Park, whilst contributing new opportunities for aesthetic and historical appreciation by future staff, students and visitors to the new school. Views will be maintained and enhanced by: ▪ Providing the opportunity for new elevated views toward the heritage item resulting via the construction of new, multi-storey buildings within existing lower elevations; ▪ All new structures will be located to the rear (north) of the front façade to the Oran Park heritage item (primary access being via Seidler Parade), with outdoor features in turn located north of proposed multi-storey school buildings which will shield these features from view from the south; ▪ A setback of approximately 35m (north) from the curtilage of the Oran Park heritage item will be maintained; and ▪ Utilising a neutral colour and material palette with some accent inspired by the surrounding landscape.

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The proposed works will take place approximately 35m north of, and at a lower elevation to, the 'Oran Park' heritage item and separated from it by both a new road and new fencing. No direct additions and alterations to the heritage item will occur under the current proposed development. Historical and cultural archaeological values of the site are currently being assessed by Biosis Pty Ltd and will be considered when their findings are known. The proposal demonstrates compliance with the existing controls regarding heritage conservation and is therefore recommended to Council for approval.

CITY PLAN HERITAGE August 2019

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APPENDIX A Architectural Drawings and Concept Design Report Prepared by Perumal Pedavoli Architects, dated 11.07.2019 - 31.07.2019

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APPENDIX B The following detailed history of Oran Park has been extracted from the Dictionary of Sydney and was written by Ian Willis in 2010. Oran Park Oran Park is a locality on the southwest rural-urban interface of the Sydney metropolitan area. It is an area that has been a zone of transition and contrasts, similar to other parts of the Sydney basin. For some it is a place of loss, while for others it is a place of hope and a fulfillment of their dreams. The western part of the locality of Oran Park is delineated by the Northern Road, the southern boundary is Cobbitty Road, while in the east the area is bounded by the watercourse of South Creek and in the north Lowes Creek. The area has always had a rural character and in 2001 the population of the Oran Park–Catherine Field area was 1,470, yet within 20 years Oran Park is predicted to grow to 25,000, while the Camden local government area will surge by 390 per cent to a population of over 250,000. The area has never had closer settlement, and the nearest urban centres have been the hamlet of Catherine Field to the north, the village of Cobbitty to the west and the township of Narellan to the south, along with the new suburbs of the Harrington Park development. The locality was part of Nepean Shire Council until 1948, at which time the shire council was split up between Penrith, Liverpool and Camden Councils. Oran Park was part of the shire's C Riding and was amalgamated with Camden Municipal Council. Originally Oran Park was part of the traditional land of the Dharawal people, who were dispossessed, and then displaced by Europeans who established their grand colonial estates. Until recently the area largely retained a rural character with open pastures and rolling hills, creating a picturesque landscape reminiscent of rural England. The rural character has never been seriously challenged, although there have been a golf course, a trotting track, and a motor racing circuit, while some had dreams of theme parks. The first developer subdivisions in the 1960s were for small-scale hobby farming, which saw the appearance of stables, small-scale floriculture and horticulture. These urban fringe-dwellers have been recently joined by developer corporations selling dreams to new suburbanites who live in streets named after motor racing celebrities. Early estates The European domination of Oran Park commenced with the two principal land grants, one of 2,000 acres (809 hectares), Harrington Park, granted to William Douglas Campbell in 1815, and another to George Molle in 1815, Netherbyres, of 1,600 acres (647.5 hectares) which ran between South Creek and the Northern Road. Campbell was a member of the British merchant navy, who first visited New South Wales in 1797, and eventually returned in 1801 as master of the brig, Harrington. He had trading interests in the Pacific and was a knowledgeable navigator of the Pacific region. He settled on his property in 1817 and named it after his ship. He died in 1827. In 1829 the Oran Park portion of Campbell's grant (800-acres) was sub-divided from the Harrrington Park estate and assigned to John Douglas Campbell, William's nephew. He leased the 800-acre (323.7-hectare) property Oran to Sydney gentleman Henry Keck in 1839 for eight years, with an option to purchase the property for £1,600. The terms of the lease confirm that JD Campbell had commenced building a house at Oran Park before 1839. Historian Rosemary Broomham maintains that 'the price of the property indicates that the house was a substantial building'.

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Oran Park, and other colonial estates like it, were part of the spatial pattern and economic structure of the Cumberland Plain established by a powerful colonial elite by 1840. They built themselves impressive homes, and in the Cowpastures their ilk included John Macarthur's Camden Park, George Macleay's Brownlow Hill, John Oxley's Kirkham and Elderslie, Alexander Riley's Raby, Edward Lord's Orielton, William Howe's Glenlee, Thomas Hassall's Denbigh and Garnham Blaxcell's Curtis Park. This set, who modeled themselves on the British elite, established a social and economic hegemony over the region that persisted into the twentieth century. Unfortunately for Keck, the depression of the 1840s resulted in his lease on Oran being transferred to Henry William Johnson. Johnson completed the purchase of the property for £1,600 by raising a mortgage with JD Campbell and later Thomas Barker. Broomham maintains that the 'high price he paid for the property disproves the apocryphal tale that he built the entire house in 1857'. Johnson lived at Oran Park until 1869 when he defaulted and Barker foreclosed on him. Barker (of Maryland and Orielton) was one of the wealthiest men in the colony and a man of influence. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council 1853–56 and the Legislative Assembly 1856–57. Oran Park house was a typical country manor house with panoramic vistas over the landscape and to the important access point of the estate, reminiscent of the English park. It was set on a knoll creating 'an imposing composition set amongst landscaped grounds' and an example of the Summit Model of homestead, sited on a hilltop with the homestead complex. The house was a Georgian form with a symmetrical front, 12-paned windows and six-panelled doors, marble chimney pieces, plastered internal walls and plaster ceilings. It had two storeys, built of English bond brick. It had a lead-lined flat roof behind parapets, a two-storey timber verandah on three sides and an attached three-storey octagonal tower at the rear. The interior had detailed cedar joinery and paneling, particularly in the main entrance hall, and a geometric staircase with a large arched stair window. There was a two-storey servants' wing at the rear. The outbuildings included a cottage, silo and stable. The front of the house had a carriage loop with plantings forming a circle in front of the house, with a driveway to its entrance from the intersection of Cobbitty Road and Cowpastures Road. Barker sold Oran Park to Campbelltown grazier Edward Lomas Moore (of Badgally) in 1871, the son of an assigned convict. Moore also owned the neighboring property Netherbyres and leased part of the combined property to farmer Thomas Cadell in 1882. EL Moore lived at Oran Park during the 1870s and 1880s and died in 1887 (at his new house at Badgally). After his death there were questions about the estate and Oran Park eventually passed to John and Frederick Moore in 1904. Frederick Moore was mayor of Campbelltown from 1901 to 1909. Twentieth-century changes In 1907 Oran Park was sold to Essington Moore, who in 1919 leased it and the neighboring Netherbyres, to Charles, James and Andrew McIntosh for seven years. In 1939, after Moore's death, Hubert Harry Robbins, described as a Sydney gentleman, purchased Oran Park and the neighboring properties of Netherbyres and Graham's Farm. Historian Helen Proudfoot maintains that Robbins and ER Smith ran Oran Park as a golf club along with racing and trotting courses. The house was apparently extended in the 1930s, the roof reconstructed, the side verandahs built in and a west wing and front portico added. [3] Robbins died towards the end of the war and in 1946 his wife Joyce, consolidated the three properties into a single title of 2200 acres (890 hectares). She then promptly subdivided the property and sold off a 507-acre (205-hectare) allotment. During World War II, when HH Robins owned the Oran Park property, 260 acres (105 hectares) were used by the military for the Narellan Military Camp. The camp was located on the intersection of Cobbitty Road and the Northern Road (Green's Corner), and occupied all four points of the intersection. The camp and its facilities, which also occupied parts of Denbigh and Harrington Park

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properties, functioned as a military base from 1940 to 1944, with all buildings disposed of by 1946. The camp was used for troop training, where raw recruits were formed into units, then mobilised for active service in the Pacific conflict. The camp, which was planned to accommodate over 3,500 troops, was a tented camp with huts for administration, storage, messing and recreational purposes. [5] During the occupation part of the Oran Park property was used as a grenade firing range. It was one of three practice ranges adjacent to the camp. The 507-acre property changed hands and was sold in 1961 to Edward Alfred Star, a Rose Bay hotel proprietor, and his wife Emily. They subdivided the Hume Highway and Cobbitty Road frontages into 26 hobby farms lots of five acres (two hectares) each. The remaining property was further subdivided into three hobby farms, one of which contained Oran Park homestead and 229 acres (92.6 hectares). Star retained one lot and sold the others, which included the homestead, to Newport investors John and Peggy Cole in 1968. The Coles sold Oran Park homestead and stables in 1969 to the Honourable Lionel John Charles Seymour Dawson-Damer, a member of the English aristocracy. The Dawson-Damers undertook restoration guided by architect Richard Mann. John 'DD' Dawson-Damer was an Old Etonian and car collector. He was a prominent motor racing identity and was killed in an accident while driving his Lotus 63 at a race meeting at Goodwood, West Sussex in 2000. Dawson-Damer was the managing director of Austral Engineering Supplies Pty Ltd, and was involved with the International Automobile Federation and the Historic Sports Racing Car Association of New South Wales. Ashley Dawson- Damer, his socialite wife, was a member of the council of governors of the Opera Australia Capital Fund and a board member of the National Gallery of Australia Foundation. After her husband's death she sold the house in 2006, with its historic gardens and 107 hectares of pasture, for $19 million to Valad Property Group. In mid-2009 Mark Frinsdorf of the Valad Property Group stated that in the future Oran Park house and the surrounding gardens will become part of a 'high quality integrated heritage residential development as part of the residential growth release area in South West Sydney'. In late 2009 Valad put the property up for sale and then withdrew it six months later. Oran Park house has been under consideration for listing on the New South Wales State Heritage Register since 2004. [8] The lack of movement on this important heritage item reflects the tenuous nature of heritage protection for some New South Wales colonial properties. Motor racing The south-western and western part of the original estate adjacent to the intersection of Cobbitty Road and the Northern Road was the location of the Oran Park Motor Racing Circuit. The main grand prix circuit was 2.6 kilometres long with a mixture of slow, technical and fast sweeping corners as well as changes in elevation around the track. The main circuit was broken into two parts. The south circuit was the original track built in 1962 by the Singer Car Club. It consisted of the main straight, pit lane garages and a constant radius 180-degree turn at the end. The track hosted its first Australian Touring Car Championship in 1971, which was a battle between racing legends Bob Jane and Allan Moffat, and drew a crowd of over 30,000. The north circuit was added in 1973 and was an 800-metre figure of eight. In 1976 there was a proposal to create a sports and recreation centre on the raceway. The development was raised again in 1981 and was to include a themed entertainment park, an equestrian centre, dude ranch, motel, health and fitness centre, model farm and cycling, hiking and bridle trails. But it all came to nothing. In 1983 Bill Cleary stated to the Macarthur Advertiser that his family had owned the property for 38 years. It was subsequently sold in the mid-1980s to Leppington Pastoral Company, owned by the Perich family. Leppington Pastoral Company is arguably one of the

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largest and most advanced dairy farms in Australia with a herd of 2,000 cows. The Perich family also has interests in Narellan Town Centre, the Oran Park Town centre land release and fertilizers. Over the years the raceway has been the base for a number of subsidiary activities that included a two dirt circuits, two four-wheel training venues, a skid pan and a go-kart circuit. The racing circuit has been used for a variety of motorsport including club motorkhanas, touring cars, sports sedans, production cars, open-wheelers, motocross and truck racing. The track hosted the Australian Grand Prix in 1974 and 1977. In 2008 a number of organisations used the circuit for driver training, including advanced driving, defensive driving, high performance and off-road driving. The December 2008 V8 Supercar event was the 38th time a championship was held at the track. The racing circuit was rezoned for housing in 2004, and Tony Perich was launched into the BRW Top 200 rich list and named the 42nd richest person in Australia. The New South Wales Planning Minister, Craig Knowles, announced a partnership between Greenfields Development Corporation, a Perich family company, and Landcom for the development of the Oran Park raceway for housing. Sadly for motoring enthusiasts the circuit was eventually closed in January 2010. The track has been silenced, like other Sydney suburban raceways, which have included Amaroo Park, Warwick Farm, Mt Druitt, Sydney Showground, Liverpool and Westmead speedways. Many racing legends have driven on the track over the years. The list has included Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Stirling Moss, Kevin Bartlett, Fred Gibson, Ian Luff, Bathurst legends Alan Moffat and Peter Brock, and Formula One driver Mark Weber. Many innovations were implemented at the track and included night racing, truck racing and NASCAR racing. The track was always a crowd favourite. Fans were close to the action and could see the entire circuit. According to David Fitzsimons the crowd had a 'fantastic vantage point on the hills and from the grandstands'. Motoring enthusiasts might miss the spectacle, but they will not miss the basic amenities and the long queues of traffic in and out the circuit. [11] Oran Park is a place of lost memories and grieving. Motoring enthusiasts have been displaced and dispossessed by a new band of arrivals who have different hopes and aspirations. Suburban development Oran Park and the associated Turner Road precincts (now Gregory Hills) were the first two areas that were developed as part of the state government's South West Growth Centre plan. The government's Growth Centres Commission stated that the South-West Growth Centre stretches from the edge of Currans Hill and Harrington Park in the south to Kemps Creek in the north. The centre is divided in 18 precincts and is eventually planned to accommodate 295,000 people by 2031. The Oran Park and Turner Road Development is expected to house 33,000 people. In 2007 Tony Perich told the Sydney Morning Herald that his development company, Greensfields Development Corporation, planned to build almost one-fifth of the 11,500 dwellings in Oran Park and Turner Road in a joint venture with Landcom. The Planning Minister, Frank Sartor, stated that the state government would create 'liveable communities'. [13] In 2008 the new Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, declared that Oran Park was 'the biggest residential development we have seen in Sydney for the past 10 years'. The project would incorporate cycling and pedestrian paths, a supermarket, retail complex, medical and civic centre, library, police station and other government agencies. The minister said that phase one would have two school sites, a display home village, road infrastructure, playing fields, cycle paths, a seniors' living precinct and the first commercial building of the town centre.

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Not everyone was so sure about these developments and in 2007 the Macarthur Chronicle greeted the news with a headline, 'Home invasion'. 'The rural landscape surrounding Camden will be engulfed by suburbia'. [15] Even at this early stage journalist Catharine Munro predicted that the urban development would be 'as dense as some of Sydney's most congested areas'. [16] In 2008 Chris Patterson, Camden's mayor, stated that 'locals were bracing themselves for an onslaught of new residents.' Rob Elliott, the president of Macarthur Regional Organisation of Councils, was concerned about the provision of adequate infrastructure and predicted that new residents would be 'busy sitting on Narellan Road stuck in traffic'. [18] His words were prophetic, as morning commuters will currently attest. The poor provision of public transport has meant that the Camden local government area has one of the highest car ownership rates in the Sydney area, a trend likely to continue into the foreseeable future. The first Oran Park home sites were released for sale in late March 2010. Buyers camped out for days in the hope of purchasing their part of the Australian dream. A shortage of new-home sites in the Sydney basin has resulted in a pent-up demand for housing. According to the buyers, the attractions of Oran Park are the community concept and the affordability of the development. A thematic approach has been taken throughout the master-planned estate and the developers have paid homage to the raceway, rural themes and token gestures to the area's history. Robert Sullivan, spokesman for Landcom, stated that future residents will be able to see an artist's version of a chequered flag where the old finish line used to be; buy a house along the main straight; live in streets named after Brock, Moffat and the ilk; relax in Wayne Gardner Reserve; and let their children play on the pedal cars on the miniature racetrack opposite the sales centre. A statue of a cow is located outside the sales centre, and a herd of cows provided a backdrop to the carpark on the open day, while the Perich family continue their dairy business on the farm adjacent to the development site. In reality the new fringe dwellers are just part of the extension of Sydney's urban sprawl, although Landcom's Robert Sullivan vehemently denies this. He maintains that, 'we're putting a new town on the map of Sydney' and draws a comparison with developments at Rouse Hill. A new suburb An associated part of the Oran Park precinct is the new suburb called Gregory Hills. It is part of the Turner Road release and was established in 2008 east of Camden Valley Way. Gregory Hills is located in the upper reaches of South Creek and constitutes the conjunction of the boundaries of Oran Park, Catherine Fields, Currans Hill and Smeaton Grange. The development is made up of 415 hectares of Marist Brothers-owned land that was part of St Gregory's college. The name Gregory Hills is derived from the original St Gregory's Chapel on the Marist Brothers land and the topography of the area. There was controversy over the naming of the locality after the developer, Dart West Developments, wanted to call it Camden Hills. There was local opposition and other suggested names included St Gregory's Hills, Gledswood Hills, Chisholm Hills and Scenic Hills. In 2007 planning consultants Development Planning Strategies stated that the site should have a 'sense of identity and one which is easily recognisable to the area'. The consultants maintained that the name Gregory Hills would provide residents with a 'sense of community ownership and awareness of the historical land uses and foster a sense of place'. The name Gregory Hills was registered with the Geographical Names Board in 2008.

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Building community in these greenfield developments is a challenge and developers' promotional material is rich in its rhetoric. Community building is about participation and the creation of social capital. New arrivals might live on the rural fringe yet their heads are firmly located in the metropole. New suburbanites are part of the Otherness. They are outsiders trying to get on the inside. It is a challenge most will aspire to, few will succeed. The commodification of the rural setting and local history area constant themes for land releases in the Camden local government area. The Dart West website claimed in 2009 that their development is 'located in the historic and beautiful Camden district, combining the best of Camden country living'. New residents' houses, the developer maintained, will be 'set in rolling paddocks and bushland ridges and valleys in a beautiful rural environment'. [22] These values are at the heart of the existing community's sense of place and identity, and attract the new suburbanites. The new arrivals come looking for a place where 'the country looks like the country'. Yet the paradox of the whole situation is that in time they will convert the area into something that they are trying to escape, Sydney's urban sprawl.

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