Submission regarding Greater Sydney Commission Draft North District Plan Introduction Pennant Hills District Civic Trust (the Trust) represents the Pennant Hills community with the aims of preserving the qualities, and the amenity of the area, and providing a community voice to achieve these aims. Pennant Hills is located in the Hornsby Shire and is primarily a residential suburb. The physical location is close to the Macquarie Park Strategic Area and has a train connections to , Hornsby and the Macquarie Park, North Sydney, Sydney CBD economic corridor. Pennant Hills has been in a state of flux for several years while waiting for the development of a Masterplan. New major developments have resulted from a combination of ad-hoc developer driven projects, NSW government Gateway developments and Hornsby Council approved developments. It has been difficult for the different decision makes to coordinate an overall plan for urban development in Pennant Hills. We hope the Greater Sydney Commission (GSC) can assist in this coordination by building a coherent plan and more certainty of direction for the community. The Trust has been actively trying to work with local decision makers to develop a roadmap for Pennant Hills. For example, the Trust has also engaged with the GSC Hornsby Council, special interest groups and local state and federal members: • GSC – Deborah Dearing was a Keynote at AGM 2016. The Trust would like to learn from the lessons in dealing with other districts and how they apply to North District and Pennant Hills. • Special interest groups include residents and statuary authorities in relation to the freight rail line and NorthConnex. • Members of Parliament - Held meetings with Hornsby Council Officers and elected representatives, Matt Kean (State Member for Hornsby), Damien Tudehope (State Member Epping) and Julian Lesser, (Federal Member for Berowra) over a range of local issues including cycle paths, traffic on New Line Road, commuter parking etc. While the Trust is concerned with Pennant Hills, it is likely that there are many suburbs in the North District with similar issues. Pennant Hills District Civic Trust, March 2017 1 The Trust’s response to the Draft North District Plan is contained in the following two sections. The first section is a response to the GSC Vision and the second section discusses the Trust’s main issues relating to Productivity, Liveability, and Sustainability. Vision for North District In response to the 20-year vision, priorities, and actions for the North District, the Trust has the following comments: 1. Where the bush meets the city Pennant Hills is a clear example of where the bush meets the land, with the Berowra Valley to the north and the Lane Cove river valley to the south, and the naturally rural Dural, Glenorie and Forest Glen to the north-west. 2. This is a plan for a 20-year model: This vision and a more detailed housing plan is vital for Pennant Hills. There is a need for coordination between key stakeholders and improved planning concerning the types and locations of residences to be developed. The Pennant Hills community needs a plan which considers all aspects of the community, including residential, retail, commercial and recreational areas. There is a need to cater for a growing population with a combination of young families and and aging population who wish to stay or move into the community. This could be made more feasible with the implementation of the the NSW Government’s Medium Density Draft Plans. 3. Improved physical and economic links to major centres across Sydney. The Trust sees Pennant Hills to be a mixed business residential area with specialty shops and professional offices to complement the larger retail and commercial outlets in Hornsby, Castle Hill and Macquarie Centre. Pennant Hills is a transport node and corridor. Providing Pennant Hills Station with multi-storey car parking facilities for commuters for the north West of Sydney and may improve the link to these economic areas and large shopping centres. The commute times to the CBD by train from Pennant Hills are likely to grow due to the need to change trains at Epping when the North-West Rail Link is opened. The road commute times will also continue to grow unless road infrastructure improvements are made for increasing numbers of people coming from the northwest – the widened M2 is already congested and traffic proceeds slowly every peak hour. 4. Aboriginal Heritage, Community and cultural facilities It is important that the urban bushland around Pennant Hills remains well protected yet accessible to the growing population of Pennant Hills. It is important to the Trust that Pennant Hills retains its small community focus. The last 25 years have seen a reduction in accessible public space in Pennant Hills due to the installation of large short term car parking facilities for the retail centres, along with a reduction of green space and an increase in private and commercial vehicular traffic. The Trust would like to this reduction in green space reversed, leading to the creation of pedestrian zones in the heart of Pennant Hills, complete with boulevard- Pennant Hills District Civic Trust, March 2017 2 style walking areas, meeting places, and outdoor entertainment facilities. It should also be possible to walk and cycle safely throughout local community areas. There needs to be sufficient parkland available for organized sport and general leisure activities, and these requirements must be mandated in the planning guidelines. 5. Affordable housing Providing affordable housing for people who live and maybe work in the area is vital. We endorse the North District Draft Plan strategies to share the affordable housing needs across the North district and recommend Pennant Hills to be included. The affordable housing needs to relate to the needs of the community including aging population who wish to downsize, young families, local/commuter workers and those on low and average income. It should be integrated into the community and include full access to public transport. The Trust believes appropriate planning measures to be included in the District Plan which would lead to a healthy mix of affordable housing, private ownership and tenancy housing. Productivity, Liveability and Sustainability The Trust’s comments about the Productive City, Liveable City, and Sustainable City are made under the following themes: • Affordable housing and diverse housing • Pennant Hills Road Corridor • Mixed /boutique businesses in Pennant Hills • Commuter suburb – traffic, parking… • Pennant Hills Town Centre Masterplan • Bush meets the Pennant Hills Community Affordable housing and diverse housing Pennant Hills currently has a mixed population consisting of singles, families with none to several children, and retirees with a variety of incomes ranges A one-size-fits-all housing policy will not suffice and a suitable mix of residential types needs to be determined. A consultative plan should continue to be developed which will define the types of housing and where this housing will be established. This detail needs to be integrated with the Town Centre Master Plan so the requirements of the community are identified and hopefully addressed. Pennant Hills Road Corridor The Pennant Hills road corridor means the area around Pennant Hills Road from the Pacific Highway to Carlingford. The completion of the NorthConnex tunnel will significantly alter the traffic profile on Pennant Hills Road, removing the 2B-semis and increasing private vehicles and local traffic. Pennant Hills District Civic Trust, March 2017 3 The NorthConnex project has been designed to change traffic congestion and assist the movement of goods and people across northern Sydney. This project provides an opportunity to change the face of Pennant Hills Road Corridor. It is important that the implications of this change are properly planned and managed - unlike with some of the other arterial roads in Sydney. There will be opportunities to build cycle and walking paths, green verges, revitalize the shops, and build high rise and medium density housing along the corridor. There is also the opportunity to divert traffic around the local communities, including Pennant Hills. Mixed /boutique businesses in Pennant Hills The Trust believes Pennant Hills should be a mixed business, commercial and residential area. The larger retail and commercial outlets will remain in Hornsby, Castle Hill and Macquarie Centre. Pennant Hills should have: • Local shops to provide the needs of the community • Specialty shops to complement the larger shopping centres • SME businesses to support Pennant Hills and the local area • Community Services (e.g. disability and aged care services). Commuter suburb – traffic, parking… Pennant Hills is an important transport hub for the area with both a railway station and bus interchange. This is a mixed blessing to Pennant Hills, as it causes additional traffic in the area and causes parking issues beyond those of the local community. Traffic and parking issues continue to grow in the area due to the increased numbers of commuters coming into the area and potentially more with developments in the suburbs to the north west of Pennant Hills such as Cherrybrook Castle Hill and Dural. Plans to manage these issues need to be developed and implemented to allow Pennant Hills to continue to be a liveable community. Pennant Hills Town Centre Masterplan Hornsby Shire Council is in the process of developing a Pennant Hills Town Centre Masterplan. We would support the GSC if it were able to be involved in a plan beyond the town centre. A broader masterplan is required for Pennant Hills and should include the following: • Plans for local businesses • Open community space • Provision of community facilities (library, community centres, etc.) • Traffic and parking suited to local needs. • Considerations for a range of housing options The Pennant Hills District Civic Trust has been actively trying to develop a plan for several years in conjunction with Hornsby Shire Council: • The Trust conducted a two part survey its membership and was encouraged to be sent to non members through members’ neighbours and community groups.