Client Department of Planning and Infrastructure

Project Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct

Date Contact 12 June 2013 Jenny Vozoff 93872600 [email protected]

Prepared by Jenny Vozoff and Chris Manning Reviewed by

Chris Manning

Date 12 June 2013

Job number 12/2887 Updated Final East Leppington Report 12 Document name June 2013

Version 2

This document is printed on paper produced using sustainable forestry practices and chlorine free pulp

7.5 Active sporting open space 52 Contents 7.6 Natural settings and linkages 55 7.7 Conclusion 57

8 Conclusion 58 8.1 Summary conclusion 58 8.2 Land requirements 59 Executive Summary 1 9 References 63 1 Introduction 3

1.1 Background to the study 3 1.2 Development context 3 1.3 Scope of this study 5 Figures Figure 1 East Leppington Precinct Aerial Map 4 1.4 Study process 5 Figure 2 Existing community infrastructure – 2 Policy framework 6 Education and childcare 19 2.1 Metropolitan Plan for Sydney 2036 6 Figure 3 Existing community infrastructure – Community services and centres 20 2.2 Southwest Subregion Draft Subregional Strategy 7 Figure 4 Existing community infrastructure - Open Space and Recreational Facilities 23 2.3 Growth Centres SEPP 7 Figure 5 Indicative Layout Plan 34 2.4 Growth Centres Development Code 7

2.5 Camden Council policies 9

2.6 Liverpool Council policies 9 Appendices 2.7 Campbelltown Council policies 10 Appendix 1 Regional open space and recreation facilities 65 3 Principles and approach 12 Appendix 2 Extract from Urbis 2012 – Existing 3.1 Principles for sustainable community Social Infrastructure near East Leppington 76 infrastructure 12

3.2 Approach to planning social infrastructure 13

3.3 Approach to open space planning 14

4 Existing social context 16 4.1 Social profile 16 4.2 Existing social infrastructure 18

5 Population forecasts 29 5.1 Development scenario 29 5.2 Estimating occupancy rates 29 5.3 Projected population numbers 30 5.4 Age and household characteristics 30

6 Community facility requirements 33 6.1 Indicative Layout Plan 33 6.2 Local and district standards for provision 33 6.3 Community facility requirements 36 6.4 Conclusion 42

7 Open space and recreation requirements 43 7.1 Demand considerations 43 7.2 Standards and rates for provision of open space 44 7.3 Recommended quantum of open space 47 7.4 Passive open space for recreation 50

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 1

will not be conveniently accessible for local sporting Executive Summary activity by the future East Leppington population.

In time, as the adjacent Growth Centre precincts develop, some of their existing facilities are likely to be redeveloped to meet the needs of their future populations. Any spare capacity which currently This report provides demographic analysis and an exists in facilities and open space within Camden and assessment of the social infrastructure required to Liverpool LGAs is likely to be taken up by population support residential development within the East growth in other release areas already approved. Leppington Precinct of the South West Growth Centre of Sydney. The report has been prepared for This means that future demand for local level the Department of Planning and Infrastructure facilities, services and open space will need to be (DP&I) as one of a number of specialist technical addressed by new social infrastructure to be studies required to inform the planning process for provided within the East Leppington Precinct. the precinct. The study has been undertaken by Elton Consulting in association with Parkland Chapter 4 also considers the availability of district Environmental Planners, who have had responsibility and regional facilities and the extent to which they for the open space and recreation advice and may be able to meet demand arising from analysis. development in East Leppington Precinct. The needs of the future East Leppington population for regional This Report contains ten chapters. level facilities, services and open space will be met by existing facilities and open space and by those Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the study, proposed to be developed within the North describes its development context and outlines the Leppington Precinct. There will be no need to study scope and process. provide any regional facilities or open space within the East Leppington Precinct. Chapter 2 outlines the policy background to the study, identifying objectives for the provision of Chapter 5 considers the future population of the social infrastructure and open space for the precinct East Leppington Precinct. Based upon an anticipated within the Metropolitan Plan for Sydney, South West yield of 4,386 dwellings across the precinct derived Sub-regional Strategy, Growth Centres SEPP and from the ILP (version 12.6), it is estimated that the Development Code, and policies of Camden, future population of the Precinct will be about 14,493 Campbelltown and Liverpool Councils. These policies people at completion. About 3,485 people will live and objectives provide the framework and criteria within the Liverpool LGA component of the precinct, against which the Indicative Layout Plan (ILP) for the about 2,174 in the Camden LGA component and precinct is assessed. about 8,834 people will live within the Campbelltown LGA component. This population is expected to have Chapter 3 outlines principles for the provision of reasonably similar characteristics to households in social infrastructure and the approach to the other recent release areas in South West Sydney. planning of social infrastructure and open space adopted in this study, drawing from the objectives of Chapter 6 examines requirements for local and the policy framework in Chapter 2. district level community facilities to be located within the East Leppington Precinct. Recommendations Chapter 4 examines the social context of the East include: Leppington Precinct, including the social profile of the population of the surrounding area and existing  One public primary school, to be provided by DEC services, facilities, open space and recreational facilities. In terms of local and district social  Neighbourhood level retail services for daily needs infrastructure, it finds that the Precinct contains no existing community facilities, services or open space  A neighbourhood level multi-purpose community which might be used or adapted for use by the centre of around 600 - 620sqm, as a base for future population of East Leppington. local community activities and services, to be owned and managed by Campbelltown Council Some local level facilities and open space areas are located in adjacent areas. However these are not  Possibly three or four child care centres to be within local walking distance for the future East provided by the private sector, depending on size Leppington population and have been provided to and supply in nearby areas meet the needs of their local catchments. As such, they generally will not have capacity to also meet the  Places of worship, according to local demand and needs of the future East Leppington population. In with sites purchased through the market particular, it is noted that there are some sporting fields in nearby areas with spare capacity, but these

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 Local medical centre / GPs, according to market opportunities for physical activity and an interest in demand and accommodated in commercial participating in sports. premises The proposed low rate of provision of open space  Residential aged care facilities, with sites to be and sporting facilities is of concern from an open acquired through the market. space and recreation planning perspective, as we believe that an insufficient quantum of open space The draft ILP makes appropriate provision for will be provided in the precinct to meet the future recommended community facilities. needs of the East Leppington population. Demand will therefore be placed on resources and facilities in Chapter 7 considers requirements for local and adjacent areas, which have not been planned to district level open space and recreation facilities to cope with this. The low rate of provision also sets an be located within East Leppington. The study has unfortunate precedent for the planning of future identified a need for: precincts within the Growth Centre.

 About 41.02 hectares of local and district open Regional active and informal open space will be space, based on the Liverpool and Campbelltown catered for in the Western Sydney Parklands, and Councils’ standard of 2.83 ha/1000 people. This the regional aquatic and indoor recreation facility open space would be owned and maintained by within the adjacent Leppington Town Centre. Liverpool, Camden and Campbelltown Councils. Chapter 8 provides a conclusion, summing up the  Two district/key suburb parks, focused on the findings and recommendations of the study. area near Leppington House Park and in the north-east of the Precinct. Chapter 8 also includes a table and map identifying the areas of land within the precinct that provide  Local parks within walking distance of most open space, sporting facilities, schools and other dwellings community facilities.

 Two sports parks with double playing fields and sports courts (5 hectares each)

 Five playgrounds for young children – two in the district parks and in three local playgrounds

 A network of walking and cycling trails along the creek line and linking to the wider network, particularly to the Leppington Major Centre.

The actual rate of provision proposed within the Indicative Layout Plan (ILP version 12.6) of 26.0197ha falls well short of the recommended quantum based on the application of the Council and DPI standard (41.02 ha). The actual rate of provision is equivalent to only 1.79 ha/1000 persons, compared to the adopted standard of 2.83 ha/1000.

This shortfall includes both informal/passive open space and active open space for sporting facilities, and occurs across each of the LGA components of the Precinct.

Importantly, only one double playing field is proposed, in contrast to the two recommended. While there may be existing capacity within sports grounds in nearby suburbs of Campbelltown, these existing facilities will not be locally accessible to the East Leppington population. The proposed under- provision of sporting fields in the precinct has the risk of impacting on sports fields in adjoining precincts and LGAs, which are closer to East Leppington. It also has the risk of diminishing

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1 Introduction  58 ha (13%) lies within Camden Council. East Leppington and Leppington are the sixth and seventh precincts to be released in the South West Growth Centre, after Edmondson Park, Oran Park, Turner Road, Austral and Leppington North.

This report provides demographic analysis and an Under the guidance of the Department of Planning assessment of the social infrastructure required to and Infrastructure (DP&I), precinct planning for East support residential development within the East Leppington will involve the preparation of: Leppington Precinct. The report has been prepared for the Department of Planning and Infrastructure  An Indicative Layout Plan (ILP) to guide planning (DP&I) as one of a number of specialist technical and assessment of the precinct. studies required to inform the planning process for the precinct. The study has been undertaken by  An amendment to State Environmental Planning Elton Consulting in association with Parkland Policy (Sydney Growth Centres) 2006 to facilitate Environmental Planners, who have had responsibility the formal rezoning for the open space and recreation advice and analysis.  A Development Control Plan

1.1 Background to the study  A Section 94 Contributions Plan

In 2006 the NSW Government announced plans  An Infrastructure Staging and Delivery Plan. outlining the future of land releases in the South West Growth Centre of Sydney. The South West These will be underpinned by a precinct planning Growth Centre straddles the local government areas report and supported by specialist technical studies. (LGAs) of Liverpool, Campbelltown and Camden. 1.2 Development context The South West Growth Centre is approximately 17,000 hectares in size and comprises 18 precincts, in which approximately 110,000 new homes are East Leppington Precinct is located approximately planned over the next 30 years. At full development, equidistant between Liverpool city centre, 15 kms to the Growth Centre will have a population of up to the north east and Campbelltown city centre, 15 kms about 300,000 people. Development will be to the south. Approximately three quarters of the characterised by staged delivery of infrastructure co- precinct is currently owned by Stockland Corporation, ordinated with land releases, and a focus on and comprises rural uses. The remainder consists of sustainability to achieve world’s best practice smaller rural enterprises, rural residential properties, standards. market gardens, bushland and other rural holdings.

The East Leppington Precinct lies within the eastern The precinct is fragmented by several large part of the South West Growth Centre and is situated infrastructure corridors which run broadly parallel to to the east of Camden Valley Way. Its western Camden Valley Way, including the Sydney Water boundary is almost entirely formed by Camden Valley Supply Channel, two underground gas pipelines, Way and the Leppington Precinct, which was electricity transmission lines and the Bonds Creek released for planning in late 2011. The north western system. To the east and south, the ‘Scenic Hills’ form corner of the Precinct also adjoins the south eastern an important landscape feature which has been boundary of the Leppington North Precinct, which zoned Environmental Protection – Scenic by has been exhibited for public comment and is Campbelltown City Council. expected to be rezoned later in 2012. The north eastern boundary is formed by the Sydney Under the structure plan for the South West Growth Catchment Authority’s Sydney Water Supply Channel. Centre, East Leppington is expected to accommodate Land immediately to the northeast, south and around 4,400 dwellings, with about 14,500 new southeast lies outside the South West Growth residents. It will also contain 2-3 neighbourhood Centre. centres along major roads.

In total, the Precinct covers 463 ha and straddles Proposed major infrastructure in the region will three Council boundaries (see Figure 1): include the South West Rail Link (which passes just north of the Precinct and is expected to be  299 ha (65%) lies within Campbelltown Council operational by 2016), the future Leppington Major Centre which will be developed to the northwest, railway stations at Leppington and Edmondson Park,  106 ha (23%) lies within Liverpool Council and other district and regional level facilities to be

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located within the Leppington North and Leppington Campbelltown Councils, the former Growth Precincts. Centres Commission and the NSW DP&I

Significant residential development is set to occur in  Analysis of the social context of East Leppington, the areas adjacent to the East Leppington Precinct including demographic analysis of the surrounding that form part of the Growth Centre (including district population (using 2006 ABS census data Leppington, Austral, Edmondson Park and Catherine for the local area) and social trends analysis Fields). Beyond the Growth Centre boundaries to the undertaken previously by Elton Consulting for north are further areas of recent residential south western Sydney development in the southern suburbs of Liverpool. To the south and east, separated from the Precinct  An assessment of the existing community facilities by open space and conservation buffers, are and open space in the East Leppington precinct established suburbs of Campbelltown, including and surrounding areas and detailed understanding Kearns, Raby, St Andrews and Ingleburn (which of the facilities to be provided in the surrounding contains some pockets of new development). areas through the Growth Centres planning process 1.3 Scope of this study  Review of the draft Indicative Layout Plans for the This study provides specialist advice to support the precinct and feedback on their provisions preparation of the East Leppington Precinct Plan with regard to:  Analysis of information provided by DPI from its discussions with relevant government agencies  Demographic forecasts of the size and nature of and the three councils about existing services, the future population of the Precinct future requirements of the forecast population and delivery arrangements  Social infrastructure, human services and open space which will be required to meet the future  Identification of other social planning matters that needs of the East Leppington community, taking have emerged during the research and are into account existing facilities both within the considered to contribute to positive social study area and in surrounding areas outcomes.

 Identification of design, spatial and locational It should be noted that this report has been revised criteria for recommended social infrastructure and slightly from the original social infrastructure their application in the ILP, taking into account assessment report (dated 14 June 2012) that was changing community expectations and placed on exhibition with the Draft ILP for East contemporary leading practice principles Leppington. The revisions have been made for the sake of consistency with the draft ILP Version 12.6,  Implementation strategies for the delivery of and to assist in the preparation of a Section 94 social infrastructure Contributions Plan for the precinct.

 Opportunities for integration of open space with conservation, recreation, drainage, education and other infrastructure outcomes, and linkages to networks in the surrounding area.

1.4 Study process

Preparation of this report has involved:

 Discussions and meetings with representatives of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DP&I) and the three councils

 Review of data contained within the Draft Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment (Urbis, January 2012) and incorporation of that data into this report where appropriate

 Review of existing plans, policies and background studies from Liverpool, Camden and

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 Central Sydney and North Sydney – together 2 Policy framework identified as ‘Global Sydney’

 Three ‘Regional Cities’ - Parramatta, Penrith and Liverpool. Regional cities are described as ‘capitals’ of their regions and are planned to contain a full range of business, government, A range of policies have been examined to provide health, retail, cultural, entertainment and context and guidance for the planning and delivery recreational activities. They are significant of social infrastructure (community facilities, human employment destinations with a substantial services and open space) for the East Leppington commercial core and a major transport hub. They Precinct. are projected to employ at least 30,000 people by 2036. These policies also provide the criteria against which the Indicative Layout Plan for the Precinct may be  ‘Major Centres’ - significant locations for shopping, reviewed. More broadly, the policy review has also business and services, as well as employment identified the social objectives directed at ensuring destinations. Major centre have a walking that the communities created within the Precinct will catchment of approximately 1 kilometre. be socially sustainable. Leppington Major Centre is proposed as the Major Centre that will service the needs of the future The policy review has considered: South West Growth Centre. The other Major Centre proposed in the south west is  The Metropolitan Plan for Sydney 2036 Campbelltown-Macarthur.

 The Southwest Subregion Draft Subregional  ‘Town Centres’ are predominantly in residential Strategy settings consisting of a large group of shops, schools, community facilities and services. They  State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney have a walking catchment radius of approximately Region Growth Centres) 2006 800 metres.

 The Growth Centres Development Code  “Village Centres’ and ‘Neighbourhood Centres’ are small centres catering to the day-to-day needs of  The strategic and social planning policies of local residents. They consist of a group of shops, Liverpool, Campbelltown and Camden Councils services and compatible activities. One local centre and two neighbourhood centres are  Other relevant policies and studies proposed within the East Leppington Precinct.

A brief outline of relevant issues contained in these The Metropolitan Plan proposes 80% of all new policies is presented below. housing should be within walking distance of a centre (of all sizes). 2.1 Metropolitan Plan for Sydney 2036 2.1.2 Achieving equity, liveability and social The Metropolitan Plan for Sydney 2036, (NSW inclusion Government) provides a framework for the economic, social and environmental growth of the The Plan highlights the importance of planning for city to 2036. The sustainable delivery of housing is equity, liveability and social inclusion to ensure a identified as a key factor in ensuring sustainable socially sustainable Sydney in 2036. Adequate growth. To accommodate a 40% population growth employment opportunities, appropriate and in the metropolitan area by 2036, the Plan proposes affordable housing as well as physical and social about 70% of new housing will be delivered in infrastructure are identified as key to achieving the existing urban areas (infill development) and 30% in vision. new release areas on Sydney’s fringe. This strategic direction identifies four key objectives: The Plan includes nine key strategic directions, of which the following are of particular interest to this  Ensure equity, liveability and social inclusion are study: integrated into plan making and planning decision making 2.1.1 Growing and renewing centres  Ensure appropriate social infrastructure and A hierarchy of centres across Sydney is proposed, services are located near transport, jobs and comprising: housing

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 Provide healthy, safe and inclusive places based establishes the broad planning controls for their on active transport development. In particular, it identifies areas of open space and environment conservation to be protected,  Continue to identify, enliven and protect places of areas that are flood prone or major creek lands and special cultural, social and community value. transitional lands that need to be further assessed in the precinct planning process. These objectives are closely tied to the objectives of this study and have influenced the recommendations The objectives of the SEPP include to: for social infrastructure made in this report.  Enable the establishment of vibrant, sustainable 2.2 Southwest Subregion Draft and liveable neighbourhoods that provide for community well-being and high quality local Subregional Strategy amenity

The NSW Government’s Draft South West  Provide controls for the sustainability of land in Subregional Strategy follows the direction of the those growth centres that has conservation value Metropolitan Plan and provides a focused planning approach for the Sydney South West Region.  Provide for the orderly and economic provision of

infrastructure in and to those growth centres. The Strategy identifies that the South West Subregion is earmarked for substantial growth. The The SEPP also provides objectives for Public government’s focus for the subregion is to plan for Recreation: Regional and Local Zones, which population growth, particularly along the urban-rural includes the following relevant objective: fringe in the South West Growth Centre, and to provide the subregion with developed regional open To enable the land to be used for regional open space as an alternative to current provision.  space or recreation purposes that are consistent

with the protection of its natural and cultural Key directions relating to this study are: heritage values.

 Consolidate and strengthen Liverpool as the subregion’s Regional City 2.4 Growth Centres Development Code

 Enhance local centres (in line with the hierarchy The Growth Centres Development Code provides the of centres and direction proposed in the basis for the planning and design of precincts and Metropolitan Plan for Sydney 2036) neighbourhoods within the Growth Centres, and provides a guide to the incorporation of best practice  Improve access to retail, office, health, education, standards. The Development Code contains a large leisure, entertainment and cultural facilities and number of objectives to guide the planning and community and personal services provision of community facilities and open space. They include:  Ensure equitable access to parks and public places for all residents in the subregion  Achievement of quality design outcomes

 Ensure open space areas and facilities are  Infrastructure investment to keep pace with managed sustainably to cater for residents and development visitors to the subregion  A range of housing types to suit the needs of all  Ensure opportunities exist for all residents to members of the community pursue cultural activities in the subregion  Planning to enable residents to walk to shops for  Increase access to quality parks and public places daily needs and provide a diverse mix of parks and public places  Easy access to town centres with a full range of shops, recreational facilities and services, along  Improve Sydney’s major sporting and cultural with smaller village centres and neighbourhood event facilities. shops

2.3 Growth Centres SEPP  A range of land uses to provide the right mix of houses, jobs, open and recreational spaces. State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Region Specific objectives of the Development Code address Growth Centres) 2006 provides the statutory particular elements and include to: planning framework for the Growth Centres and

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 Maximise accessibility and convenience of social  Increase housing choices facilities and services through co-location

 Provide facilities and services at a local level,  Facilitate social and community facilities that meet including parks, libraries, shops, schools, and the future requirements of the population health facilities  Provide for the social needs of future communities  Improve walking and cycling pathways, especially between residential areas and shops and schools  Enable adequate land to be made available for the provision of social infrastructure  Integrate existing infrastructure  Facilitate the timely provision of community  Provide, protect and maintain a range of open facilities and services space opportunities throughout the entire precinct  Locate community facilities within the centres and  Provide a range of commercial and retail neighbourhoods opportunities  Create opportunities for the optimal use of land  Enhance safety, maximise surveillance and and resources, educational and community minimise opportunities for crime facilities.

 Utilise public places and public buildings to The Development Code’s objectives relating to public promote community identity. open space aim to balance the dual function of the undeveloped land for both recreational purposes and Specific Development Code objectives with regard to stormwater management systems. In addition the community facilities include to: land needs to be accessible and useable by the public for a wide range of activities. Specific open  Provide community facilities within walking space objectives include to: distance of residential neighbourhoods and transport nodes  Integrate stormwater management and water sensitive urban design with networked open space  Provide access to a wide range of social and community facilities catering for different social  Provide a balance of useable and accessible open groups and age groups space with neighbourhood and district stormwater management  Create good access to new areas of open space and community facilities  Protect recreational uses

 Improve access to existing parks and recreational  Provide an interconnected network of open spaces facilities  Integrate public open space into the urban  Minimise the impact of access ways on the structure to maximise land use efficiency environmental qualities of public open space  Facilitate the provision of public open space of an  Provide good, but unobtrusive, access. appropriate quality and quantity

The Code also provides objectives in relation to the  Facilitate the provision of public open space and location, co-location and multiple use of community its development as part of the subdivision process services and facilities in order to:  Provide a diverse mix of open spaces and  Facilitate efficient use of resources and services community facilities designed to cater for a range through maximising opportunities for joint, shared of uses and activities or multiple-use of open space and community facilities  Facilitate the provision of sporting and recreation facilities that can meet the needs of future  Ensure that adequate social, cultural and communities community facilities are appropriately located in relation to public open spaces  Provide amenity to residential areas

 Facilitate the viability of social facilities by means  Avoid pressure to existing open space systems in of appropriate location and distribution surrounding areas.

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Additional open space objectives with regard to places on the rural setting, friendly community, urban spaces and connections include to: trees, parks and open space.

 Provide public open space that is pleasant, safe Camden 2040 sets out a vision for the future of and usable both during daytime and at night Camden in light of the large-scale population growth and urban development proposed to occur in the  Integrate open space with the mix of uses in the LGA. It identifies the strategies that will be required town centre to form a focal point to achieve balanced and quality environmental, social, economic and governance outcomes for the  Provide residents with accessible passive and community during the period of this growth, and active recreational opportunities beyond.

 Provide open space that promotes local character Priorities for the future for Camden include public and identity transport, recreation, community, health and education services and infrastructure.  Provide play spaces which are designed and located to be safe and convenient and to assist in The Camden Council policies together provide a childhood development sound framework for considering the social sustainability of the East Leppington Precinct and more specifically their requirements for social  Retain existing stands of remnant vegetation and infrastructure and open space. In summary, key to associate them with passive recreational Council objectives include: facilities

 Provide open space for a diversity of interests 1. Achieving housing choice, affordability and catering for a wide range of users. population diversity, to create social mix and a balanced community The Development Code also contains a set of 2. Creating a pleasant and safe environment Precinct Development Parameters which provide which promotes a sense of security, health, some guidance in establishing benchmarks and well-being and quality of life, with liveable thresholds for the planning of open space and social neighbourhoods and spaces for social infrastructure in precincts. interaction

2.5 Camden Council policies 3. Ensuring access to and participation in a range of quality recreation and leisure experiences, realising a sense of well-being, The study has reviewed the following Council inclusiveness and identity planning policies: 4. Providing a range of facilities, services and  Camden 2040 – Community Strategic Plan to 2040 open space that reflect the local community’s (2010) values and aspirations, promote the health and well-being of residents, support their  Camden Children and Families Strategic Plan lifestyle choices, and encourage the (2005-2010) development of social capital. 5. Providing convenient and equitable access to  Camden Community Plan (2004-2009) employment, education, shops, and facilities in the precinct and wider region, through  Camden Cultural Plan (2008-2013) public transport and mobility strategies

 Camden Library Strategic Plan (2003-2010) 6. Creating an identity and image for Camden that promotes sense of place, and protection of cultural, historical and environmental values  Camden Recreation and Leisure Strategy (2005) 7. Integrating with surrounding communities and  Sustainable Camden Report (2009-2010) the wider region, both physically and socially, in ways that promote inclusion and social  Camden Youth Strategic Plan (2005-2010) cohesion and fair access to resources

In 2009, Camden Council consulted with its 2.6 Liverpool Council policies community to prepare a long term strategy for services and facilities to meet the community’s needs in the context of population growth planned in the The study has reviewed the following Council NSW Metropolitan Strategy. Key themes which planning policies: emerged include the high value the community

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 Growing Liverpool 2021 (2011)  Support the community services sector in delivering coordinated programs and services  Liverpool Community Strategy (2009)  Improve affordable and accessible services,  Liverpool City Recreation Strategy 2020 activities and spaces for young people

2.6.1 Growing Liverpool 2021 (2011)  Improve informal recreation and leisure opportunities that cater for families This Community Strategic Plan for Liverpool describes Liverpool as the dominant business, retail  Improve child friendly spaces and services and services centre for the South West Sydney Region and notes that it will continue to grow as the  Promote and expand sporting programs and South West is developed. It also notes that Liverpool facilities is one of the most culturally diverse cities in NSW, with one third of its residents born overseas and  Enhance the physical amenity of public and open almost half speaking a language other than English spaces at home. The objectives and strategies emphasise:

 Improve access to services (including health  Quality of design in public spaces services) particularly for communities in need  Design for safety to foster community pride and  Increase education and employment opportunities prevent crime

 Improve walking and cycling infrastructure  Preservation of the area’s landscape and cultural heritage as the region develops  Improve community pride and identity  The need to provide a mix of housing types and infrastructure and support housing affordability  Support delivery of local infrastructure and services in areas of urban development  Support for socially inclusive and healthy communities, including raising awareness of and  Increase affordable housing options for purchase access to available services and rent.

 Celebration of the area’s rich variety of cultures 2.6.3 Liverpool City Recreation Strategy and promoting a sense of identity and belonging 2020 This strategy reviewed and mapped existing city  Provision and maintenance of well designed wide recreation infrastructure and provides a community facilities and recreation areas in framework for future provision, following accordance with identified service levels consultation with key stakeholders such as sporting clubs and users.  Access to education and training Relevant details of this strategy are provided in  Encouraging business and employment Chapter 7, along with open space requirements for opportunities the East Leppington Precinct.

 Encouraging community participation, 2.7 Campbelltown Council policies engagement and awareness. The study has also reviewed and taken into 2.6.2 Liverpool Community Strategy (2009) consideration planning policies for Campbelltown The Liverpool Community Strategy sets out desired Council, including: outcomes for Liverpool City, and a vision for a community which is socially inclusive, family friendly,  Revised Social Plan 2012-2012 safe, healthy, culturally rich, accessible and has access to a diverse range of learning and  Open Spaces and Community Facilities Review employment opportunities. and Appendices Report (May 2009)

The strategies to achieve these outcomes that are Campbelltown City Council’s Revised Social Plan, particularly relevant to this study include: 2010-2012 notes Campbelltown will increasingly become a centre for the region due the location of  Increase occurrence of and opportunities for services, facilities, infrastructure, transport, participation in community activities, programs education and employment. The Revised Social Plan

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discusses ongoing and emerging social trends, and highlights the key strategic challenges which will continue to affect quality of life within the LGA as the city grows from a mainly residential area to a major regional city.

Key points relevant to the Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment include:

 A changing population demographic with new infrastructure requirements – while Campbelltown was originally developed for young families and contains a large number of sporting fields, play equipment, childcare centres, it now requires greater focus on services and facilities appropriate for an older population (eg passive recreation, meeting places for seniors, focus on meeting the needs of people with decreasing mobility), including innovative design and multi-use facilities

 New patterns of migration where more affluent second and third home buyers seek new and larger accommodation in nearby regions and highly qualified residents on lower and middle incomes from a range of cultural backgrounds move into the area from other parts of south western Sydney

 Increasing demand for a greater range of housing types and tenures, including medium and higher density forms near transport and employment centres and private rental properties

 A continuing level of socio-economic disadvantage overall, with pockets of serious social disadvantage - some areas have particularly high rates of single parent families, high rates of early school leaving, low rates of post-school education and extremely high unemployment rates for young people and those of indigenous backgrounds. This has consequent effects on health outcomes and participation in community life

 Need for affordable and accessible public transport to facilitate participation in community life, employment, education and accessing services and facilities

 A need for more local employment.

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 11

7. Sustainable buildings: provide environmentally 3 Principles and and economically sustainable buildings

approach 8. Viable funding: ensure viable levels of resourcing, particularly recurrent funding for staff, programs and on-going maintenance - not just initial capital development

9. Service innovation and co-ordination: promote 3.1 Principles for sustainable innovation and creativity in the way agencies community infrastructure come together to deliver and integrate services that aim to enhance community capacity and resilience Based on the objectives contained within the State and local government planning policies outlined in 10. Responsible management: develop sustainable the previous section, the following principles to ownership, governance, management and guide the provision of sustainable social maintenance arrangements for facilities. infrastructure in East Leppington Precinct have been determined. In addition, the following principles specifically relating to the provision of recreation facilities and 1. Timely and co-ordinated provision: provide open space are proposed: facilities, services and open space in an efficient, timely and co-ordinated way to  Open space should be largely publicly provided support the pattern of development. This to ensure public access means ensuring that facilities, services and open space are available to residents as early  Meet future community needs: Provide, protect as possible and they are not disadvantaged and maintain a diverse range of open space and through delays in delivery recreation opportunities to cater for a range of

uses and activities 2. Efficient use of limited resources: make most efficient use of limited resources, through  Provide for all age groups, genders, cultural designing community facilities and open space diversity, physical abilities and socio-economic to be multipurpose, co-located with other status facilities and able to accommodate shared and multiple use arrangements  Be provided to avoid exerting pressure on 3. Safe and vibrant facilities: cluster related existing and planned open space and recreation facilities and services, preferably within facilities in surrounding areas designated centres or hubs, to promote civic identity, safety and focal points for the  Quality and quantity: Quality of open space is community more important than quantity

4. Accessible services: ensure facilities, services  Be linked and connected physically and visually and open space are accessible by public in an open space network transport and located to maximise access for pedestrians and cyclists  Incorporate universal access principles

5. Adaptable design: ensure flexibility in the  Establish a non-vehicular system that connects design and use of facilities, so they can major activities and open spaces to encourage respond and adapt as needs change. Where walking and cycling possible, buildings and open space areas should be capable of delivering a range of  Be distributed throughout the precinct services and activities, rather than designated according to a local, district and regional for single uses or specific target groups that hierarchy may quickly become outdated  Reflect and complement the natural and visual 6. Equitable access: promote equitable access for character of the local topography, vegetation, all sections of the population, through the riparian corridors and other natural features distribution, design and management of facilities. In particular facilities should be  Retain existing vegetation and fauna habitat for affordable for their target population visual amenity, to protect biodiversity and for wildlife corridors

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 12

 Protect and conserve watercourses, water 3.2 Approach to planning social bodies and wetlands and incorporate natural infrastructure areas and riparian corridors into the open space system where possible In social infrastructure planning, facilities and open space resources are commonly considered at three Public utility, telecommunications etc. services  levels: and installations should not compromise the

recreational and environmental function of open  Local neighbourhood level services and space facilities, available within about five - ten minute walking distance for most residents, and  Maximise opportunities to locate appropriate generally provided for a population of about recreation opportunities in Western Sydney 5,000 – 15,000 people. These core services are Parklands consistent with its Plan of required by most new residents from the outset Management of settlement to meet their local everyday neighbourhood needs. Without access to such  Capitalise on features unique to the area, such basic services, residents are likely to be as views from elevated areas significantly inconvenienced or disadvantaged and for this reason it is considered that these  Provide public open space along drainage lines services should ideally be available from the to create multi-use corridors time the first residents move into an area, or as soon as possible afterwards. Neighbourhood  Integrate a network of open space with level facilities include: stormwater management and water-sensitive urban design and balance usable and accessible – Corner shop, general store open space with stormwater management – Local shops and services – Spaces for informal meeting and gathering  Respect and protect indigenous and historical – Spaces for local activities such as a cultural heritage items and landscape units neighbourhood community centre – Childcare centres  Reflect Crime Prevention through Environmental – Local parks and playgrounds Design (CPTED) principles, with parks having a – Primary school frontage to a road where possible for passive – Doctor’s surgery, medical centre surveillance. – Churches – Public telephones and post boxes. Underpinning the above principles of open space provision are the benefits of open space to the  District level services are more specialist community, which is worth providing. The services which operate on a broader district numerous benefits of open space include: catchment (about 15,000 – 50,000 people). These will vary according to the particular  Personal - improved physical and psychological characteristics and needs of the population. health They are usually staged to respond to the achievement of population thresholds, with  Social and community – strengthened family numbers sufficient to support their provision. and community ties, and reduction of crime and They will include: anti-social behaviour – A large cluster and variety of shops and  Environmental – contrast to urban commercial services development, access to natural settings, – A high school and other learning facilities improved visual landscape, and improved air – Civic and cultural facilities, including a branch quality from presence of trees library and community arts spaces – Entertainment, leisure facilities and services – Sporting and recreation facilities  Economic – attracts new residents to an area, property prices are higher adjacent to parks, – Larger areas of open space for passive and savings in health costs from increased recreation physical exercise. – A range of medical and community health services – Individual and family support services, and services addressing particular issues such as welfare, legal aid, employment, housing – Facilities and services for particular sections of the population, such as young people, older people, people with a disability, people

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 13

from culturally and linguistically diverse as schools). Services provided by the communities Commonwealth Government (eg employment – Larger places of worship services, some family services, veterans’ services,) – Emergency and safety services. have land requirements that are likely to be relatively modest, and most likely will use available  Sub-regional and regional level services, commercial office space within designated centres. comprising major facilities for a population of Such sites can be identified in subsequent detailed over about 100,000 people, and including: levels of planning.

– Health services Sites for facilities provided by the non-government – Tertiary education facilities – TAFE colleges and private sectors are usually acquired through and university the private market and will need to be considered – Major cultural and civic facilities – eg large at a later stage of development as demand is performing arts venue, exhibition space, established. At the same time, it is recognised that local government branch office, major library some types of private / non-government facilities – Specialist higher order entertainment and may have significant land requirements. These leisure facilities include private schools, private hospitals and – Major recreation and sporting facilities – eg medical services, churches, private childcare stadium, regional park, botanic gardens. services, commercial gym and fitness facilities, residential aged care facilities and entertainment Social infrastructure is provided by a wide variety facilities such as cinemas, hotels and restaurants. of agencies, including all levels of government, The Precinct Plan will need to allow sufficient non-government organisations and the private scope and flexibility to accommodate such uses as sector. At this precinct planning phase, the demand emerges. strategy needs to focus on the facilities which may have significant land requirements, to ensure that 3.3 Approach to open space planning sufficient land is identified in appropriate locations to meet future need. This focuses particularly on The hierarchy of open space outlined in the facilities and services provided by local following table has been adopted in this study. government and State Government agencies (such

Table 3.1: Hierarchy of Open Space Categories Catchment Uses Regional Provides for active and passive May have conservation, passive and sporting recreation Park needs of the wider population opportunities. Attracts a wider range of users and has more who may travel from a 15-25 extensive infrastructure of parking, amenities and facilities kilometre radius catchment. including picnic and barbecue areas, food and beverage outlets, and hire equipment. Regional sporting facilities Space requirement 25 include the capacity to host events with spectators and are hectares minimum. classified by the number of competitors and spectators they can accommodate. Proximity to public transport and road networks are essential. District Park Provides for active and passive Range of uses include competition standard sports field, needs of the precinct and a courts and ovals as well as informal recreation facilities, wider catchment area within lighting and gardens. Parking, landscaping and ancillary 10-20 minutes drive. buildings (such as amenities) need to be included in quantum of open space. Playing fields for sport located outside flood Space requirement 5-10 prone land. Leisure centres and other built facilities may be hectares located on district open space. Local Park Active: Provide for suburb catchment only Active local open space: Predominantly a destination park Space requirement 3-5 with competition standard sports facilities and amenities, and hectares per park passive recreation and social areas.

Passive: Provide for passive Passive local open space: Informal play spaces area for recreation at the community/family gatherings with kickabout area but no neighbourhood level formal sports markings. Space requirement 0.2-2.5ha

per park A range of play equipment, cycletracks and age appropriate

settings and facilities. Provide for local residents located within walking distance

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 14

of dwellings Conservation Conservation objectives Primarily concerned with the protection of significant flora Area dominate design and and fauna but may provide passive recreation opportunities if inclusions. appropriate to conservation objectives.

Riparian Provide for drainage and flood Retained or enhanced in their natural state they may protect Zones storage areas. areas of native vegetation. Suitable for linear walkways and cycleways as well as seating, picnic and barbecue areas.

Linkages Design considerations should Provide for active transport, walking, cycling within focus on safety and security as residential areas, as well as along roads between suburbs well as amenity for users. and centres, and alongside conservation corridors.

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 15

4 Existing social From this table, key features of the existing population of the precinct include: context  In 2006, the population of Varroville was only about 148 people, reflecting the low density rural residential nature of the area

 The existing population is considerably older than It is important to understand the social context of that in the broader region, with relatively low any new development, to ensure that its planning proportions of residents aged under 25 years and takes account of and is responsive to the very high proportions of residents aged 55 and surrounding social conditions and that it will over and a high median age of 49 years integrate, both physically and socially, with the surrounding area. This chapter presents an overview  Consistent with the older population profile in of the social context for development within the East Varroville, the household structure shows a Leppington Precinct. It considers the characteristics relatively high proportion of couples without of the population currently living in and around the children. There is an above average proportion of precinct and the availability of existing community group households and the median household size facilities, human services and open space that could is relatively high address some of the needs of the future new population.  The population has been relatively stable over time, as reflected in the proportion of residents 4.1 Social profile who lived in the area for more than 5 years, the proportion who fully own their dwellings 4.1.1 East Leppington Precinct  The proportion of the population born overseas is Understanding the profile of the existing population much lower than the Liverpool and Sydney of an area can help in predicting the characteristics averages, but higher than that of Camden. The of the new population that may be attracted to largest non-English speaking group is from development and is also important in underpinning southern Europe. strategies to promote integration of new and existing communities.  Median individual incomes are lower than those of the surrounding areas; however median At the time of the 2006 Census of Population and household incomes are much higher, indicating Housing, the suburb of Varroville broadly multiple incomes within households, consistent approximated the Campbelltown LGA component of with the low unemployment rate, larger the East Leppington Precinct. As this represents the household size and older population majority of the Precinct, we have used this as a proxy for the population across the entire East  All dwellings in this semi-rural area are detached. Leppington Precinct for the purpose of examining the characteristics of the existing population. 4.1.2 The wider social context It is noted that while the existing population of East South West Sydney, and Camden and Liverpool Leppington is likely to be displaced by proposed LGAs in particular, have experienced considerable South West Growth Centre development, such urban development in the last decade or so, as development will occur over a 10-15 year period. shown in Table 4.2. While the population of Given this timeframe, it is important to understand Campbelltown declined between 2001 and 2006, the the characteristics of the existing population, to combined population of Camden and Liverpool LGAs enable comparison of similarities and differences increased by almost 60,000 residents, or 21% since with the anticipated future population. 1996. Since the 2006 census, further population growth has occurred in a number of new release The profile of this area has been compared with the areas, particularly within Camden and Liverpool Liverpool, Camden and Campbelltown LGAs and the LGAs. Sydney Statistical Division (SSD) to provide a benchmark for comparison. Key statistical indicators for East Leppington and the comparison areas are summarised in Table 4.1 (overleaf).

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 16

Table 4.1: Social Profile Snapshot Varroville Campbelltown Liverpool Camden LGA Indicator SSD suburb LGA LGA Population no. 148 143,076 164,602 49,646 4,119,190 Age groups (%) 0-4 0.0 7.4 8.3 8.5 6.6 5-14 10.8 16.3 16.6 17.0 13.0 15-24 10.8 16.6 14.5 13.5 13.8 25-34 14.9 13.5 15.1 14.7 15.3 35-54 29.7 28.6 28.7 29.0 28.8 55-64 14.9 8.8 8.6 8.8 10.2 65+ 23.0 8.5 8.2 8.5 12.3 Median age (yrs) 49 32 32 32 35 Family structure % Couples with children 44.4 50.7 69.9 69.9 49.3 Couples without children 47.2 25.3 14.5 17.7 33.2 Single parent families 8.3 22.6 14.6 11.8 15.6 Other family 0.0 1.4 0.9 0.6 1.9 Household type% Family household 68.1 76.9 91.5 92.0 68.1 Lone person 0.0 16.8 5.2 4.8 21.6 Group household member 6.4 1.9 1.2 1.2 3.9 Average household size (no. people) 3.1 3.0 3.1 3.0 2.7 Cultural diversity Aboriginal or TSI heritage 0.0% 2.7% 1.3% 1.3% 1.1% Overseas born 25.7% 26.2% 37.8% 15.5% 39.6% Speaks language other than 22.4% 22.0% 45.9% 9.1% 29.6% English at home Italian, Arabic, Arabic, Italian, Arabic, Main other languages spoken Arabic, Spanish, Hindi, Spanish, Cantonese, Serbian Samoan Vietnamese Arabic Mandarin Income ($) Median individual income $435 $464 $440 $566 $518 Median household income $1,275 $1,066 $1,082 1,353 $1,154 Unemployed (%) 0.0 7.5 7.2 3.9 5.3 Housing types % Separate house 100.0 80.5 77.8 94.4 63.6 Semi-detached / row house 0.0 16.4 9.8 3.2 11.8 Flat/unit/ apartment 0.0 2.9 12.0 1.6 23.9 Other (eg caravan) 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.8 1.0 Same address 5 years 60.1 60.2 56.8 54.9 54.8 previously (%) Housing tenure (%) Fully owned 36.2 22.7 24.2 25.6 31.9 Being purchased 27.7 40.1 41.4 51.6 33.1 Rented 23.4 30.3 30.6 19.3 31.3

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 17

Table 4.2 Growth in LGAs 1996 - 2006  The relatively high cost of new housing creates 1996 2001 2006 financial stress for many households, pointing Campbelltown to a need for social and recreational 143,773 145,860 142,841 LGA opportunities that are affordable. Liverpool LGA 120,197 154,287 164,964 Camden LGA 32,109 43,945 49,350  There is a need for strategies to promote the Total 296,079 344,092 357,155 integration of new and existing populations and communities, to foster community cohesion and Analysis of the populations of nearby new release identity and help ensure that the change areas including West Hoxton, Horningsea Park, process does not strain social harmony. Prestons, Harrington Park and Mount Annan has been undertaken to identify the characteristics of This examination of the current social profile of the households moving into the new residential areas East Leppington precinct shows that the existing of south west Sydney. This analysis shows: population of the area differs significantly from the populations moving into the new residential areas  In the 2006 Census, the predominant in the wider area, particularly in terms of age, household type was a couple family with young family structure, household type and income. As children will be discussed in the following chapter, it is assumed that the new population moving into East  The median age in the new release areas was Leppington as it undergoes development will be 29 years (range 27-32), compared with 35 for similar to the populations moving into other new Sydney as a whole. Children (0-14 years) made residential areas in the region. Given the differing up 29% of the population, compared with 20% characteristics of the existing and incoming in Sydney as a whole. Conversely, the populations, there will be a need to sensitively proportion of people aged 65+ years is well manage the transition process, to ensure that below the Sydney average social integration and community cohesion are maintained.  35% of residents were born overseas, (compared with 31% for Sydney as a whole) 4.2 Existing social infrastructure

 Average household size generally ranged Existing community facilities, services, open space between 3.3 (Mount Annan) and 3.5 and recreation opportunities in and around the (Horningsea Park), but was as high as 3.7 in East Leppington Precinct have been identified and West Hoxton. By comparison, average examined to assess their availability and household size for Sydney was 2.7 persons accessibility for the incoming population.

 Household income was above the Sydney This examination has shown that generally existing average, reflecting high rates of workforce facilities and services will not have the capacity to participation to pay off a mortgage, rather than absorb the very considerable new demand likely to high individual incomes be generated by the future East Leppington population, and that a range of new facilities and  An average of 17% of households were renting services will be required. East Leppington will also their dwelling, compared with 29% for Sydney contribute to demand for new district and regional as a whole. facilities and services, which will be located outside the precinct boundaries. Social issues associated with the rapid rate of urban development within the area include the Figures 2 and 3 show the locations of existing following. facilities. A description of existing services adapted from the Draft Social Infrastructure and Open  There is a shortage of local employment Space Assessment (Urbis, 2012) is attached in opportunities and many residents spend Appendix 2. considerable time commuting to work outside the region. Time spent commuting can restrict 4.2.1 Local community facilities and time available for recreation and family life and services for involvement in community life, pointing to a need for facilities and activities that are locally Consistent with its small population and semi-rural based. character, existing social infrastructure within East Leppington is currently very limited. The existing population of the precinct relies on local and  Newcomers separated from established support networks may experience isolation and dislocation, pointing to a need to foster social support networks and services.

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 18

PRIMARY SCHOOLS TERTIARY A1 Leppington Primary school C1 TAFE NSW A2 Robert Townson Primary C2 TAFE NSW South Western A3 Kearns Primary Sydney Institute A4 Eschol Primary C3 TAFE NSW South Western A5 Claymore Primary Sydney Institute LIVERPOOL LGA B12 A6 St Andrews Primary Campbelltown College A20 A7 Minto Primary Austral A8 Campbelltown Primary CHILDCARE SERVICES B13 A19 A9 Sackville Primary D1 Leaping Learners Early B11 C2 B14 B15 A10 Ingleburn Primary Education Centre D8 D7 A21 A11 Macquarie Fields Primary D2 Just 4 Kids Child Care D9 A22 Hoxton Park Liverpool A12 Curran Primary D3 ABC Horningsea Park A25 D6 B16 A13 Guise Primary D4 Bambinis Early Learning and D5 A26 Rossmore Leppington A14 Glenfield Primary Developmental Long Day Bringelly Road North D4 D3 A15 Glenwood Primary Care Centre Horningsea A23 A18 A17 A27 B18 A16 Ingleburn North Primary Bringelly ParkB17 D5 Clever Cookies Early D10 D2 Casula A17 Casula Primary Learning Centre D11 B10 A24 A18 Preston Primary B9 D6 Tickles and Giggles A19 Sadlier Primary Childcare Centre A20 Hinchinbrook Primary D7 Goodstart Early Learning Leppington A21 Hoxton Park Primary Hoxton Park A1Denham B8 A22 Good Shepherd Primary D8 Frogs Lane Road A14 Court A15 A23 Dalmeny Primary D9 Austral Kindy Macquarie A24 St Catherine of Siena Primary Fields D10 Annabelle Early Learning D1 A25 Austral Primary Centre Oran Park A26 Bringelly Primary C1 D11 Care for Kindies Kindergarten A13 A27 Rossmore Primary CAMDEN LGA Denham Court B7 SECONDARY SCHOOLS A11 B6 B1 Mt. Carmel Catholic High A12 A16 Varroville Ingleburn B2 Robert Townson High A10 B5 B3 Leumeah High Catherine B1 B4 Sarah Redfern High Field B2Raby Camden Valley Way B5 Ingleburn High A2 A9 A6 B6 Macquarie Fields High A3 B4 B7 James Meehan High KearnsA4 B8 Hurlstone Agricultural A7 B9 All Saints Catholic Senior College Eagle Vale Minto B10 Casula High B11 Miller High B20 A5 B12 James Busby High A8 Mt Annan B13 Hoxton Park High Camden B14 Thomas Hassell Anglican B19 B3 College Hume Highway B15 Good Samaritan CAMPBELLTOWN LGA B16 Sule College Gate B17 William Carey Christian School C3 B18 John Edmondson High B19 Elizabeth Macarthur Mt Annan B20 Eagle Vale

Campbelltown

KEY LGA Boundary Precinct Boundary Railway Line Existing community infrastructure: Education and childcare 5km Radius EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMUNITY AND FAMILY E1 Macquarie Fields Ambulance, SERVICES Fire and Police Station J1 Odyssey House Drug E2 Ingleburn Fire and Police Rehabilitation Centre Station J2 Macarthur District E3 Campbelltown Fire Control Temporary Family Care LIVERPOOL LGA Centre J3 Care-n-Co Co-operative Ltd E4 St Andrews Fire Station J4 South West Multicultural and Austral E5 Eaglevale Police Station Community Centre I3 H1 (SWMACC) AGED CARE ACCOMODATION J5 Ingleburn Community Health F1 Kantarra Lifestyle Resort Centre K5 HoxtonG7 F1 F2 Scalabrini Villages J6 Community Services, Park Liverpool K4 J11 F3 Blue Hills Village Ingleburn Rossmore Leppington F4 Aveo Maple Grove J7 Salvation Army Mission and Bringelly Road North F5 The Whiddon Group Child Care F2 Horningsea L5 F6 The Sisters of Our Lady of J8 Brown Sisters F3 Bringelly Park China J9 Schools as Community K6 Casula F4 Centres - Macquarie Fields GENERAL PRACTITIONERS J10 UnitingCare Stepping Stone K3 G1 Dr R Pillai Community G2 Raby Family Practice J11 Inspire Community Services Leppington G6 Denham G3 Dr Law Carina

Road G4 Dr R J Tyssen COMMUNITY HALLS AND Court Macquarie F5 G5 Dr W L Tan CENTRES Fields J7 G6 Dr G K Manku K1 Catherine Field K1 G7 Dr Mai Henry K2 Raby Neighbourhood Centre Oran Park L3 K3 Leppington Progress Hall J9 J8 CAMDEN LGA Denham E1 HOSPITALS K4 Austral Youth Centre Court J6 G4 H1 Liverpool Hospital K5 Carns Hill Community Centre H2 Campbelltown Hospital, K6 Scott Memorial Park Pavillion E2 I2 Therry Road K7 Kearns Community Centre Varroville IngleburnL1 G5 J5 H3 Campbelltown Hospital, Catherine Camden LIBRARIES Field Raby Camden Valley Way L1 Ingleburn Library G3 MEDICAL CENTRES L2 Glenquarie Library F6 I1 I1 St Andrews Medical Centre L3 Minto Comunity Library Kearns G2 I2 Ingleburn Medical Centre L4 Eagle Vale Library K7 E4 J2 L2 K2 I3 West Hoxton Medical Centre L5 Casula Library L4 J4 G1 J3 J1 E5 Eagle Vale E3 Minto

Mt Annan Camden

Hume Highway H3 CAMPBELLTOWN LGA J10 H2

Campbelltown

KEY LGA Boundary Precinct Boundary Railway Line Existing community infrastructure: Community services and centres 5km Radius

district facilities such as schools, community current spare capacity in the John Edmondson centres, medical services, childcare centres and High School is proposed to be absorbed by places of worship in Leppington to the west, the population growth from Austral and Leppington established suburbs of Kearns, Raby, and St North Precincts. Andrews to the south, Ingleburn to the east and Horningsea Park and Prestons to the north. Some of the existing facilities in nearby parts of Campbelltown are also likely to be used by The closest primary school is Leppington Public populations moving into new developments. For School in Rickard Road. Other nearby primary instance, schools in Raby and Kearns have been schools include Kearns Primary and Robert identified as having capacity to absorb population Townson Primary in Raby. Both these schools have growth from anticipated development of the fairly stable enrolments and limited spare capacity. former El Caballo Blanco and Gledswood sites (El The closest government high school is Robert Caballo Blanco and Gledswood Community Townson High in Raby, which is currently at Facilities and Open Space Assessment, Elton capacity. Other high schools include Mount Carmel Consulting for Camden Council, 2008), and so any Catholic High School and, further afield in the spare capacity currently is likely to be exhausted district are John Edmondson, William Carey by the time East Leppington is developed. Christian School, Eagle Vale, Ingleburn, Mt Annan and Elizabeth Macarthur in Narellan. These schools In addition, existing facilities in adjacent Growth are generally at or close to full capacity. Centre precincts are likely to change substantially as precinct plans are prepared, and cannot be The closest community meeting spaces are the relied upon to exist into the future. In this regard old-style Leppington Progress Hall in Ingleburn it should be noted that in the adjoining North Road Leppington, and neighbourhood community Leppington Precinct, the Precinct Plan makes centres in Raby and Kearns, both of which are provision for the existing Leppington Primary heavily used. School, which currently serves the East Leppington Precinct, to be relocated and expanded to more Travel distances to facilities in adjacent areas are centrally meet the needs of the future North considerable, and while they may be satisfactory Leppington Precinct population. Accordingly the for the current rural population, they would be Leppington School will no longer exist to service beyond what a future urban population would the East Leppington Precinct. Also while a precinct reasonably expect in order to reach basic plan for the Leppington Precinct has not yet been neighbourhood services. In addition, the proposed prepared, it is likely that the existing Leppington road network for the East Leppington Precinct Progress Hall will in time be removed. means that the closest major centre will be the Leppington Major Centre, and that future access to In summary, no existing local community facilities services and facilities to the east and south will be and services have been identified which could quite constrained. meet some of the needs of the future East Leppington population. The local and district level facilities which exist in adjoining suburbs have been built to meet the In considering existing community facilities and needs of their immediate populations, and services in the surrounding area, it is also noted generally would not have the capacity to meet the from the Campbelltown and Liverpool Social Plans extra demand likely to be generated by the that: substantial population growth envisaged for the East Leppington Precinct. Given the local and  An ageing population in Campbelltown and district focus of surrounding services and facilities, Liverpool LGAs has generated a need for new travel distances and physical barriers presented by and appropriate services and facilities for older the Sydney Water canal, the Scenic Hills and the people. This includes a need for more home Hume Highway, it is considered that generally support services for older people to maintain existing facilities in the surrounding area will not them living within the community. be able to meet needs generated by the future development of East Leppington.  Rapid population growth in Liverpool over the last decade has increased demand for new Assessment of capacity in existing social facilities and services and increased demand on infrastructure also needs to take account of the existing services, most of which are very substantial new development proposed for overstretched. There is a lack of services and the wider area. Any spare capacity identified now facilities across Liverpool and in particular in in facilities and services in Liverpool and Camden new release areas. This may have serious social LGA’s is likely to be taken up by future population consequences, increasing boredom and growth in adjoining Growth Centre precincts or the alienation, eroding young people’s feelings of southern suburbs of Liverpool, in development belonging and creating an environment where which has already been approved. For example, costly anti-social behaviour can flourish.

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 21

4.2.2 Existing and currently proposed Accordingly, planning of major facilities to be regional community facilities and developed within the Leppington Major Centre has already taken account of projected population services growth likely to occur within the East Leppington Existing regional facilities and services which serve Precinct. Facilities proposed to be developed in the this part of south west Sydney were identified in Major Centre which will serve East Leppington the Demographic and Social Infrastructure include: Assessment for the Austral and Leppington North Precincts (Elton Consulting 2011). They included:  A major performing arts cultural centre

 University of Western Sydney Campbelltown  A large sub-regional multi-purpose community campus centre with space for the delivery of human services  TAFE colleges in Liverpool, Campbelltown, Macquarie Fields and Miller  A library

 Liverpool Hospital  Regional Integrated Primary and Community Care health facility  Southwest Private Hospital  TAFE campus  Campbelltown and Camden Hospitals  Possibly a courthouse, police station and  Campbelltown Private Hospital emergency services facilities

 The Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre  Major competition level aquatic and indoor sporting facilities  Liverpool Central Library  Major sporting stadium.  Liverpool Museum Leppington Major Centre is also likely to include  Campbelltown Arts Centre private sector regional facilities such as specialist and allied health services, entertainment and  HJ Daley Central Library leisure services such as cinemas, clubs, pubs and restaurants, places of worship and a variety of  Courthouses in Liverpool, Camden and non-government human services. Campbelltown and police Local Area Command in Green Valley. Given the proximity of East Leppington to the future Leppington Major Centre, it is not proposed that any regional facilities and services be located The Demographic and Social Infrastructure in East Leppington. Assessment for the Austral and Leppington North

Precincts considered requirements for regional social infrastructure to serve the South West 4.2.3 Local open space and recreation Growth Centre as a whole, given that the facilities Leppington Major Centre will be located in the Currently there are no public open spaces or North Leppington Precinct. It found that most of recreation facilities within the East Leppington the existing regional facilities and services would Precinct. The riparian corridors of Bonds Creek, not have capacity to meet the future needs of the Cottage Creek, and an unnamed creek offer Growth Centre, given the very substantial opportunities for public open space, recreation population growth envisaged. facilities and linkages within the Precinct, but these

have not been developed to date. The Demographic and Social Infrastructure

Assessment for the Austral and Leppington North Existing open spaces near the Precinct and in the Precincts recommended that a number of new wider area are shown on Figure 4. Informal regional level facilities to serve the Growth Centre recreation and sporting facilities available in those as a whole be located in or near to the Leppington open spaces are outlined in Appendix 1. Major Centre. It also recommended that the South

West Growth Centre be divided into three sub- The Scenic Hills, which is privately owned land, is catchments for the purposes of providing sub- an important landscape feature to the south and regional social facilities and services. The East west of the precinct. The Scenic Hills provides a Leppington Precinct was included in the sub- catchment for the Leppington Major Centre.

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 22

OPEN SPACE 55 Coronation Park 57 56 22 01 Fairfax reserve – 56 Western Sydney Parklands Harrington Park 57 Kemps Creek Nature Reserve 23 02 Catherine Field 58 Mount Annan Botanic 03 Leppington Oval – Pat Gardens Kontista Reserve 59 Leacock Regional Park LIVERPOOL LGA 04 R Whack Allen Field/ 60 William Howe Regional Park 25 27 42 Memorial Oval 61 Harrington Park Lake Austral 13 R01 05 Camden Lakeside Country 62 Koshigaya Gardens 24 09 28 30 Club 63 Simmos Beach Reserve R02 41 R10 06 Rossmore Park 64 Bob Prenter Reserve 10 14 54 07 Camden Valley Golf Resort 65 James Meeham Oval Hoxton 11 08 Bringelly Park 66 Clark Reserve Park Liverpool R22 09 Rossmore Grange 67 Blinman Oval 08 Rossmore Leppington 10 Starr Park 68 Kennett Park Bringelly Road North 26 11 Craik Park 69 Benham Oval 12 15 Horningsea 21 29 12 WV Scott Pavillion 70 Kayess Park Bringelly Park 17 16 R09 18 Casula 13 Grimson Park 71 Sarah Redfern Playing Fields 14 Brownes Farm Reserve R03 59 15 Bedwell Park RECREATION FACILITIES 06 53 16 Jardine Park R01 Michael Wendon Aquatic Leppington 17 Daruk Park Leisure Centre Denham 18 Macarthur Grange Golf R02 Whitlam Leisure Centre 19 03 Road Course R03 Holsworthy / Wattle Grove Court 68 Macquarie 67 37 19 Seddon Park Leisure Centre Fields 20 Hazlett Oval R04 Eagle Vale Central Leisure 46 51 21 Meer Park Centre Oran Park 65 22 Anderson Park R05 Mount Annan Leisure Centre 02 48 CAMDEN LGA Denham 44 23 Badgery’s Creek Park R06 Camden War Memorial Pool Court 04 45 64 43 20 24 Woodside Park R07 Macquarie Fields Leisure 25 Paramor Reserve Centre R17 R07 63 05 47 26 Sule College R08 Campbelltown Athletics Varroville 35 Ingleburn 27 Browns Reserve Centre 07Catherine 18 70 28 Miller Park R09 Ash Road Sporting Complex Field RabyR21 39 40 R26 49 Camden Valley Way 34 29 Horningsea Park R10 Riverside Park 36 38 30 McGirr Park R11 St Helens Baseball Park 52 71 31 Jemina Jenkins Park R12 Gilchrist Baseball Park 69 61 KearnsR18 31 55 32 Stromeferry Reserve R13 Hilder Reserve 01 33 R24 33 Soccer Park Complex R14 Kirkham Park 66 R20 32 R23 R04 34 Manaleuka Park R15 Campbelltown Bicycle and 50 35 Burrendah Reserve Road Safety Education Minto Eagle Vale 36 Byrne Reserve Centre 37 Curran Park R16 Camden Bicentennial R06 R14 38 Reid Murray Reserve Equestrian Park Mt Annan 39 Stan Thomson Reserve R17 Macquarie Road Reserve Camden R05 R08 R13 40 Midlothian Reserve R18 Raby Sports Complex R25 Hume Highway 41 Powell Park R19 Ambarvale Sports Complex 62 42 Murragan Park R20 Eschol Park Sports Complex R16 R15 CAMPBELLTOWN LGA 43 Milton Park R21 Kooringa Reserve, Raby 60 58 R12 44 Westland Memorial Park R22 Moorebank Hockey Complex 45 Monarch Field R23 Macarthur Regional Hockey 46 Flinders Reserve Centre R19 47 Wood Park R24 Minto Indoor Sports Centre Campbelltown 48 Macquarie Fields Park R25 Macarthur Regional Softball 49 Digger Black Reserve Centre/Cowpasture Reserve R11 50 Eagle Creek Reserve R26 Minto Showground / Victoria KEY 51 Maquarie LInks Park LGA Boundary 52 Sunderland Reserve Precinct Boundary 53 Tree Valley Golf Course Railway Line 54 Woodward Park Existing community infrastructure: Open space and recreational facilities 5km Radius

‘green belt’ between Raby and St Andrews are adequate to meet future demand. (Campbelltown City) and Smeaton Grange, Curran Campbelltown Council is also of the view that Hills and Catherine Field (Camden LGA). The proposed new facilities in Edmondson Park, Scenic Hills also provide several high points involving the relocation of soccer and AFL clubs, providing extensive views over the Sydney basin or will create further capacity at existing facilities. to the Blue Mountains.  District sport and recreation facilities in Camden The assessment of existing open space provision local government area are largely located in the in the wider area has shown that: southern parts of the LGA in line with the urban growth of Camden. It is not anticipated that the  The quantum of open space available in the existing district facilities in Camden would be Liverpool, Camden and Campbelltown local accessible to or able to accommodate the government areas is considered to be increased in demand from the projected reasonably high based on current population population in East Leppington. Any existing levels. This is due in part to recreation capacity of district open space and recreation resources provided on land prone to flooding, facilities in Camden will be taken up by other and to inclusion of ecologically significant areas. new release area developments currently under However while the quantum of open space is construction or planned in Camden, located adequate for the current population, much of it closer to the district facilities has not been embellished to provide quality functional spaces and facilities to meet the  There is an identified shortage of sporting sporting and recreation needs of the population. facilities to satisfy current demand in both Liverpool and Camden, where Council staff have  Local level open space within nearby residential indicated that there is increasing demand for areas has been provided to meet local level more, full-sized, well drained and appropriately needs only, and so will not have capacity for or located sporting fields, which provide for a be readily accessible to the future East range of sports and have floodlighting and Leppington population higher standard amenities.

 New residents in the East Leppington Precinct  Services in Liverpool, Camden and will be fortunate in being located reasonably Campbelltown LGAs for young people are close to existing urban areas to the north and already inadequate. There is unmet demand for east in Liverpool LGA, such as Carnes Hill, additional facilities for young people such as Prestons, Hoxton Park and new urban areas court facilities for basketball and kick about such as Edmondson Park. As such, residents of areas. The proposed development in East East Leppington would have reasonable access Leppington will further exacerbate this to district level recreation and sporting facilities situation. in those areas. However, the East Leppington population has not been factored into the Assessment of existing open space provision also planning for these facilities, which are assumed needs to take account of the very substantial new to not have capacity to service this additional development proposed for the surrounding area. population Local and district open spaces which are proposed  The East Leppington Precinct will also be to be provided in the adjoining precincts of reasonably close to suburbs of Campbelltown, Austral-North Leppington include: especially St Andrews, Raby, Kearns, Eagle Vale and Ingleburn. These suburbs all contain  Approximately 149 ha of local and district open complexes of sporting fields that are space, to be owned and maintained by understood to have some spare capacity, Liverpool and Camden Councils. The proposed particularly for sports played on circular fields rate of provision in these precincts recognises such as AFL and cricket. However, limited road their the close proximity to the regional open connections from East Leppington to the south- space provided by Western Sydney Parklands east and east will constrain the accessibility of those facilities, and mean that they will be at  A number of local parks (minimum 0.2 ha) to be least 10 km travel distance from East provided within walking distance of most Leppington dwellings

 Advice from Campbelltown Council is that the  6-7 larger district (key suburb parks) with LGA contains a number of sports complexes in minimum size of 3 ha the wider district that have spare capacity. In particular, facilities for hockey, netball,  Regional, district and local playgrounds and basketball, softball, Oz-tag and touch football playspaces for older children

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 24

 8 local sports parks containing double playing Regional Park). The lack of facilities and amenities fields and multi-purpose courts within the regional parks limit their functionality as quality, usable recreation resources.  1 district sports park containing at least 4 playing fields capable of accommodating a The implications of this are that while the existing variety of sporting codes, along with a cluster of quantum of regional open space may satisfy outdoor sports courts demand, there is a need to improve the current facilities, access and amenities within existing  Linkages between open spaces to allow for areas. Campbelltown City Council is refurbishing pedestrian and cycle pathways and tracks. several public spaces to better meet current and future community needs for active recreation for Local and district open space and recreation families. Improvement of existing regional facilities will also be provided within Leppington parkland should be explored as a priority for Precinct, although no plans or specific proposals improvement before more regional open space are yet available. areas are designated. Existing studies also note the lack of transport links across the area to It should be stressed that proposed open space provide access to existing and future regional open provision within adjacent precincts has been based space. on population forecasts and anticipated needs for those precincts alone. Accordingly, these precincts Western Sydney Parklands are not expected to have any spare capacity with The most important regional park in relation to which to meet the additional needs of the East East Leppington is the Western Sydney Parklands. Leppington population. The location of the 5,280 hectare Parklands adjoining the northern boundary of East Leppington, and their extent for 27 kilometres 4.2.4 Existing and proposed regional open from Leppington, north to Quakers Hill, presents a space and recreation facilities significant opportunity for regional recreation The Demographic and Social Infrastructure facilities and settings that will serve East Assessment for the Austral and Leppington North Leppington and the South West Growth Centre Precincts also considered requirements for open more generally. space and recreation facilities which currently serve regional catchments or which will be The Parklands are intended to be the largest urban provided in future to serve the South West Growth parkland system in Australia, and one of the Centre as a whole. largest in the world, and will address regional open space, conservation and recreation needs in Regional parks in proximity to East Leppington are Western Sydney. They will contain a number of shown on Figure 3. The Figure also shows regional major metropolitan sporting facilities, public open and district sport and active recreation facilities. space and informal recreation facilities for regional These are described in more detail in Appendix 1. and local use, and easements for a variety of public utilities. Regional Parks Developed regional parks in South West Sydney The major metropolitan sporting facilities in the are currently meeting demand from existing Parklands include the Sydney 2000 Olympic communities, in terms of the quantum of open venues for equestrian, shooting, baseball, softball, space provided. However an expanding population and mountain biking. will place further pressure on these existing parks and facilities. The South West Growth Centre The Plan of Management for the Western Sydney urban footprint will decrease the current rural Parklands (2010) outlines the existing and desired setting, and the resulting increased population will future character for precincts within the Parklands. increase visitation to existing regional parks, The features of the Western Sydney Parklands potentially detracting from the quality of the precincts closest to the East Leppington Precinct experience in these regional parks for existing are outlined in Table 4.3. residents and visitors. The location of the proposed regional sports and The South West Sector Metropolitan Strategy active recreation hub in the Bringelly precinct will Workshop discussion document (Metro Open be determined by the Western Sydney Parklands Space Team, DIPNR December 2004) identified Trust in consultation with other agencies. gaps in the current provision of open space in South West Sydney, and in particular identified a The Western Sydney Parklands Trust advises that lack of facilities or poorly developed facilities in the population growth and distribution will drive the existing regional open space areas (for example staging and provision of facilities and along the Georges River and William Howe embellishment in various locations in Western Sydney Parklands.

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 25

Cycleways and associated informal recreation areas (benches, picnic areas, etc.) will be provided throughout the Parklands. Physical links between the East Leppington Precinct and the Western Sydney Parklands are yet to be determined.

Regional and district sport and active recreation facilities There are a large number of existing regional and district open sporting facilities in proximity to East Leppington and the South West Growth Centre. The locations of these facilities are shown on Figure 4. A listing of the features of each facility is provided in Appendix 1.

As discussed above, Campbelltown Council has indicated that some of these sporting fields facilities have spare capacity, and that a number of sporting clubs and associations require greater levels of participation and have no plans to expand the number of teams in the area.

Regional linkages A number of key regional pedestrian and cycle linkages connect areas of open space across the region. These include:

 Western Sydney Parklands routes

 Chipping Norton Lakes

 Liverpool to Parramatta cycleway

 Nepean River (Camden)

 Rail trail from Liverpool to Campbelltown (planned).

Proposed regional open space and recreation facilities in Austral and

Leppington North

As identified in the Demographic and Social

Infrastructure Assessment for the Austral and

Leppington North Precincts, the East Leppington

Precinct will form part of the sub-catchment for proposed regional sport and recreation facilities to be located within the North Leppington Precinct.

These facilities are outlined in table 4.4 below.

Provision of regional open space, and a stadium, sporting fields and sports courts in the Western

Sydney Parklands, and an indoor sports and aquatic centre in the Leppington Town Centre will cater for higher-level recreation and sporting needs for the South West Growth Centre as a whole and for precincts within the South West

Growth Centre. Future residents of East

Leppington will particularly benefit from proximity to these regional facilities within 1 to 2 km of the northern boundaries of East Leppington.

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 26

Table 4.3: Western Sydney Parklands – relevant precincts Precinct north - Existing character Desired future character Land use opportunity south Regional sports and active recreation hub, comparable to Blacktown Olympic Park Southern Parklands gateway will Tourism hub provide interim uses for local Local passive recreation Undulating and largely cleared passive recreation, community Urban farming 16 – Bringelly rural residential properties. Public facilities and urban farming in the Walking and cycling trails and private small landholdings short term. Long term goal of a Community facilities with limited public use. regional sports and active Education facilities recreation hub. Bushland regeneration / conservation Indigenous and European culture and heritage Existing and future service infrastructure Local passive recreation Conservation-focused passive Shale Hills: focus for majority of works by WSPT in the area, bike hub recreation precinct for the Community facilities southern area of the Parklands Tourism Undulating area with some 15 – West which protects and enhances Walking, cycling and bridle trails remnant bushland areas. Hoxton bushland areas while meeting Urban farming

local community and recreational Community gardens needs as the surrounding areas Bushland regeneration / conservation are further developed. Indigenous and European culture and heritage Existing and future service infrastructure Regional passive recreation Tourism Rolling hills, rural lands and Natural setting adjacent to South Walking, cycling, bridle trails bushland areas. West Growth Centre. Interim Sports and active recreation hub adjacent to Sydney International Scenic precinct with high point landscape and nature based Shooting Centre with views to Blue Mountains and 14 – Cecil Park recreation opportunities in the Visitor accommodation broader Sydney. short term. Lookouts Includes Sydney International Long term goal to develop a Indigenous culture and heritage facilities Shooting Centre passive recreation hub. Bushland regeneration / conservation Includes Upper Water Canal Community facilities Existing and future service infrastructure

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 27

Table 4.4: Proposed regional open space and recreation facilities serving East Leppington Recommend Facility Location Characteristics ed area (ha) Regional open Western Facilities for picnicking, social gathering for family-friends and space Sydney community events. Modelled on Centennial Park – ‘something for Parklands everyone’. Regional stadium, Western 16 ha Outdoor Stadium (size and seating to be determined) sporting fields Sydney Sporting fields, including synthetic and courts Parklands in Indoor sports / fitness centre the Bringelly Tennis complex Precinct. Netball complex Indoor sports and Leppington 5 ha Major competition level facility: aquatic centre Major Centre Aquatic :  Indoor 50 metre x 10 lane Olympic pool, training pool, 25 metre leisure pool, heated teaching pool, children’s play pool / wave pool / whirl pool/ water slides, diving pool. Indoor sport:  4 indoor sports courts and spectator seating  Fitness centre  Wellness / health services  Spa, sauna, steam room General amenity:  Kiosk and café, merchandise sale, amenities, crèche  Outdoor elements - may include water play park, BMX, skate, sports oval and netball, tennis, basketball courts. May be integrated with a youth recreation facility.

4.2.5 Summary of existing capacity  Any spare capacity which currently exists in facilities and open space within Camden and In summary, the Precinct contains no existing Liverpool LGAs is likely to be taken up by community facilities, services or open space which population growth in other release areas already might be used or adapted for use by the future approved. population of East Leppington. This means that future demand for local level Some local level facilities and open space areas are facilities, services and open space will need to be located in adjacent areas. However: addressed by new social infrastructure to be provided within the East Leppington Precinct.  These are not within local walking distance for the future East Leppington population The needs of the future East Leppington population for district and regional level facilities, services and  They have been provided to meet the needs of open space will be met by existing facilities and their local catchments and generally will not have regional open space and by those proposed to be capacity to also meet the needs of the future East developed within the North Leppington Precinct. Leppington population There will be no need to provide any regional facilities or open space within the East Leppington  While there is some spare capacity within sporting Precinct. facilities in Campbelltown LGA, these will not be conveniently accessible to the East Leppington population, especially for local level activities

 Existing facilities in adjacent Growth Centre precincts are likely to be redeveloped to meet the needs of their future populations and will not be available in the future to also address demand from East Leppington

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 28

release areas in south west Sydney have been 5 Population forecasts examined, based on ABS 2006 Census data (the most recent data available when this study was initially undertaken at the end of 2011). This analysis has examined average household size in different types of dwellings (ie detached, attached and apartments), recognising that occupancy rates will This chapter considers the future population of the reflect the mix of dwellings in a given area, with East Leppington Precinct, in terms of its size, rate of smaller, attached forms of housing generally growth and broad demographic characteristics. accommodating smaller households.

5.1 Development scenario The results of this analysis are shown in Table 5.2 below. The draft ILP for the precinct (Version 12.6) has been based upon the potential development yields Table 5.2: Average household size in nearby areas from 2006 indicated in the following table: Census Semi- Flat, detached, Table 5.1: Forecast dwelling yields unit, Area Detached town apartm house, ent Dwelling Liverpool Camden Campbell- terrace type LGA LGA town LGA Assumed Oran 3.3 2.4 1.8 Park Detached Harrington (15 3.4 605 635 2,541 Park dwellings / Currans Hill 3.1 2.0 ha) Mount Annan 3.3 2.0 Semi- Camden LGA 3.1 1.7 1.4 detached, town house, Prestons 3.5 2.8 1.3 438 6 75 terrace (25 West Hoxton 3.7 2.8 dwellings / Horningsea 3.5 3.2 ha) Park Large lot (5 Cecil Hills 3.8 3.0 dwellings / 85 0 0 Liverpool LGA 3.3 2.7 2.2 ha) Glenfield 2.9 2.4 1.9 Total 1129 641 2,616 Macquarie 3.5 1.7 2.3 % of total 25.7 14.6 59.7 Links Raby 3.2 2.2 Grand total 4,386 St Andrews 3.3 2.1

Campbelltown This table shows that a total of 4,386 dwellings are 3.1 2.5 1.7 proposed for the precinct in the draft ILP. At this LGA stage, no apartments are proposed for this precinct. Sydney SD 3.0 2.4 1.9

5.2 Estimating occupancy rates This table shows that average household size in all dwelling types in new release areas within Liverpool As noted previously, average household size in LGA are significantly higher than in Camden release Liverpool, Camden and Campbelltown LGA’s (at 3.1 areas and nearby suburbs of Campbelltown. This is persons, 3.0 persons and 3.0 persons respectively in thought to reflect the cultural mix of the Liverpool the 2006 Census) is significantly higher than the area and prevalence of larger families amongst Sydney average of 2.7 persons. This reflects the overseas-born households, relative to Camden which dominance of detached family dwellings throughout has lower levels of cultural diversity. the sub-region. Average household size has been fairly stable in the three LGAs for the last decade. Taking into account the range of occupancy rates being achieved in adjacent equivalent release areas, In determining the most appropriate occupancy rates the following occupancy rates are proposed to apply to be applied to East Leppington Precinct, average in East Leppington Precinct: household size and trends in household size in new

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 29

 Detached dwelling: 3.4 persons The analysis above has relied on data from the 2006 Census, which may not reflect current realities. Data  Semi-detached, town house, terrace: 2.6 persons from the 2011 Census will shortly become available. It is recommended that the issue of average  Flat, unit, apartment: 1.8 persons household size be re-examined in the post-exhibition period, utilising 2011 Census data, and that  Low density rural residential: 3.4 persons. population forecasts be revised as appropriate to reflect average household size in equivalent new These are the same rates as adopted in the Precinct release areas. Plan for Austral and Leppington North Precincts. 5.3 Projected population numbers These occupancy rates have been endorsed by Liverpool and Camden Councils. Campbelltown Based on the dwelling yields and occupancy rates Council has expressed a desire to apply lower outlined above, population forecasts for the three occupancy rates. LGA components would be as follows:

Table 5.3: Forecast population size Liverpool Council Camden Council Campbelltown Total

component component Council component Average Dwelling household No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of type size dwellings people dwellings people dwellings people dwellings people (persons) Detached 3.4 605 2057 635 2159 2,541 8,639 3,781 12,855

Semi- detached, town 2.6 438 1139 6 15 75 195 519 1349 house, terrace

Rural 3.4 85 289 0 0 0 0 85 289

Sub-total 1,129 3,485 641 2,174 2,616 8,834 4,386 14,493

This table shows that at full development, the to meet the objectives of the Metropolitan population of the East Leppington Precinct is likely to Strategy be about 14,493 people, comprising:  Housing preferences for different types of  3,485 people in Liverpool LGA (24% of total) households are in a state of flux, as medium density forms become popular with and more  2,174 people in Camden LGA (15% of total) affordable for a wider range of households

 8,834 people in Campbelltown LGA (61% of total).  Current housing affordability constraints are placing limits on first home buyers entering the market. Future economic conditions and policy 5.4 Age and household characteristics initiatives will continue to impact on affordability for this market segment Anticipating the age and household characteristics of the future population of precincts within the South  There is no simple direct causal relationship West Growth Centre recognises: between dwelling types and occupying household types. Analysis of housing occupancy in western  Recent and current demographic trends in new Sydney shows that more than half of the people release areas in South West Sydney, which are living in medium density housing are families with likely to continue, given similar housing conditions children. At the same time, the majority of couples without children and people living alone  The future release areas will contain a greater mix are living in detached houses. and wider range of dwelling types than recent new release areas in South West Sydney in order  Demand for housing in the south west Sydney release areas is predominantly driven by residents

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 30

already living in the southern parts of Sydney, and dwellings and flats in the Liverpool area, and that by overseas migrants. it is the number of bedrooms in a dwelling, rather than the type of dwelling, which will determine Forecasting the household composition and age whether a dwelling is occupied by a family with profile of the component of the precinct population children or not. The proportion of children living in that will comprise detached dwellings is relatively attached dwellings and flats with 3 or 4 bedrooms straightforward, given the experience of other is on average just as high as the proportion of release areas in south western Sydney, where family children living in detached dwellings of the same households with children or young couples yet to size. start a family continue to be the predominant household type.  Macarthur Region councils have identified a growing need for medium density forms of The age profile of the future population at the time housing for: of initial settlement will reflect the affordability of housing. There is some slight variation in the age – Smaller households, including single parent cohort peaks according to the general price market families and couples without children, of the estate, with first home buyer estates having – Low income families requiring rental younger adults (25-34 years) and a higher proportion accommodation, of children aged 0-4. Release areas settled by – Single adults of all ages; families who are second and subsequent home – Group households; buyers have a more mature population, with higher – Empty nesters looking to downsize; and proportions of adults in their 30’s and 40’s and – Older people requiring more manageable and primary and high school aged children. The adaptable housing. proportion of people aged 55+, both as couples and singles, is usually initially quite low.  Given trends in housing affordability in the area, detached dwellings are increasingly beyond the As release areas mature, the population ages and price range of most first home buyers. Medium diversifies, becoming more representative of the density dwellings are providing a more affordable broader community. alternative for families to get a foothold in the market. Accordingly it is likely that a significant Given the on-going demand for detached family proportion of the medium density dwellings will be housing in the South West Growth Centre, it is occupied by first home buyers, comprising young considered likely that the detached dwellings will couples initially without children or with young continue to appeal predominantly to families with children. children, many of whom will be second and subsequent home buyers, given likely price  Based on experience in the wider area, more than considerations and current affordability issues. This half the medium density forms of housing are means that the families are more likely to be likely to provide rental accommodation. Tenant completed, and have a mix of children of varying households are most likely to comprise: ages. – Low income families, including single parent In terms of forecasting the age and household families characteristics of households in the medium density – Students and young people in group forms of housing, the following issues have been households identified: – Young couples – Single people of all ages.  The age and household profiles of new release areas in south west Sydney that have a  The extent to which older people are attracted to reasonable proportion of semi-detached or East Leppington will in part be a function of the attached stock (Prestons, Horningsea Park and availability of appropriate housing forms and the Casula) are similar to other nearby areas availability of services and facilities provided to comprised entirely of detached dwellings, meet the needs of older people, including shops, suggesting there is little difference in the types of personal and commercial services, health services, household occupying the different dwelling forms, leisure and recreation opportunities, and public and that the smaller attached dwellings are also transport. Older people are conspicuously absent being occupied by young families with children, as in significant numbers in most new release areas. well as by couples without children. This reflects in part the fact that older people, if they do move, generally do so to areas that are  Advice from the Department of Education and familiar to them, close to family and friends, Communities (formerly Department of Education familiar shops, a high level of services and good and Training) is that there are considerable public transport. They tend not to be pioneers in numbers of children of all ages living in attached new areas that typically lack services and

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 31

transport in the early days of settlement. For  The proportion of the population who are young these reasons, it is considered unlikely that the children and young adults will decline as the precinct would attract significant numbers of older population ages and the proportion of older people until the nearby Leppington Major Centre children with older parents grows. The proportion has become established and services and public of the population aged 55+ will also increase as transport are in place. the area matures.

 A small proportion of older people will, however,  Owner occupiers are likely to provide a stable seek to relocate to new release areas to be close group that will age in place through the life cycle to their children and grandchildren, regardless of stages, while tenant households will experience the level and timing of service provision. Providing greater turnover, thereby maintaining a similar housing choice to meet inter-generational needs age profile as in the initial stages. will be an important consideration. In this way, over time the population profile is likely  The extent to which the precinct attracts to come to more closely approximate that of an significant numbers of younger people, in group established area with a variety of age and household or single person households, will also depend on characteristics, rather than a traditional new release the development and timing of services and area with particular age concentrations. facilities to attract them, as well as the affordability of housing. The inclusion of a TAFE within the nearby Leppington Major Centre, together with commercial entertainment and leisure facilities (cinemas, restaurants), public transport and employment opportunities, will enhance the appeal of this precinct to young people.

Given the above considerations, it is likely that the medium density dwellings in East Leppington Precinct will appeal to a variety of age and household types and will create greater diversity in the population profile than has characterised new release areas to date. In addition, medium density housing stock is more likely to be purchased by investors and available as rental accommodation, which will also add to the diversity of household types.

In summary, it is anticipated that the precinct will be characterised by:

 Initially a comparable proportion of young couples and families with children to other release areas in the region, but a greater range of family types, reflecting the wider range of housing types and price markets to be provided.

 It is anticipated that the proportions of empty nesters and older people will be initially similar to that usually experienced in new release areas, but, over time, will rapidly increase to approximate those in the wider district once services and public transport become well established.

 Over time, the peaks in the age distribution associated with a predominance of young families will reduce and the population will become more diverse. Increasing proportions of young adults and older people will be attracted to the area once the Leppington Major Centre facilities and services are established.

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Standards and benchmarks, expressed as a 6 Community facility recommended rate of provision per number of people, are commonly used in social infrastructure requirements planning to provide initial guidance to the number of facilities likely to be required for a population of a given size. The standards for provision adopted for local and district level community facilities by DP&I (Growth Centres Development Code), Camden, Campbelltown and Liverpool Councils are This chapter considers the community facilities and summarised below. human services that will be required to meet the needs of the future East Leppington population, Table 6.1 shows the indicative need for facilities estimated to reach approximately 14,500 people within East Leppington precinct based on these over the next 10-15 years. Open space, sporting standards. These preliminary estimates are then and recreation facilities are considered in the adapted to the likely characteristics of the precinct following chapter. and subjected to more detailed analysis.

6.1 Indicative Layout Plan

The draft ILP for the East Leppington Precinct (version 12.6) is presented in East Leppington Precinct Indicative Layout Plan (Figure 5).

Key features include:

 A local centre to be located on Camden Valley Way surrounded by an area of medium density dwellings

 One additional neighbourhood centre within Liverpool Council area

 A primary school to be located in Campbelltown LGA, on Heath Road. This centre will adjoin Sydney Water Canal and be diagonally opposite a sportsground

 Predominantly low density residential areas, with areas zoned for medium density residential development around centres and parks

 The Scenic Hills in the south east corner, zoned as Environmental Management

 Proposed areas of open space as indicated in the ILP Version 12.6.

6.2 Local and district standards for provision

The population of East Leppington will be large enough to justify the provision of a range of local neighbourhood facilities. Residents of East Leppington will also contribute to demand for district and regional level facilities in the wider area. A wide range of services and facilities are likely to be provided in the surrounding areas of Leppington North, Leppington and Austral to meet some additional needs of East Leppington residents.

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 33

East Leppington Precinct Indicative Layout Plan

Precinct Boundary

Contours (2m) LGA Boundary Local Centre AUSTRAL Mixed Use

Neighbourhood Centre Medium Density Residential COWPASTURE ROAD Low Density Residential Very Low Density Residential School B Community Use BB Passive Open Space LEPPINGTON OL Active Open Space NORTH Environmental Conservation Environmental Management

Bonds Creek Drainage and Infrastructure INGLEBURN ROAD Temporary Access - Existing Denham Court Road

Electrical Substation OL DENHAM

Potential drainage basins B FOX VALLEY ROAD COURT OL B (detention/bio-retention) Major Road Local Road LIVERPOOL LGA Upper Canal

Existing Easements EEK CR DS Major Ridgeline N BO B

SPRINGMEAD DRIVEHUNTINGDALEHU DRIVE N LEPPINGTON UNTN 0 50 100 200 500m IN G DENHAM COURT ROAD B Approximate scale: OL 5,000 @ A0 or 10,000 @ A2 5 June 2013 CAMDEN VALLEY WAY

B HEATH ROAD

A OL LG

EK LIVERPO E R C S CAMPBELLTOWN LGA

D

N

O B HEATHH ROAD ROAD ATH B HRO AD B

C L O A T N TA

A G C

B E CAMDEN LGA R T C E P R P MEN U E CAMPBELLTOWN LGA E K EASE

A GASGGA

B B

B

Primary Schoolol

ST ANDREWS ROAD

H T

U

O

S

S

ST JAMES ROAD

Table 8.1: Recommended rates of provision for local and district level facilities Facility DP&I1 Camden Council Campbelltown Council Liverpool Council Community centres and cultural facilities Libraries 1:33,000 39sqm:1,000 +20% extra for 42sqm per 1,000 people – Branch 1:40,000 circulation space – District/ central Multipurpose 1:6,000 people 42 sqm per 1,000 people Indicative 1: 10,000 people community centre Average size 600sqm in smaller activity 2000-2,500sqm 2.5 x  To be located in activity centres with shops, schools etc. centre floor area for land  Facilities are to provide flexible multipurpose spaces and spaces for outreach services.  Smaller 600sqm facilities contribute to the overall level of provision of 60- 85sqm per 1,000 people Multipurpose 1 per 20,000 22sqm per 1,000 people Indicative 1 per 60,000 people, with a built area of about 1,500 sqm community people  To be located in larger activity centres and commercial and transport hubs centres in larger 2.5 x floor area for land to provide flexible multipurpose spaces and provide a base for activity centre Community organisations and the delivery of services service centre: 1  Larger 1,500sqm facilities contribute to the overall level of provision of 60- per 60,000 85sqm per 1,000 people people Community services Children’s Not provided by Council  No longer provided by Council as a stand alone purpose built facility. The services (places) 1:5 (for pop. 0-4 size and layout of the multipurpose community facilities now provide – Preschool/ years) appropriate and adaptable spaces for delivering children’s services in line daycare 1:25 (for pop. 5- with the Children Services Regulation, should the need for additional child – After-school 12 years) care places arise in the future care Youth centres 1:20,000 89sqm:1,000 + outdoor  No longer provided by Council as a stand alone purpose built facility. The space size and layout of multipurpose community facilities now provide appropriate and designated spaces for delivering youth services, programs and activities.  Outdoor spaces (eg half court basketball courts, skate parks), are now standard provisions for informal activities and programs for young people

1 Note: Formerly the Growth Centres Commission (GCC)

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6.3 Community facility requirements with staff in the centres, thereby increasing their levels of activity. Taking account of the above rates of provision and discussions with Liverpool, Camden and A multi-purpose community centre will incorporate: Campbelltown Councils and the relevant State Government departments, the recommended  A variety of large and smaller spaces suitable for a provision of facilities for the East Leppington Precinct range of social, leisure and cultural activities. is outlined below. These might include a hall suitable for large gatherings, performances and physical activity such as gymnastics or dance classes, and rooms 6.3.1 Neighbourhood level services suitable for creative activity such as photography Local activity centres or pottery Residents of East Leppington will require access to shopping and other commercial services. One local  Meeting rooms, also suitable for adult education centre and two neighbourhood centres are proposed or training activity for the precinct – one neighbourhood centre is near the primary school and community centre and a  Office space for a community development second neighbourhood centre is located in the worker, and for other human service providers northern portion of the Precinct. The local centre is located at the intersection of Camden Valley Way  Rooms for the delivery of services such as baby and Heath Road. The specific nature of these centres health clinic, counselling or family support has not been determined and will be influenced by services, either as outreach, sessional or full-time the surrounding development. services

The ILP has made provision for commercial and  Kitchen suitable to support private functions such mixed use space within these centres and this should as birthday parties be sufficient to accommodate a number of neighbourhood and local level services such as  Plenty of storage to meet the needs of a variety of supermarkets and other shops, personal services, a user groups medical centre, private childcare centre or places of worship.  Adjacent outdoor space with children’s play

equipment and barbecue, to provide for spill over Community centre social events and activities for children. Community centres provide space for a variety of community activities and classes (eg yoga, playgroups, craft groups, after school activities for Campbelltown Council does not use standards to kids), for organisations and community groups to guide its planning of community facilities. For the meet, for sessional and outreach services and for sake of consistency with adjacent Growth Centre private functions, such as birthday parties. They also precincts, the Camden and Liverpool Councils' provide sources of community information and a standards have been considered. Application of the focal point for community development initiatives Camden standard (42 sqm/1000 people) suggests and the building of community networks and support that a population of about 14,500 people would generate demand for a community centre with total structures. 2 GFA of around 610m . The higher Liverpool standard Community centres may be provided at a variety of (60 sqm/1000 people) suggests a need for a facility scales to meet the needs of different sized of around 870 sqm. catchment populations. At the local level, they may comprise a simple community hall available for hire, Campbelltown Council has advised that it would ranging through to a large multi-storey building support provision of a community centre similar to incorporating a variety of functional spaces at the that delivered for Blair Athol, comprising urban core level. In recent times, many councils approximately 350 sqm. This recognises that a larger have moved away from providing small, stand alone regional community centre will be delivered within community centres for local neighbourhood the Leppington Major Centre. populations, on the grounds of their management and maintenance costs, lack of flexibility, limited use, However, a facility of only 350 sqm is not considered security problems and lack of capacity for staffing. adequate for East Leppington, on grounds that: Instead, leading practice now supports the provision of larger multi-purpose facilities for a larger  The forecast population of 14,500 people for East population catchment that can provide a variety of Leppington is considerably larger than that of Blair higher quality social and recreational amenities and Athol, which is only a small suburb with several combine a variety of functions. Having larger thousand people facilities also increases opportunities to base services

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 As outlined previously, leading practice no longer  Ensuring sites have room to grow, expand and supports the building of such small centres, on the adapt, to provide flexibility as community needs grounds of their lack of flexibility, limited use, change security problems, lack of capacity for staffing and associated management and maintenance costs  Adjacent to sporting, recreation and leisure facilities to create a health and activity focus.  The proposed regional community centre in Leppington Major Centre will act as a community A site for the community centre has been identified service resource hub for the whole region, rather in the draft ILP (version 12.6), adjacent to the local than providing a venue for local activities and centre and open space associated with the riparian programs. corridor, with sporting fields nearby. This location satisfies the location criteria outlined above. It is acknowledged that currently there is no identified funding source to build a community centre The community centre falls within Campbelltown LGA in East Leppington, regardless of its size. However, and will be owned and managed by Campbelltown this study has been requested to identify future Council, although it will also address the needs of facility requirements, on the basis that the developer those sections of the East Leppington population contribution system and other funding sources may living in the Camden and Liverpool components. Cost change in future. sharing arrangements will need to be determined accordingly. The following level of provision is recommended: Schools  One multi-purpose community centre of about The Department of Education and Communities 600 - 620 sqm, to be located in or close to the (DEC) Advisory Notes for School Site Selection sets local centre out the following criteria for the provision of schools in areas of new residential development:  This will require a site of up to 2,500m2 to allow for parking, setbacks and landscaping  One public primary school per 2,000 to 2,500 new dwellings  Ideally the centre should directly adjoin or incorporate some open space to allow for  One public high school per 6,000 to 7,500 children's play activities, spillover social activities dwellings (ie catchment of three primary schools) and outdoor community events, such as festivals and markets. Adjoining open space opens up the  Provision and timing of new schools takes account potential for greater multiple usage of a of a number of other factors, including: community centre. – Possible diversion of some students in new Leading practice location and design criteria for areas to existing schools community centres include: – The impact of existing or proposed non- government schools  Being accessible by public transport, with good – The type and speed to residential development walking and cycling connections – Possible need for additional sites to cater for temporary enrolment peaks  Located on a main street with street frontage for – The nature of the population. optimum visibility and accessibility.  Primary schools require a site area of  Design for safety, security and capacity for casual approximately 3 ha. There is little scope to reduce surveillance this until precise demand can be assessed, as a site of this size is required to carry demountable  Located in places where people already have classrooms through peaks in demand. There may cause to congregate and that have an existing be opportunities to vary the site size later as level of human activity, such as shops or schools, detailed planning occurs in response to specific so as to provide a place for social interaction and sites and if joint use of facilities can be negotiated gathering  High schools require a site of approximately 6 ha,  Clustered with other facilities, to promote although there may be some scope to reduce this convenient access and help create a focal point if schools are co-located with community sporting for community activity fields

 Sensible relationships with surrounding uses to  Special needs schools for children with a disability reduce incompatibilities with neighbours, including are typically co-located with a primary school. traffic and noise impacts on neighbours These schools require up to 1.5 ha added to a 3

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ha primary school site, resulting in a site of 4.5  Sites must not be located within or immediately ha. The need for special schools is subject to adjacent to land mapped as within the 1 in 100 assessment by the DEC. year flood level

Locational guidelines for DEC schools include:  Sites should have a substantially regular shape

 Schools should be located relatively central to  Schools should not be within or adjacent to land their residential catchment (within approximately mapped as Bush Fire Prone or on a site that 1.6kms by road) and on distributor or collector requires an Asset Protection Zone roads to alleviate noise and traffic problems.  Site will not give rise to significant issues  High schools should be located at a distance from associated with dust, smoke, odours or the like commercial centres, especially where liquor outlets may be located  Sites must not be contaminated, waste filled, have high soil erosion, stability or acid sulphate  Urban design features should include: concerns

– Has a number of frontage (three frontages  Sites should be free of ecological and heritage required) concerns or restrictions – Main street frontage should not be located opposite a T-intersection  Site should allow for other socially inclusive uses – Desirable to be adjacent to a community such as election days, community markets, playing field emergency meeting points etc. – Allows for security and privacy through visibility and appropriate surrounding development Primary school – Is not overly overshadowed by surrounding Based on a DEC standard of 1 primary school for development 2,500 dwellings, there is likely to be demand for at – Considers future form and structure of centres, least one new primary school within the precinct. towns and future development. A site for the proposed school is located in the  Land should not be located within or immediately southern portion of the precinct, adjacent to the local adjacent to: commercial centre and community centre. While not immediately adjacent to playing fields, the ILP shows – Land zonings for: Industrial (IN1 – IN4), sports fields are proposed within 200 metres of the Conservation (E1-E4), Waterways (W1-W3) school site. – Special uses such as: airports, correction centre, electricity substations, mobile phone With around 4,386 dwellings proposed for East towers, sewage treatment plants, sewage Leppington, it is likely that not all of the future systems, transmission lines, waste disposal demand will be accommodated within one new facility, waste or resource management facility, primary school. Part of the future demand will need waste or resource transfer station, water to be met by another school. recycling facility, water supply system, wind farms and the like At this stage, the location of a second school to – Inappropriate retail and commercial accommodate part of the East Leppington student development such as bottle shops, brothels, demand has not been determined. It is understood home occupation (sex services), methadone that the Department of Education and Communities clinics, pubs, registered clubs, restricted is considering how this need might be met, in the premises, sex service premises or the like context of proposed development in the surrounding – Development with potential undesirable area, including the future Leppington Precinct across impacts or risks such as: airport flight paths, Camden Valley Way and planned residential bulky goods premises, crematorium, depots, developments to the south west of the East freight transport facility, hazardous or offensive Leppington Precinct. However, given that the development, hostel, hotel or motel proposed school within the East Leppington Precinct accommodation, intensive agriculture, mining will be located in the central / southern part of the and extraction industries, tourist and visitor precinct, it is unlikely that a second school site to accommodation, vehicle repair workshops or serve the wider district would be located within the the like. East Leppington Precinct.

Other design requirements for new school sites It is understood that DEC will advise on its further include: requirements as planning for the wider region proceeds.  Sites should have a slope no greater than 1:10

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DEC advises that demand for a new primary school is purpose-built facilities. These needs should be generally reached with the sale of around new 400 considered in the design of such facilities. lots, although this is dependent on the capacity of schools in surrounding areas and State government Children’s services approval processes. Camden, Campbelltown and Liverpool Councils have each advised, in accordance with their current High school directions, that they will not be providing Council East Leppington will not be large enough by itself to operated childcare centres in the East Leppington warrant the provision of a new high school. Precinct. As such, and as is common with the However, it will contribute significantly to high school provision of childcare in most new developments, demand in the wider area. childcare in East Leppington will be left to market forces (through private sector providers) and to It is understood that DEC is considering how future responses from the not for profit, community based high school needs might be met across the broader non-government child care sector, as demand district, and has been unable to confirm develops. requirements within the timeframe for this study. Childcare centres are generally a permitted use As noted in Chapter 4, existing high schools in the within residential areas and do not necessarily surrounding area are generally at or close to require land to be designated at the master planning capacity. However, as students may travel further stage. However, there can be benefits in identifying (than to a primary school) to reach a high school, sites for childcare centres within neighbourhood and there may be scope to adjust catchment boundaries district centre hubs, even if these are ultimately to generate capacity in some schools. In addition, developed by private operators, for the following some high schools are on large sites that may have reasons: capacity for school expansion.  To ensure some childcare is provided in central At this stage, it has been assumed that high school and conveniently accessible locations, and to need in East Leppington will be met by either reinforce the role of the hub as the focal point for existing high schools in surrounding areas or those the community to be located within adjoining precincts. No provision has been made in the ILP for a high school in the  To locate childcare adjacent to complementary East Leppington Precinct. land uses such as schools and community centres

Schools provide a vital role in the building of social  To help avoid childcare centres locating networks and community identity. School facilities inappropriately in residential areas with amenity such as halls and classrooms can also be made impacts on adjoining residents (particularly in available for community use, subject to approval by terms of traffic congestion) school principals. In particular, it is noted that a condition of funding of school halls built under the  To encourage the provision of multi-purpose Federal Government’s Building the Education children’s services which incorporate a mix of long Revolution stimulus program is that they be made daycare, pre-school, occasional care and out of available for wider community use when not required school hours care for primary school children for school use. In this way, use of school halls can complement the facilities provided in council  To allow for government / community sector community centres, expanding the range of activities provision of childcare for sections of the and programs available to a local community. population not profitable for the private sector, However, it should be noted that community use of such as children aged 0-2 years, children of shift school facilities, while promoted at a policy level, is workers and those with special needs. still often difficult to achieve in practice, especially in schools that have been built through private A number of different forms of childcare and partnership (PPP) arrangements (which may limit activities for young children are generally provided in public use of their facilities). a community, including long daycare, family daycare,

pre-school, occasional care and playgroups. It is not Catholic and private schools will be provided appropriate at this stage of the planning process to according to the future socio-economic, cultural and try to anticipate need for the various types of religious profile of the population, and will acquire services. Instead, leading practice encourages sites as needed through market processes. planning of multi-purpose childcare centres, which

can adapt as precise needs are identified or provide Accommodation for other lifelong learning activities a mix of services. (eg community colleges, evening classes, U3A) can be provided through other types of facilities such as Planning for childcare will also need to address the community centres and schools, without the need for need for out of hours school care for primary school

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aged children. Such need is usually met through programs and activities for older people delivered multi-purpose childcare centres, through before and within the multi-purpose community centre. after school programs co-located within schools or through vacation care programs in community Leading practice now steers away from providing centres. Most Councils provide spaces within multi- age-specific buildings, such as senior citizens purpose community facilities to accommodate centres, which can only be used by specific sections children’s services, particularly for services like of the population and which thereby run the risk of playgroups, before and after school care and being under-utilised for much of the week or as the vacation care. population changes. Instead, the usual practice now is to provide multi-purpose facilities which have Health and community services flexibility to incorporate activities for different target In terms of local and district health services, the groups as required. The design of multi-purpose Precinct population will be too small to warrant facilities needs to consider the requirements of older community health facilities in its own right. These people and people with a disability. It will be needs will be met by facilities outside the precinct, as important to incorporate universal design principles discussed below. in all community facilities to ensure their flexibility and adaptability and avoid expensive retro-fitting Commercially zoned areas within the local or later. neighbourhood centres will provide spaces suitable for privately operated GP medical centres and allied The community centre proposed for the East health services such as dentists and physiotherapists. Leppington Precinct will have sufficient space to accommodate activities for older people. The The proposed multi-purpose community centre will inclusion of office and service delivery spaces for provide spaces for the delivery of support services human services within this facility may address some and programs for a range of target groups, including of the accommodation needs of community aged families, children, young people, older people and care services. people with a disability. These services are likely to be provided by non-government and community Provision will also need to be made within East based organisations, perhaps on a sessional or Leppington for residential aged care facilities (hostels outreach basis. and nursing homes) for a population of the size estimated. These facilities are funded by the Other community services are predominantly Commonwealth Government according to planning provided at district, sub-regional and regional levels, benchmarks based on numbers of people aged 70+. rather than a local level. The bulk of these services As these numbers cannot be forecast at this early will be located within the Leppington Major Centre. stage of planning, it is not possible to predict precise needs now. However, such facilities will be required In addition to meeting the accommodation needs of in the longer term as the proportion of older people community services, recurrent funding for staffing, in the population increases. programs and activities will need to be provided through a variety of government programs to enable Residential aged care facilities are permitted uses government, non-government and community-based within residential neighbourhoods (in keeping with organisations to deliver services. the principle of integrating, rather than segregating older people and people with a disability) and so may Facilities and services for young people be provided within any of the South West Growth At the local neighbourhood level, the needs of young Centre precincts, without the need to identify sites at people for space for social and leisure activities may this stage. Sites for these facilities are purchased be met through the multi-purpose community centre, through market processes and do not need to be open space and a well designed public domain. identified at the precinct planning stage. Site criteria There will also be a need for accommodation for include proximity to shops, services, community youth workers and for youth support services which facilities and public transport, and so should be can be met within the community centre. No specific located close to district and neighbourhood centres. facilities designated just for young people are proposed. A further key issue for residential care facilities (and retirement housing more generally) is the high cost Sports and recreation facilities will also cater for the of land in suitable locations that provide good access needs of young people, and are discussed in both to services. As a result, residential care facilities are chapters 4 and 7. often forced to locate on the urban fringe, with the risk that older people will be isolated from Facilities and services for older people mainstream community life. It will be important that The social, leisure and recreational needs of older sites for residential care facilities that are suitably people may be met through mainstream services and located are identified as planning for these precincts facilities for the whole community, and through continues.

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It should be noted that most of the accommodation religious activity is at its highest (for example on a needs of older people and people with a disability Sunday morning for Christian denominations). can be met through well designed and located self- care housing that allows them to live independently The following issues should be taken into within the community, and that less than 10% of consideration in the future planning of places of people in these groups will seek entry to residential worship within the East Leppington Precinct: care facilities providing supported accommodation. This reinforces the importance of encouraging a mix  Places of worship can contribute significantly to of housing types and sizes in each neighbourhood, in community identity and activity. They should be order to provide housing choice for older people and located close to other types of community people with a disability. facilities to create synergies and help provide a focal point for the community (eg located within Entertainment and leisure centres) Facilities such as restaurants and clubs will be provided on a commercial basis according to market  Places of worship need to be readily accessible demand, with suitable land available within the local and visible, and located so as not to impact on and neighbourhood centres within the East adjoining residential areas Leppington Precinct. Key considerations for developers include:  Given the limited utilisation of such facilities across the week, it is important that opportunities  Ways of encouraging the early provision of for shared or joint use be explored with other entertainment facilities at the outset of types of facilities, or multiple church groups, in development, given the existing shortage in the the interests of making the most efficient use of surrounding area; land resources. This includes shared provision of parking and meeting/activity space  Ensuring entertainment opportunities are affordable, particularly for young people;  Church design and placement can offer significant urban design benefits in terms of providing iconic  Including both indoor and outdoor entertainment buildings, landmark features, community identity opportunities. and way finding.

Places of worship As specific sites for places of worship are not As well as providing places of worship, churches can currently identified for East Leppington, it will be provide an important base for community important that consideration be given to the issues development, youth, volunteer and welfare support raised above as detailed planning of the Precinct gets activities in new communities, and are important in underway. building community spirit and identity. Churches may also provide halls and other spaces which can be 6.3.2 District and regional level services utilised for community activities by the general community. Religious organisations may also be The new population will require access to a variety of providers or partners in the provision of other district, sub-regional and regional level services, community facilities and human services (particularly generally provided for larger population catchments. for young people, older people and disadvantaged These types of facilities and services are generally groups). For these reasons, it is important that best located in larger activity centres that are well places of worship be established within the South served by public transport, to maximise access for West Growth Centre. the whole catchment.

The acquisition of sites for places of worship is As discussed in Chapter 4, the Precinct Plan for the generally left to market forces, according to their Austral and Leppington North Precincts has made ability to purchase sites, and it is difficult to provision for a number of regional and sub-regional specifically identify sites in the precinct planning facilities and services to be located within the process. However, the relatively high cost of zoned Leppington Major Centre. The catchment for these and serviced sites, particularly in central, accessible facilities and services includes the East Leppington locations, often precludes places of worship from Precinct. No regional or district facilities and services establishing in new communities. are proposed to be located within the East Leppington Precinct. Proposed new facilities for the At the same time, it is recognised that that not every Leppington Major Centre that will serve the East religious organisation needs its own facility, and that Leppington population include: such organisations may also utilise other community facilities for their meetings, (such as community  A major performing arts and cultural centre centres and schools), particularly as these are often not used by others when demand for space for  A large multi-purpose community resource hub

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 A library  One public primary school, to be provided by DEC

 A regional Integrated Primary and Community  Neighbourhood level retail services for daily needs Care health facility  A neighbourhood level multi-purpose community  A TAFE campus centre of around 600 - 620sqm, as a base for local community activities and services, to be  Possibly a courthouse, police station and owned and managed by Campbelltown Council emergency services facility.  Possibly three or four child care centres to be A variety of government and non-government human provided by the private sector, depending on size services supporting individual and family well-being and supply in nearby areas (such as welfare, family support, youth, aged care) is also expected to locate in the Leppington Major  Places of worship, according to local demand and Centre, accommodated in either the community with sites purchased through the market resource hub or commercial premises. The development of East Leppington and the wider South  Local medical centre / GPs, according to market West Growth Centre will give rise to a need to demand and accommodated in commercial expand existing human services in the area in line premises with population growth. This will require increases in recurrent funding through State and Federal  Residential aged care facilities, with sites to be government health, welfare and community acquired through the market. programs for staffing and accommodation. The draft ILP makes appropriate provision in suitable Leppington Major Centre is also likely to include locations for recommended facilities. private sector regional services such as specialist and allied health services and entertainment and leisure Residents of the East Leppington Precinct will rely on services such as cinemas, clubs and pubs. district and regional level facilities and services available or proposed in the wider area, primarily in Beyond the facilities and services in the Leppington the Leppington Major Centre. The East Leppington Major Centre, the East Leppington population will Precinct is not considered suitable for the location of also use: any district or regional facilities as it does not contain  University of Western Sydney Campbelltown a district or major centre, and is in close proximity to Campus (which has sufficient spare capacity to the future Leppington Major Centre, where such accommodate increased demand) facilities will be located.

 Liverpool, Campbelltown and Camden Hospitals. Projected population growth across the South West Growth Centre has been factored into planning for hospital inpatient and ambulatory care services across the region. The strategy to address increased health demand includes increasing the capacity of Liverpool, Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals (letters to the Department of Planning from Sydney South West Area Health Service / South Western Sydney Local Health Network dated 16 December 2010 and 8 March 2011).

6.4 Conclusion

This section has outlined requirements for neighbourhood level and district / regional community facilities and human services to meet the needs of the future population of the East Leppington precinct and principles for their design and location.

The following facilities will be required within the precinct to meet the local neighbourhood needs of East Leppington residents:

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 Access to water, such as walking tracks along 7 Open space and rivers and creek lines, picnic areas around water features, interactive water features and recreation active aquatic recreation requirements  Interaction with nature, including access to natural areas for passive and active recreation and natural areas for recreation and biodiversity conservation

 Connections and travel on trails and routes, This chapter considers the open space and such as integrated networks of quality walking recreation facilities that will be required to meet and cycle tracks and links to regional track the needs of the future East Leppington networks population.  Access to cultural and civic spaces for regional 7.1 Demand considerations cultural and community events

 Improving the standard of district-level sporting 7.1.1 Overview facilities, recognising high levels of participation A review of the following key studies was in sport in the region undertaken to determine previously identified demand for local and district open space and  Specialised sport and recreation. This includes: recreation facilities in the region: – Upgrading existing and providing additional  Western Sydney Regional Recreation Demand aquatic and leisure centres and Opportunities Study, (Suter and Associates, – Using selected natural areas for more 2003) adventurous activities – Managing noisy sports.  South West Subregion Draft Subregional Strategy, (Department of Planning, 2007) Liverpool LGA In addition to the above, within Liverpool LGA,  Liverpool City-Wide Recreation Strategy 2020, there is an identified need to provide: (Heather Nesbitt Planning et. al., 2003)  Additional sporting facilities (playing fields) to  Camden Recreation Demand Survey, (UTS, meet the needs of organised sports 2003).  Accessible recreation facilities for older A summary of these sources is provided in residents and residents with a disability, and Appendix 1. Key findings include identified demand more sporting activities for people with for: disabilities

 Developed open space and functional regional  Indoor recreation centres parklands. These will follow population growth.  Outdoor basketball / hardcourts  Family-oriented parks and facilities to cater for the area’s growing population which is often  BMX tracks and children’s off-road cycling family groups facilities.

 Facilities for younger people such as outdoor Campbelltown LGA courts, cycle tracks, skate/scooter/rollerblade Improving the use of existing local open space has facilities, BMX tracks, and more adventurous been identified, particularly in Campbelltown and play areas, especially in new release areas other areas in the sub-region, by developing local parks with basic facilities including barbecues,  Informal use of parks for purposes such as shaded areas, seating, picnic areas, toilets and social gatherings and outings for family and parking. Basic facilities should also extend to culturally diverse groups, particularly in areas of include youth facilities such as basketball and medium density development. Other informal netball courts and rings, cycle tracks and uses for which there are high levels of demand skateboard parks. include a range of playground experiences and dog walking areas Council has advised two important design principles are:

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that eventually it will have a population  To facilitate children and their parents being representative of the broader community. active in public spaces From a recreational viewpoint the major target  For “public space” to reflect features of the local groups in new release areas are children aged 0- area, particularly those near bushland and rural 14 years, and adults 25-40 years. areas. Facilities in these locations should have a more natural setting than soft fall and Local open space is important for encouraging manufactured solid structures. Popular features informal interaction and creating opportunities for include climbing apparatus, slides, swings, new and existing residents to come together and imaginary play, and touch, feel, and smell build networks, both at a local neighbourhood and integrated within the landscaping of the whole of community level. In addition open space surrounding areas. which encourages extended family and social group activity, for walking and cycling as well as Camden LGA family gatherings, is required. The level of local Within Camden LGA, issues include: open space will in part be informed by each Council’s standards of local open space provision,  There is demand for large halls (two-court or outlined in the following section. greater sports halls with carparking) and small halls (community halls used for dancing etc) In addition to demographic influences on demand for open space and recreational facilities, changes  Under-provision of standard-sized sporting in participation in the range of sports and activities fields. There is, however, an overprovision of also influence the need for provision of facilities in large sporting fields / ovals (for cricket and AFL) new areas. across the LGA 7.1.4 Participation rates  Deficit of standard outdoor courts to Recreation participation data published by the accommodate sports such as tennis Australian Bureau of Statistics and Australian Sports Commission show the broad trends of rates  Undersupply of weight training / fitness centres of participation in physical recreation activities of provided as commercial ventures adults and children in Australia and NSW. Key research findings are also provided in Appendix 1.  Need for a designated athletics space or suitably adapted multi-use facility. 7.2 Standards and rates for provision of open space Skate parks and BMX are well used in Camden. They should be placed in visible area on public transport routes. 7.2.1 Existing rates of provision Existing rates of provision of open space in 7.1.2 Broad demand trends Camden, Liverpool and Campbelltown LGAs are set Trends in use of open space and participation in out in Table 7.1. recreation activities are being driven by a number of wider trends in Australian society, including the Table 7.1: Existing provision of open space in Campbelltown, ageing population, changes in workplace practices, Liverpool and Camden LGAs Non- changing recreation preferences, health and Hectares regional fitness concerns and changing housing types. A Population per LGA open large number of other demographic and socio- 20112 1,000 space economic drivers of changing trends in demand for people open space and recreation have been identified in (ha) research and are discussed in Appendix 1. Campbelltown (excluding 1,436 154,551 9.29 bushland) 7.1.3 Demand related to forecast Liverpool 1,034 188,577 5.48 demographics Camden 589 58,306 10.10 Demand for local open space relates to residents’ Total 3,059 401,434 7.62 expectations and aspirations. As outlined in Sources: Chapter 5, new developments will initially contain 1 Australian Bureau of Statistics - Estimated Resident a predominance of families with children, Population 2011 adolescents and young people, and over time will include more middle aged and older people, so

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The current rates of provision of open space in linear and linkage), hierarchy (regional, district, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Camden LGAs are local), size, and distance from most dwellings much higher than rates of provision to be proposed for East Leppington as set out below.  Adapt default standards for open space This is because the councils experience financial planning in NSW to define locally- specific and operational issues in maintaining extensive provision standards. The default standards for areas of open spaces which are not well used. Low local open space in NSW are: utilisation rates in turn reflect the fact that some of the open space which does exist across the three – About 9% of non-industrial land to be council areas has not been embellished to a high allocated for local and district open space, standard and does not provide a quality recreation with a rough 50:50 split between sporting setting. Rather than providing extensive areas of and recreational uses open space at existing levels of provision, it is the – local informal parks – 0.5-2 hectares in size view of this study that the focus should be on and within 400 metres from most dwellings providing quality open spaces which include usable – district parks to be 2-5 ha and 2 km from settings and facilities, are accessible, are safe, most dwellings have passive surveillance, and which may be – local outdoor sporting areas: 5 hectares in adequately maintained, rather than on quantity of size and 1 kilometre from most dwellings. open space per se.  Develop locally-appropriate provision standards, 7.2.2 Sources of standards after considering existing provision of open space as well as local needs, and locally-specific The provision of open space in East Leppington alternatives to meeting the default standard. has considered a number of sources regarding standards: The open space planning guidelines also set out

opportunities for and constraints to providing open  Open Space and Recreation Guidelines for NSW space to fill gaps between supply and demand. (SGS Economics, 2011) Considering the high demand for open space and finite open space resources, there is a need for  Growth Centres Development Code (Growth smarter use of existing assets through means such Centres Commission, 2006) as:

 Department of Planning Draft Local  Converting or adapting existing open space Development Contributions Guidelines (2009)  Integrating the provision of a wide range of  Recreation and Open Space Planning Guidelines recreation facilities and programs for Local Government (2010)  Co-locating recreation opportunities with other  Liverpool City-Wide Recreation Strategy 2020 community and commercial services (2003)  Using alternative, commercial facilities and  Liverpool City Council Provision Rates Indicative venues for recreation on an opportunistic basis Draft (21 September 2010)  Using new technologies and enhanced design  Camden Council Section 94 Contributions Plan  Providing an equitable mix of outdoor and  Austral and Leppington North Precincts – indoor recreation facilities Demographic and Social Infrastructure Assessment (Elton Consulting, 2011).  Rationalising underused or poorly located facilities  Oran Park and Turner Road Precincts Section 94 Contributions Plan.  New partnerships and cross-boundary local government co-ordination to address resource NSW Guidelines and capacity constraints NSW Government guidelines for open space provision, the Recreation and Open Space Planning  Seeking agreements with educational and other Guidelines for Local Government (SGS Economics institutions for co-use of open space and HM Leisure Planning, 2010), advocate to Councils that they:  Innovations in providing and maintaining open

space are required given increasing costs  Establish the current supply of open space in an area by open space type (parks, outdoor sport,

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 Using marginal land (former landfill, drainage, Turner Road precinct, and in the Camden utilities easements) that is acceptable for open section of the Austral and North Leppington space purposes Precincts

 Acquiring larger sites for multiple and changing  In rural and rural-residential areas public open uses over time space is to be provided at the rate of 2.5ha per 1,000 population  Incorporating environmental resources as open space  Minimum area of local public open space to be 2,000 square metres, and no further than 500 The levels of open space provision are metres walking distance of any dwellings recommended with an understanding that site opportunities and constraints may influence  Minimum area of district public open space to outcomes, and will ensure that the final quantum be 5 hectares, located near public transport of open space proposed will reflect the realities of routes and no further than 2 kilometres from all the landform, soils, drainage and other physical dwellings considerations, rather than the exact adopted standard. Opportunities and constraints with  Land which falls into the following categories regard to open space provision in East Leppington may, in some instances, be able to be included are discussed in Section 7.4. as part of a public or drainage reserve, but will not be accepted as local open space if it meets Campbelltown Council any of the following criteria: The starting point for consideration of open space needs at East Leppington is Campbelltown – Is less than 30 metres in width Council’s standards for provision of open space, – Is less than 30 metres in width from the which range between 2.83 – 3.0 ha/1,000 people. defined edge of a water body to the open However, Council then assesses all other facilities space boundary located in the surrounding areas, geographic – Provides for the regional needs of the features and potential future needs. community – Provides for tourist areas or tourist  As outlined in Chapter 4, Campbelltown Council recreation facilities is of the view that the LGA is already well – Is provided as private open space or for resourced with open space for sporting facilities private recreation facilities and that there is sufficient spare capacity – Is provided as noise attenuation buffers, amongst existing sportsfields to meet much of estate entrances or amenity areas the demand likely to be generated by the East – Provides for the protection of the character Leppington Precinct. and bio-diversity of creek floodplains, wetlands, or water quality features  Council is willing to accept flood affected land and electricity easements for passive and active  Importantly, land that is flood prone may be open space purposes, as has been the practice not be counted at the full rate towards meeting elsewhere in Campbelltown Camden Council’s requirements.

 Council supports increased and varied use of Liverpool Council the proposed Bonds Creek riparian corridors for The following provides a summary of Liverpool passive and active recreation activities and is of Council’s standards relating to open space. the view that 50% of the core riparian corridors within East Leppington should be counted as  The provision of open space in new release open space. areas is based on a standard of 2.83 hectares per 1,000 people Camden Council Camden Council’s Section 94 Contributions Plan  Local parks (minimum 2,000 sqm) to be relies on the findings of the 1993 Recreation Study provided within a five minute walk of most to establish the following standards for the dwellings provision of open space within its existing new release areas in Camden:  1 key suburb park (district park) with minimum size of 3 ha per 5,000 – 10,000 people  In (urban) residential areas, local and district public open space to be provided at the rate of  1 double playing field of minimum 4 hectares 0.4ha and 3.24ha per 1000 population per 5,000 people (local sporting field) respectively, totalling 3.64 ha per 1000 people. This rate of provision has been applied in the

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 1 district sporting field per 60,000 people  Council and NSW Government standards and approximately benchmarks for provision outlined above

 District sporting fields to be minimum 6  Best practice open space and recreation hectares and, where possible, co-located with planning other commercial, community and recreation space in larger neighbourhood activity hubs  Physical constraints and opportunities.

 Split between active and passive open space to The East Leppington Precinct contains a number of reflect quality considerations, rather than a firm particular opportunities and constraints which have 50:50 split influenced the quantum of open space proposed.

 High use recreation facilities and quality open Opportunities public spaces should be provided away from Opportunities include: electricity transmission lines, wherever  The proximity to the Western Sydney Parklands, practicable. which offers a valuable opportunity to cater for regional informal and major sporting facilities, As a young population is expected for the East so these needs do not have to be met within Leppington Precinct, there will be a need for the precinct children’s playgrounds and spaces to be provided. These need to be provided within walking distance  The extensive creek system which allows to dwellings and incorporate safer by design significant pedestrian and cycle linkages and principles. Playgrounds should be co-located with informal open space in the riparian corridors of district and local parks and other community Bonds Creek, Cottage Creek, and the unnamed facilities. creek

Active sports fields in close proximity to the East  Natural bushland scattered throughout the Leppington Precinct are limited. Provision of multi- precinct will be retained in environmental use sports fields co-located with larger passive conservation reserves areas incorporating tracks and community facilities should be considered to enhance social and  The Scenic Hills, which although not accessible community integration. Such facilities must be to the public, will provide a visual backdrop and accessible by public transport and have suitable buffer to development levels of car parking and amenities.  Public open space on elevated areas adjoining Precedents from other precincts the Scenic Hills. It should be noted that for the Oran Park Precinct, Camden Council accepted a lesser quantum of Constraints open space, equivalent to about 2.81 ha/1000 Physical constraints that have been taken into people, rather than the 3.64 ha/1000 stated in the account include: Camden Section 94 Contributions Plan. This was in recognition that the provision of an indoor  Topography - Elevated sites are favoured for recreation centre would add to the diversity and informal open space because of views and quality of recreation opportunities, rather than interest. Flat land is preferred for sporting fields providing just sports fields. and facilities to minimise earthworks required

For the Austral and Leppington North Precinct  Utilities - The gas pipeline, Sydney Catchment Plan, the Department of Planning and Authority canal and easement, and electricity Infrastructure advised that the Liverpool standard transmission lines are barriers to physical rate of 2.83 ha/1000 people should apply across access or are not ideal locations for high use both council areas, rather than having differing recreation and public open space. The Sydney rates for the Liverpool and Camden components of Catchment Authority pipeline is a major the precinct. For the sake of consistency, this constraint to east-west movement and access position has been adopted also for the East to the Western Sydney Parklands. Liverpool Leppington Precinct. Council aims to locate sportsgrounds away from

electricity transmission lines, where possible. 7.3 Recommended quantum of open Campbelltown Council is willing to accept space electricity easements for passive and active open space Recommendations for provision of open space and recreation facilities in East Leppington are based  Creeks and drainage lines – Flood liable land on: restricts the location of recreation infrastructure

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and sporting facilities, which should be largely The recommended amount of open space for playable after wet weather. There is a necessity sporting fields/active recreation makes provision for detention basins on open space to minimise for: flooding.  2 double playing fields (4 fields), at a  Road network - the disjointed and circuitous recommended rate of one local double playing road network between East Leppington and field per 5,000 people. The forecast population suburbs to the south and south-east via is not quite high enough to trigger a need for a Camden Valley Way and Denham Court Road, third double playing field, but is more than which limits access to existing open space sufficient to justify two. outside the Precinct. It is understood that access to the south and south-east via St  2 double playing fields x 5 hectares per double Andrews Road will not be available. playing field = 10 hectares. This land allocation allows for junior sports fields, sports courts and Providing a standard rate of provision without other active recreation facilities to be provided commitment as to how the embellishment or with each set of double playing fields. management of this open space is to be undertaken is not sustainable. In particular, the Land not included in the open space budget quantity of open space to be required needs to includes: take into consideration the quality of that space and opportunities it provides for active and passive  Regional active and informal open space recreation. This reflects the fact that Liverpool, catered for in the Western Sydney Parklands. Camden and Campbelltown already have a very large quantity of open space, some of which is not  50% of floodprone land or land similarly very usable because it has not been embellished constrained, such as detention basins, that is for active or passive recreation. suitable for informal and passive open space. While it is sensible in terms of land use 7.3.1 Total recommended open space efficiency to use flood-prone land for some recreation purposes, there are concerns that Based on a forecast population of about 14,500 this limits the usability and quality of the open people, it is recommended that a total of about space provided, as well as significantly 41.02 hectares of open space be provided in East increasing its maintenance costs. The proposed Leppington Precinct. This is based on the standard strategy for open space is based on the for the provision of open space and recreation principle that flood-prone land may not be used used by Liverpool and Campbelltown Councils in for active sporting facilities, but may be other parts of their LGAs, and applied also to the considered for passive recreation uses Camden LGA component according to the precedent set for the Austral and Leppington North  Riparian land and other conservation land such Precincts, outlined above. as bushland, as its access and usefulness for

recreation purposes may be limited. However, it The recommended breakdown of open space by should be noted that DP&I has adopted a hierarchy and by type of open space is set out in position that up to 50% of the riparian corridor Table 7.3 and explained further below. may be counted as open space, and this is

reflected in the quantum of open space The recommended amount of open space for proposed in the draft ILP (see below for further informal / passive parks makes provision for: details)

 Local parks being within walking distance of  Open space under transmission lines most dwellings

 Any playing fields within school grounds.  Minimum of 0.2 hectares’ size for local parks

 Two district / key suburb parks of a minimum

size of 3 hectares.

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Table 7.3: Land budget for recommended open space in East Leppington Recommend Land requirements for East Draft ILP Catchment Components Spaces / facilities ed East Leppington v12.6 Leppington  Western Sydney Parklands Sporting fields, Regional aquatic / indoor nil 0.0 ha 0.0 ha  Leppington sport Town Centre  1 key suburb park per 5,000 – 10,000 people, no further than 2 km from all 2 district/key suburb parks with minimum size of 3 ha. Informal / dwellings Includes district 6.5 ha 3.757 ha passive District  2 district playgrounds. playgrounds  2 district older children’s playgrounds Active / 1 four-field complex nil 0.0 ha 0.0 ha sporting per 60,000 people  Local parks  3 local Local parks minimum 0.2 ha to 0.5 ha within 400 Informal / playgrounds metres of most dwellings. 14.7ha 6.488ha passive  2-3 local older children’s play spaces Local 2 double playing fields x 5 hectares each. Includes 1 double field per provision for sports courts Active / 5,000 people = 2 and ancillary facilities. 10.0 ha 5.939 ha sporting double fields Ideally one double field required located adjacent to the primary school Other passive open space adjacent to and within 9.82ha 9.8351 riparian corridors Total 41.02ha 26.0197

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7.3.2 Comparison of ILP with benchmarks areas to meet part of the open space needs of East Leppington, and a reluctance to locate any The land budget shown in the table above new major open space facilities towards the indicates that the actual rate of provision within peripheral areas of the LGA the Indicative Layout Plan (ILP version 12.6) of 26.0197 ha falls well short of the recommended  In particular, a view that there is sufficient quantum based on the application of the Councils’ spare capacity in sporting fields in nearby areas and DPI standard (41.02 ha). of Campbelltown and Liverpool and a reluctance to provide for more than minimum The quantum proposed in the ILP will result in an requirements. This is discussed further below. overall rate of provision across the Precinct of only 1.79 ha / 1000 people, compared with the  Council concerns about the high costs of recommended benchmark of 2.83ha / 1000. acquiring and maintaining open space, and

associated reluctance to plan for more than The apparent shortfall against the benchmark basic levels of provision occurs across the three LGA’s, as shown in the table below.  The extensive creek network that traverses the

precinct, which results in a large amount of Table 7.2: Provision of total open space in East Leppington flood-affected land and riparian corridor which Recomme ILP is not developable but which is suitable for use Forecast nded proposed LGA as passive open space. population provision provision (ha) (ha) Campbelltown 8,834 25.01 18.9625 7.4 Passive open space for recreation Liverpool 3,485 9.86 5.9102 Camden 2,174 6.15 1.147 This section outlines recommendations for the Total 14,493 41.02 26.0197 design and location of district and local passive open space for informal recreation. The apparent shortfall against the benchmark also occurs across each main type of open space Parks (district parks, local parks and sporting fields). The The location of proposed open space and balance between active and passive open space is recreation facilities in the precinct should have much the same in both the recommended and regard to the general principles outlined in Chapter proposed breakdowns of open space, although the 3, particularly with regard to equitable distribution, overall quantum is much less in the proposed open accessibility, connections and opportunities for co- space breakdown. location.

It is understood that the apparent shortfall in open The recommended general characteristics of local space against the benchmark has arisen as a and district parks are outlined in Table 7.4 below. consequence of the three councils agreeing to forego applying their own standards for open space provision on the basis of:

 The precinct being considered as components of three separate LGA’s, rather than a single catchment, with each Council of the view that there is sufficient open space in its adjoining

Table 7.4: Park categories and requirements Size Recommended Hierarchy Description Provision Local parks should have a range of play spaces and opportunities and cater to older children and Within 400-500m young people as well as the traditional walking distance Min. 0.2ha playground for young children. Local parks of 90% of up to 0.5ha Grassed area for ball games, seats, shelter. May dwellings contain practice wall, fitness equipment, other

elements.

‘Something for everyone’, family parks. Includes District (key a combination of outdoor courts (basketball, Min 3ha 2 parks suburb) parks netball), skate park, BMX track, shared pathways, children’s play equipment, outdoor

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fitness equipment, performance space, specialised recreation facilities, water feature, picnic / barbecue facilities, unleashed dog exercise area.

In terms of informal/passive recreation, the ILP for is currently slightly smaller than Liverpool Council’s East Leppington has identified significant land minimum 3 ha size for a key suburb district park. areas that will be set aside as riparian corridors, conservation areas and detention basins. These Playgrounds have potential to meet some of the passive A hierarchy of playgrounds is recommended across recreation needs of the future population. the precinct, to include:

DPI has instructed that up to 50% of land in  Larger playgrounds catering to both young and riparian corridors may be counted as open space older children within the district / key suburb in the East Leppington Precinct. parks, along with picnic and barbecue facilities

However, the extent to which this land will permit  Local playgrounds with more limited facilities in quality recreation uses is not clear at this stage. local parks. Before conservation areas, riparian corridors, buffers and detention basins can be accepted as The recommended rate of provision of areas of open space, it will need to be confirmed playgrounds for young children is one playground that they are usable and capable of providing per 500 children aged 0-4 years. For playspaces quality recreation settings, and that it will be for older children, the rate is one playspace per appropriate for them to contain embellishments 500 children aged 5-12 years. Typically, in new such as barbecue and picnic facilities, seating, release areas five plus years after development, playgrounds, pathways etc. Accordingly, the children aged 0-4 represent about 10% of the precise quantum of these lands that will be population, and children aged 5-11 represent counted as open space (as opposed to about 12%. This suggests there will be a need for conservation areas) will need to be adjusted once about 3 playgrounds for young children and 3-4 a process of “ground-truthing” has occurred to for older children. Playgrounds and playspaces identify the areas suitable for recreation. should be provided together in district parks to meet the need for “something for everyone” family In addition to open space associated with riparian activities. corridors and detention basins, there will be a need to provide local parks, in order to meet the There will be a need to provide local parks within objective of having a local park within walking walking distance of most dwellings. When the distance of most dwellings. physical constraints of the East Leppington precinct are considered, particularly the main road As outlined in Table 7.3 above, the ILP (version network, the riparian corridor, the water supply 12.6) makes provision for 6.488 ha of open space canal, and the gas and electricity easements, there for local parks, which range in size from 0.17 ha to are five discrete catchments for children’s just over 2 ha. This is supplemented by a further playgrounds within 500 metres of a central point. 9.8351 ha of land for passive recreation within or adjacent to the riparian corridors. For these reasons, five playgrounds for young children are recommended: two in the In addition, the ILP makes provision for one recommended district parks, and in three local district level park, provisionally named Leppington playgrounds. House Park, which is a larger park of 3.8 ha, potentially providing “something for everyone” Location and design considerations for family activities. Opportunities to address the need playgrounds are outlined in the table on the next for a second larger district park include the 2.665 page. ha park in the northern corner of the precinct. This

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Table 7.5: Location and design considerations for playgrounds Size Provision Design Considerations Children’s Playgrounds (0-4) years Co-located with parks, sportsgrounds, courts, schools, community facilities, conservation areas Regional, district, local hierarchy in terms of play equipment and range of experiences Minimum 0.3 ha for Each play area should offer a different experience. standalone playgrounds. Include children’s bike paths in district and 5 playgrounds Where co-located the regional playgrounds space may be reduced. Can be co-located with playspaces for 5 to 12 year olds – within sight distance for carers but physically separated Fencing if adjacent to water, road, steep slope Seating, shade, water provided. Playspaces (5 to 12 year olds) Allows for more independent play, skill development and cognitive development. However they still require adult supervision More challenging equipment Minimum 0.3 ha for These may include bouldering features, climbing standalone playgrounds. 3-4 playspaces areas, ‘learn to’ cycleways through to cycle Where co-located the obstacle course, skate facility, BMX/mountain bike space may be reduced. jumps and tracks These areas could be co-located with children’s playgrounds, school or community facilities for supervision and convenience of use by carers.

7.5 Active sporting open space Sportsgrounds may be located with adjoining passive open space to provide a major recreation This section outlines recommendations for the area. provision of local and district active open space for sporting activities. Internationally, there is a trend towards flexible training areas which do not have full pitches but Design considerations for sportsgrounds rather provide an opportunity for small sided Requirements for sportsgrounds in East games and half court practice areas. This Leppington are set out in Table 7.6. increases the flexibility of use and prevents pitches from being dominated by one sporting code. The recommended provision of sportsgrounds is based on providing for larger sporting complexes Consideration may also be given to synthetic turf with a minimum of two playing fields, rather than pitches for training which require less maintenance single fields dotted around the development, and water and have a high capacity for use which would result in duplication of smaller especially in winter months. facilities and provide limited recreational and social benefit. Single fields are not suitable for sporting At this early stage of planning, sportsgrounds are competitions and multiple teams. This leads to a proposed as multi-use facilities, rather than being lack of opportunity for training, an inability to allocated for specific sporting codes. Space and accommodate emerging sports, and a reduction in facilities for different sports will be integrated into the ability to put into practice Federal and State the active open space land budget allocated to government campaigns to improve general sportsgrounds based on need. Many sports can community health and well-being. share space.

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Table 7.6: Location and design considerations for local sportsgrounds Active Sports- Size Rate of Provision Design Considerations Grounds To accommodate demand for local sport and recreation training and competition. Rather than a series of single fields facilities are grouped to provide economies of scale for infrastructure.

To be located adjoining or as close as possible to schools

1 double field: May be co-located with a playground, play space, community Minimum 5,000 people facility 4 ha Local = 2 double Inclusions : Ideally playing fields (4 – 2 multi-purpose rectangular fields or 1-2 full-sized 5ha single fields) cricket/AFL ovals (plus practice nets or walls as appropriate) – 2 tennis / netball courts – 2 half-court basketball courts, or 2 multi-purpose courts – Lights for training – Amenities with change rooms, canteen, meeting room – Parking

Recommended provision touch football) exist, and these sporting The recommended rate of provision of sporting associations do not plan to outsource their fields is 1 double playing field per 5,000 people. competitions. Applying that rate to the proposed population of East Leppington means that at least two double  Participation in sport in Campbelltown needs to playing fields (4 single fields) should be provided increase, rather than creating more teams. (totalling about 10 ha). The forecast population, at With exceptions, clubs and associations are around 14,500 people, falls just short of the generally not considering expanding the threshold of 15,000 people which would trigger number of teams in the area. demand for a third double playing field. The proposed level of provision of sportsgrounds The ILP (Version 12.6) has proposed that one has also had regard to: sports park with only one double playing field be provided within East Leppington, with an area of  The range of sports catered for in neighbouring 5.9 ha. suburbs

This level of apparent under-provision, when  Sports club requirements ie. the locations of compared with the recommended and accepted home grounds for specific sports in standard, is understood to have arisen as a Campbelltown Liverpool and Camden. consequence of Campbelltown Council’s view that:  Potential future needs.  There is identified spare capacity in the sporting complexes located in suburbs of Campbelltown Liverpool Council is understood to have adopted to the south and south-east of East Leppington. similar views to that of Campbelltown Council, with It has been assumed that this spare capacity regard to there being potential capacity in existing will satisfy much of the demand arising from sports fields to the north of East Leppington, and East Leppington, especially for district level the need to contain Section 94 costs by minimising facilities. the quantum of open space to be acquired and embellished..  The distance to travel to the sporting complexes located in suburbs of Campbelltown to the Notwithstanding these considerations, a minimum south and south-east of East Leppington is in of two double playing fields is recommended for some cases less than 10 km, which Council East Leppington because: considers is not a considerable distance to travel for sports activities, particularly club  People who participate in field sports among sports. the 14,500 new residents in East Leppington need a sufficient number and at least training-  A range of central venues for key sports quality facilities locally (hockey, netball, basketball, softball, Oztag and

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 Sporting participation rates may increase, km to the north. In future, additional sporting particularly as those people moving in to the fields will be developed in the adjoining precincts precinct are expected to be young families. of Leppington, Leppington North and Austral. One double sporting field will not be sufficient These will all be closer to East Leppington than to cater for these needs existing facilities to the south.

 It is assumed there will be no spare capacity for The implication of the apparent under-provision of use of sporting fields in adjoining Growth sporting fields within East Leppington is that Centre precincts, particularly in Austral-North residents are likely to use those that are closest to Leppington them in the surrounding area – ie those within Liverpool and Camden LGA’s, rather than those  The rate will be equitable to that applied to further away in Campbelltown. The extent to other precincts in the South West Growth which this is an equitable and acceptable outcome Centre for Liverpool and Camden Councils is a matter for those councils to resolve with Campbelltown  It is inequitable to expect that the shortfall in Council. Camden Council has suggested that it East Leppington can be made up in the closest could require contributions from East Leppington adjoining Leppington Precinct, where precinct towards provision of sporting facilities in the future planning has not yet occurred. Generally the Leppington Precinct, if there is inadequate principle of each precinct making provision to provision within East Leppington, given the meet its own needs has been adopted, to proximity of the two precincts. ensure that a burden of under-provision is not passed on to future precincts Not making adequate provision for sporting fields within East Leppington also runs the risk that the  The distance for East Leppington residents to precinct will be deficient in sporting opportunities travel to existing district sporting fields in and will not encourage participation in sports and suburbs to the south and east in Campbelltown physical activity, at a time when government (Raby, Eagle Vale and Eschol Park) is a policy is trying to encourage such activity to minimum of 10 km (Googlemaps). This is a promote health outcomes. Lack of provision within deterrent to participation in sporting activities East Leppington would also not be equitable, given for people with limited or no access to a adequate levels of provision in the wider area. vehicle. While people may be prepared to travel distances such as this for district team The recommended minimum size of a competitions, this distance is considered sportsground is 4 ha, but ideally at least 5 ha is excessive for local kids sporting activities, and desirable to allow for buffers and flexibility in the puts additional pressure on families with more siting of the fields. The proposed area of 5.9 ha than one child to drive to sport could additionally accommodate active sports for younger age groups who will not require full sized fields, together with outdoor courts, as discussed  Sporting participants in the East Leppington below. population will require at least training-quality

facilities locally to avoid having to travel long Ideally the two sporting fields should be located distances alongside each other, to maximise efficiencies in administering competitions and training and in  New sporting clubs may decide to base providing a single set of amenities. Co-location of themselves in East Leppington rather than in the fields also provides convenience for families adjoining areas where children of different ages are playing in different games. The ILP appropriately locates the As noted previously, the NSW Guidelines for Open two fields together, as one double playing field. Space Planning (SGS Economics and HM Leisure Planning, 2010) recommend that local outdoor Outdoor courts sports fields be located one kilometre from most The land allocations recommended for dwellings. Requiring the East Leppington sportsgrounds make provision for inclusion of population to rely in part on sports fields located outdoor sports courts. Location and design at least 10 km away is contrary to the NSW considerations for outdoor sports are listed below Guidelines, and to the best practice principles in Table 7.7. outlined in Chapter 2, including the Growth Centres Development Code. It also runs counter to the Health Department’s Checklist for Healthy Urban Development.

The closest district level playing field to East Leppington currently is located in Prestons, seven

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 54

Table 7.7: Location and design considerations for outdoor  Off-road cycling paths and “learn to cycle” courts circuits for young children Location and design Outdoor courts considerations  A network of paths and trails for walking and Outdoor courts Regional, district, local jogging (netball, tennis, hierarchy basketball, beach  Fitness equipment located along the trails volleyball) Basketball courts In key district/suburb parks.  A large “kick about” area for informal ball (half, full) Co-located with sportsgrounds. games and practice Training courts at Netball Courts sportsgrounds and in  A half court with basketball hoop for practice district/key suburb parks Tennis courts – Minimum 2 courts  Playgrounds that encourage active play and local more challenging activities. Tennis facilities: co-located with district level facilities or In this way, providing high quality open space that Tennis centre – indoor multi-purpose offers a range of active recreation opportunities district recreation facilities. may help to make up for the notional shortfall in Minimum 4 courts to ensure the quantum of open space. viability Co-located with sportsground, and tennis and basketball Beach volleyball 7.6 Natural settings and linkages courts. Located in district and court regional parks, or at Natural settings and linkages or passive transport aquatic/leisure centres connections are important open space Multi-purpose Several locations considerations. This section outlines the courts requirements for the inclusion of these elements in

the planning for East Leppington. Creating other opportunities for active recreation Natural settings are important for conservation In the absence of adopting the recommendations purposes, as well as recreational settings, and of this study with regard to sporting fields, and offer visual amenity and physical separation of only providing one double sporting field in the ILP, urban areas. further consideration has been given to other ways of increasing opportunities for active recreation, The NSW Government has previously advised that particularly in the Liverpool component of the conservation areas, including core riparian zones, Precinct, which will have a population of around vegetated buffers, biological linkages and remnant 3,500 people and no local sporting facilities. In patches of native vegetation, may not be particular, opportunities to include active embellished for recreation uses. This in effect has recreation facilities in the largest park in the quarantined these areas from being used for Liverpool sector of the Precinct, OSc1, have been passive recreation purposes. However, as considered. mentioned previously, it is understood that these

requirements are about to change, and DPI has Our opinion is that the open space proposed within advised that up to 50% of land in riparian the Liverpool component of the East Leppington corridors may be counted as open space in the Precinct will not be suitable for facilities for East Leppington Precinct. The extent to which this organised sport, due to its size, shape and land will permit quality recreation uses is not clear potential flood affectation, and the economies of at this stage. scale required in providing sporting facilities.

Environmental conservation areas help protect However, in the absence of sporting facilities in remnant vegetation and the rural landscape, and the area, it is our opinion that the proposed open provide a visual buffer between the built areas. In space can, and should, be embellished in ways East Leppington, bushland on the north-eastern that encourage as much as possible informal corner of the intersection of Camden Valley Way physical activity and an active lifestyle. This and Ingleburn Road has been designated as an includes embellishments for all age and ability Environmental Conservation Area. The Scenic Hills groups, with a particular focus on children, young are designated as Environmental Management. people and family groups. Suggested Within this area, it is understood that the only embellishments include: public open space will be the proposed park

around Leppington House.

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Open space and recreation facilities should be safe by having passive surveillance and regular designed to maximise the visual advantages of the activity nodes and points of interest which may, ‘designated conservation areas’, by locating for example, offer play areas for children, fitness adjacent to them. equipment, seating, community gardens, public art or picnic facilities. The local history and heritage of Campbelltown, Liverpool and Camden should be represented in A network of walking and cycling tracks which link themes for the parks and playgrounds. with the regional network should be provided in or adjacent to the riparian corridors and adjacent to The Growth Centres Development Code and the conservation zones. Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), require walkways and open space areas to be outside of The creation of ‘on road’ and ‘off road’ cycleways Core Riparian Zones. OEH has reiterated that local provides an alternative transport mode as well as parks, playgrounds, cycleways and pathways increasing access adjacent to the conservation should not be located within Core Riparian Zones, areas and creating greater connectivity between vegetated buffers, biological linkages, and the new residential areas, facilities and services remnant patches of native vegetation. However, and the existing residential areas and natural they may be located adjacent to these areas. resources. Cycleways need to provide access to While 50% of riparian zones may be counted as community facilities and between residential areas open space, it is understood that the ILP will still as well as within them. need to locate all embellishments including play and fitness equipment, cycleways and associated It will be important that trails and walking paths in activity nodes to demonstrate that they are not East Leppington link into the Leppington Town proposed within the conservation areas. Centre, Western Sydney Parklands and the regional trail network to enhance connectivity. Locating cycleways adjacent to the conservation areas will provide increased opportunities for Provision of walking tracks and shared pathways/ cycleways and additional open space, as long as cycleways should be provided as follows. the activities do not impinge on the identified Considerations for the inclusion of linkages are ecological value of the area. The critical success outlined in Table 7.9. factor for these pathways is ensuring that they are

Table 7.9: Requirements for recreational linkages Linkage Open Space Location Design Consideration Flat to undulating land. In or adjacent to riparian corridors, water supply channel, drainage corridors. Provided as Link open space, recreation facilities required or Walking community facilities and services, Fitness trails may be incorporated as Tracks schools, town, neighbourhood and village into the track. opportunity centres arise Through bushland if appropriate Linking streets (depending on road network Flat to undulating land. Minimum 2.5 metre-wide path for In or adjacent to riparian corridors, water dual use. 0.7 hectares supply channel, drainage corridors. Seats and bubblers essential along Shared for each Link open space, recreation facilities the cycleway and circular routes cycleways/ kilometre community facilities and services, should be included where possible. Walkways length. schools, town, neighbourhood and village Access points to the cycleway from centres employment and residential land Linking streets (depending on road and bike storage is essential for network convenience of users.

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7.7 Conclusion adjacent to the riparian corridors and adjacent to conservation zones. In terms of local and district open space and recreation facilities, the study has identified a need Regional active and informal open space will be for: catered for in the Western Sydney Parklands, and the regional aquatic and indoor recreation facility  About 41.02 hectares of local and district open within the adjacent Leppington Town Centre. space, based on the DPI, Liverpool and Campbelltown Councils’ standard of 2.83 The proposed low rate of provision is of concern ha/1000 people from an open space and recreation planning perspective, as we believe that an insufficient  Two district/key suburb parks, focused on the quantum of open space will be provided in the area near Leppington House Park and in the precinct to meet the future needs of the East north-east of the Precinct. Leppington population. Demand will therefore be placed on resources and facilities in adjacent  Local parks within walking distance of most areas, which have not been planned to cope with dwellings this. The low rate of provision also sets an unfortunate precedent for the planning of future  Two double playing fields x 5 hectares each, precincts within the Growth Centre. including sports courts

 Five playgrounds for young children – two in the district parks and in three local playgrounds

 A network of walking and cycling trails along the creek line and linking to the wider network, particularly to the Leppington Major Centre.

The actual rate of provision proposed within the Indicative Layout Plan (ILP version 12.6) of 26.0197ha falls well short of the recommended quantum based on the application of the Council and DPI standard (41.02 ha). The actual rate of provision is equivalent to only 1.79 ha/1000 persons, compared to the adopted standard of 2.83 ha/1000.

This shortfall includes both informal/passive open space and active open space for sporting facilities, and occurs across each of the LGA components of the Precinct.

Two local sports parks are recommended within East Leppington, to include double playing fields and multi-purpose courts (minimum of 5 ha each). This compares with provision in the ILP for only one double playing field of 5.9 ha.

While there may be existing capacity within sports grounds in nearby suburbs of Campbelltown, these existing facilities will not be locally accessible to the East Leppington population. The proposed under-provision of sporting fields in the precinct has the risk of impacting on sports fields in adjoining precincts and LGAs, which are closer to East Leppington. It also has the risk of diminishing opportunities for physical activity and an interest in participating in sports.

A network of walking and cycling tracks which link with the regional network should be provided in or

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In terms of requirements for local and district level 8 Conclusion community facilities to be located within East Leppington North, recommendations include:

 One public primary school, to be provided by DEC

8.1 Summary conclusion  Neighbourhood level retail services for daily needs This study has considered the community facilities, human services and open space that will be  A neighbourhood level multi-purpose required to meet the needs of the future community centre of around 600 - 620sqm, as population of the East Leppington Precinct, in a base for local community activities and order to create communities which will be socially services, to be owned and managed by sustainable. Campbelltown Council

Currently only about 138 people live within the  Possibly three or four child care centres to be suburb of Varroville, the nearest suburb equivalent provided by the private sector, depending on to the East Leppington Precinct area. Over the size and supply in nearby areas next twenty years of so, the population is forecast to grow to around 14,500 people, of which around  Places of worship, according to local demand 24% will live within the Liverpool Council area, and with sites purchased through the market 61% within the Campbelltown Council area and the remaining 15% will live within the Camden  Local medical centre / GPs, according to market Council area of the Precinct. demand and accommodated in commercial premises In line with experience in other new release areas in south west Sydney, this population is expected  Residential aged care facilities, with sites to be to comprise mainly families with children, acquired through the market. especially in the early years. However, as a variety of housing types and sizes are provided, the The draft ILP makes appropriate provision for population will become more diverse, and over these facilities within the precinct. time will become representative of the broader population of western Sydney. Residents of the East Leppington Precinct will rely

on district and regional level facilities and services The study has found that there is very little spare available or proposed in the wider area, primarily capacity within existing social infrastructure in the in the Leppington Major Centre. The East area to meet the needs of this new population. Leppington Precinct is not considered suitable for While some local level facilities and open space the location of any district or regional facilities as it areas are located in adjacent areas, these are not does not contain a district or major centre, and is within local walking distance for the future East in close proximity to the future Leppington Major Leppington population and have been provided to Centre, where major new facilities will be meet the needs of their local catchments only. concentrated. Some existing facilities are likely to be redeveloped in the future as new precincts are developed, or In terms of local and district open space and else their spare capacity will be taken up by recreation facilities, the study has identified a need population growth in other precincts. for:

The only existing facilities which might be used by  About 41.02 hectares of local and district open the future East Leppington population are sporting space, based on the Liverpool and fields within Campbelltown. However road access Campbelltown Councils’ standard of 2.83 constraints to the precinct mean that these are at ha/1000 people. This open space would be least 10 km from the precinct, and so cannot be owned and maintained by Liverpool, Camden considered suitable to meet local needs. and Campbelltown Councils.

This means that future demand for local level  Two district/key suburb parks, focused on the facilities, services and open space will need to be area near Leppington House Park and in the addressed by new social infrastructure to be north-east of the Precinct. provided within the East Leppington Precinct.

 Local parks within walking distance of most dwellings

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 Two sports parks with double playing fields and adjoining precincts and LGAs, which are closer to sports courts (5 hectares each) East Leppington. It also has the risk of diminishing opportunities for physical activity and an interest in  Five playgrounds for young children – two in participating in sports. the district parks and in three local playgrounds The proposed low rate of provision of open space  A network of walking and cycling trails along and sporting facilities is of concern from an open the creek line and linking to the wider network, space and recreation planning perspective, as we particularly to the Leppington Major Centre. believe that an insufficient quantum of open space will be provided in the precinct to meet the future The actual rate of provision proposed within the needs of the East Leppington population. Demand Indicative Layout Plan (ILP version 12.6) of will therefore be placed on resources and facilities 26.0197ha falls well short of the recommended in adjacent areas, which have not been planned to quantum based on the application of the Council cope with this. The low rate of provision also sets and DPI standard (41.02 ha). The actual rate of an unfortunate precedent for the planning of provision is equivalent to only 1.79 ha/1000 future precincts within the Growth Centre. persons, compared to the adopted standard of 2.83 ha/1000. Regional active and informal open space will be catered for in the Western Sydney Parklands, and This shortfall includes both informal/passive open the regional aquatic and indoor recreation facility space and active open space for sporting facilities, within the adjacent Leppington Town Centre. and occurs across each of the LGA components of the Precinct. 8.2 Land requirements

Importantly, only one double playing field is The active and passive open space required and proposed, in contrast to the two recommended. the areas proposed to be provided under ILP 12.6 While there may be existing capacity within sports are set out in Table 8.1 and Map 2 below. Table grounds in nearby suburbs of Campbelltown, these 8.2 identifies the land that will be required for existing facilities will not be locally accessible to community facilities and schools. the East Leppington population. The proposed under-provision of sporting fields in the precinct has the risk of impacting on sports fields in

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 59

Table 8.2 Proposed Open Space Provision (ILP Version 12.6).

Row Labels CAMDEN CAMPBELLTOWN LIVERPOOL Open Space (Active)

OSb1 59,390 m2

Open Space (Active) Total 59,390 m2

Open Space (Local Parks)

OSc1 11,901 m2 OSc2 5,712 m2 OSc3 6,192 m2 OSc4 1,709 m2 OSc5 20,360 m2 OSc6 11,470 m2 OSc7 7,537 m2 Open Space (Local Parks) Total 11,470 m2 35,798 m2 17,613 m2 Open Space (District Parks) OSc8 37,575 m2 Open Space (Passive)

OSa1 4,966 m2 OSa10 7,771 m2 OSa2 14,692 m2 OSa3 4,394 m2 OSa4 15,468 m2 OSa5 1,969 m2 OSa6 450 m2 OSa7 23,260 m2 OSa8 22,740 m2 OSa9 2,641 m2 Open Space (Passive) Total 56,862m2 41,489 m2

Grand Total 11,470 m2 189,625m2 59,102 m2

Table 8.2 Land proposed for Schools and Community Facilities

Campbell- COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE (sq.m) Camden Liverpool town Total (sq.m)

Schools 0 0 29,896 29,896 Multi-purpose community centre. Community Uses - Building (incl 15% PM and 15% Contingency) – number 0 0 1 Multi-purpose community centre. Community Uses - Land 0 0 3,237 3,237

Total 0 0 33,133 33,133

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Legend D A O AY R W Y Site Boundary E E R LL U A T V S N E Easement A D P M A W C O 100yr Flood Extent C Online Detention Basins - B1 CLB1 Offline Detention Basins - R1 CLB2 B5 Bio-retention basins (co-located) - CLB1 OSa1

D A Bio-retention basins (other drainage areas) - BR1 O R D N A O Riparian Area - RC1 O R R Y D B R OSa2 A Open Space (PassiKve) - OSa1 IC R IN Open Space (Active) - OSb1 G LE B U OSc1 D R A N O Open Space (Local Parks) - OSc1 R O BR1 R A Y D E L L Conservation Area A V X OSa3 B4 O F Other Drainage and Infrastructure - D1 or DE1 CLB3 Cadastre (LPI, 2011) BR13 LGA Boundary (LPI) OSc2 RC1 OSa4 OSa5 BR2

DE1 BR3 H E E A V T I H D3 R D R D O D A E A D N E CLB4 H NGM A PRI M S B3 CLB5 C O U R DE2 T R O D4 BR4 A OSc3 D

OSa6

OSa7 BR5

D5 P D6 A R K OSc4 BR6 R O A D BR7 RC2

RC4 BR8 DE3 OSb1 D10

OSc9 BR9 B1 CLB6 OSc5 OSa8 CLB7 BR10

CLB8 OSc8 RC3 D12 R1 D11 OSc6 OSa9

OSa10 BR12 BR11 D13

OSc7

S T A N D R E W S R O A D14 D

D

A

O

R

S

D S I T V A A

N D D R T E S W S D R OA O S R A ME D JA ST

Feature Names

® Map Produced by Cardno NSW/ACT Pty Ltd (WOL) 1:11,000 Scale at A3 EAST LEPPINGTON Date: 2013-05-24 Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 56 Metres Project: Urban\600319 Map: G1002_FeatureNames.mxd 01 0 100 200 300 400 500

9 References Liverpool City Council (2008) Liverpool Contributions Plan 2008: Edmondson Park.

Liverpool City Council (2011) Growing Liverpool 2021 - Community Strategic Plan.

Camden Council (2005) Youth Strategic Plan 2005- Liverpool City Council (2009) Liverpool Community 2010. Strategy 2009.

Camden Council (2005) Camden Recreation and Liverpool City Council (2010) Provision Rates Leisure Strategy 2005. Indicative Draft, 21 September 2010.

Camden Council Section 94 Contributions Plan. Liverpool City-Wide Recreation Strategy 2020 (2003) Camden Council (2010) Camden 2040 – Draft, August. Newplan (2010) Austral and Leppington North Precincts: Community Infrastructure Contributions Camden Council (2010) Camden 2040: Community Issues Paper. Prepared for Department of Consultation Report. Planning, May.

Camden Council Oran Park and Turner Road NSW Communities (2010) Western Sydney Precincts Section 94 Contributions Plan. Parklands Plan of Management 2020.

Camden Council (2008) Residential Strategy. NSW Legislative Assembly Standing Committee Inquiry into Sportsground Management in NSW Campbelltown City Council, Revised Social Plan (2006). 2010 - 2012 NSW Government (2010). Metropolitan Plan for Conybeare Morrison International (2010). Sydney 2036 Leppington Major Centre Master Plan: Structure Plan Options Study – Working Paper. Prepared for NSW Healthy Ageing Strategy Department of Planning, October. NSW Health Obesity and Active Recreation Department of Planning (2007) South West program, Creating Active Communities: Physical Subregion: Draft Subregional Strategy Activity Guidelines for Active Communities (2001)

Department of Planning (2009) Draft Local NSW State Plan (2006) Priority E8: More people Development Contributions Guidelines. using parks, sporting and recreational facilities, and participating in the arts and cultural activity Department of Planning (2010) Social infrastructure and open space report, Area 20 Parliamentary Enquiry Into Children, Young People precinct. Prepared by Elton Consulting. 10 May. And The Built Environment NSW Parliament (2006) Planning Guidelines for Walking and Cycling (2004) Department of Planning (2011) Draft Demographic and Social infrastructure Assessment Report, Premier’s Council for Active Living, (2010). Austral and Leppington North precincts. Prepared Designing places and projects for active living. by Elton Consulting and Parkland Environmental Planners. 1 August. SGS Economics and Planning and HM Leisure Planning (2010) Recreation and Open Space Elton Consulting (2007) Oran Park Community Planning Guidelines for Local Government. Facilities and Open Space Assessment: Final Prepared for the Department of Planning, Report. Prepared for Growth Centres Commission, December. March. Spackman Mossop Michaels (2010) Draft South Growth Centres Commission (2006) Growth West Growth Centre Road Network Strategy. Centres Development Code. Prepared for the Roads and Traffic Authority, April.

Heather Nesbitt Planning with CD Recreation South Western Sydney Local Health Network, (8 Services and Parkland Environmental Planners March 2011) Letter – RE: Draft Indicative Layout (2003). Liverpool City-Wide Recreation Strategy Plan (ILP) for Leppington North and Austral 2020. Prepared for Liverpool City Council, precincts and draft Leppington Major Centre December. Masterplan

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 63

Urban Design Guidelines with Young People In Suter and Associates (2003). Assessing Recreation Mind DUAP (1999) Demand and Opportunities: Western Sydney Region. Prepared for the Department of Urbis (2012) Draft Social Infrastructure and Open Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Space Assessment East Leppington Precinct, for June. Department of Planning and Infrastructure.

University of Technology Sydney (2003). Camden Recreation Demand Study.

Department of Planning and Infrastructure: Social Infrastructure and Open Space Assessment - East Leppington Precinct 64

Appendix 1 Regional open space and recreation facilities

Existing regional and district sport and active recreation facilities Existing regional and district sporting facilities in proximity to East Leppington and the South West Growth Centre are shown in Figure 3 of this Report and listed in Table A.1 below.

Table A1: Existing regional and district sporting and recreation facilities Facility Features Aquatic2 Michael Wenden Leisure Centre, Miller 50m heated outdoor pool, 12.5m indoor heated program pool Whitlam Leisure Centre, Liverpool 10-lane Olympic 50m outdoor pool, 8-lane 25m indoor pool, leisure pools, water features and slides Holsworthy Wattle Grove Aquatic 25m heated pool, 14m teaching pool Education Centre Macquarie Fields Leisure Centre Indoor heated pool 25m x 8 lanes Outdoor Olympic 50m x 8 lane pool Outdoor leisure / toddler pool Eagle Vale Central 25m heated indoor pool, heated indoor leisure pool, program pool Mount Annan Leisure Centre 25m heated indoor pool, heated indoor leisure pool, program pool Camden War Memorial Pool 8-lane outdoor 50 metre pool, leisure pool, wet play park Athletics Bob Prenter Reserve, Macquarie Fields Athletics facilities – long jump pits, throwing circles and cages Campbelltown Athletics Centre, Leumeah International standard synthetic track and field facility Craik Park, Austral Grass athletics track Eschol Park Sports Complex Grass athletics track Macquarie Fields Park Athletics facilities - long jump pits, throwing circles and cages Ash Road Sporting Complex Grass athletics track Oswald Reserve Athletics facilities - long jump pits, throwing circles and cages Baseball Catherine Field Oval, Catherine Field Gilchrist Baseball Park, Campbelltown 1 baseball diamond Hilder Reserve, Elderslie Kennett Park, Glenfield 1 baseball field Milton Park, Macquarie Fields 5 baseball diamonds Riverside Park, Chipping Norton 3 diamonds St Helens Park Baseball Complex 1 senior baseball diamond, 2 x junior baseball diamonds Woodlands Park Baseball Complex 2 baseball diamonds, 1 x junior baseball diamonds Bike tracks / BMX Powell Park, Cartwright BMX Macarthur BMX, Kirkham Park, Elderslie BMX Campbelltown Bicycle and Road Safety Main road circuit, toddler bike track, + playground and picnic Education Centre (Campbelltown) areas Equestrian

2 A 25 metre leisure pool is planned at Oran Park.

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Facility Features Camden Bicentennial Equestrian Park Dressage, cross-country, showjumping Ingleburn Pony Club, Macquarie Reserve, Macquarie Fields Minto Showground / Victoria Park Rossmore Grange Victoria Park, Minto Equestrian facilities Field sports Ambarvale Sports Complex X fields. Soccer Benham Oval, Minto 1 x International Rugby League field, 1 x mod rugby league field Bensley Reserve, Macquarie Fields 2 x full sized soccer fields, 2 x mini soccer fields, clubhouse, tiered seating platform Blinman Oval, Glenfield 2 x full size soccer fields 1 x synthetic cricket pitch Bob Prenter Reserve, Macquarie Fields AFL field, grandstand, clubhouse Campbelltown Sports Stadium 20,000 people capacity. Football, rugby league, rugby union Coronation Park Soccer, Minto I x soccer field Clark Reserve, Kearns 1 x AFL field 2 x synthetic cricket pitches Eagle Creek Reserve, Eschol Park 1 x mod rugby league field Eschol Park Sports Complex 2 x international rugby league fields 3 x full size soccer fields, 2 x mini soccer fields 2 x cricket nets, cricket fields James Meehan Oval, Macquarie Fields 1 x soccer field 1 x concrete cricket pitch Hazlett Oval, Macquarie Fields 1 x soccer field 1 x synthetic cricket pitch Kayess Park, Minto 8 x touch football fields, clubhouse Kooringa Reserve, Raby 4 x full size soccer fields Macquarie Fields Park 2 x full sized soccer fields, 2 x mini soccer fields 1x synthetic cricket pitch , 1 x cricket nets Memorial Oval, Ingleburn 1 x AFL field 1 x turf cricket wicket, 1 x synthetic cricket pitch, 5 x synthetic cricket nets Milton Park Sports Complex, Macquarie 1 x international rugby league field, 1 x mod rugby league field 1 Fields x mini soccer field Raby Sports Complex 9 x hockey fields, 2 mini fields, clubhouse, tiered seating 6 x cricket fields Sarah Redfern Playing fields, Minto 1 x International rugby league field, 1 x mod rugby league field 2 x full size soccer fields, 1 x mini soccer field 2 x synthetic cricket pitches Seddon Park, Glenfield 2 x international rugby league fields 2 x synthetic cricket pitches, 4 x cricket nets Stromeferry Reserve, St Andrews 1 x international rugby league field, 1 x mod rugby league field 1 x synthetic cricket pitch Victoria Park, Minto 9 x Oztag fields Wood Park, Ingleburn 1 x international rugby league field 1 x synthetic cricket pitch Woodward Park, Liverpool 4 fields Golf Camden Lakeside Country Club, Catherine 18-hole golf course Field Camden Valley Golf Resort Macarthur Grange Country Club, Kearns Private 18-hole golf course Macquarie Links International Golf Club, Private 18-hole golf course Ingleburn Tree Valley Golf Course, Edmondson Park Public 18-hole golf course, practice range Hockey Moorebank Hockey Complex 2 synthetic, and grass hockey fields

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Facility Features Macarthur Regional Hockey Centre, 2 synthetic fields Narellan Raby Sports Complex 9 hockey fields Indoor court sport3 / gyms Fairfield Leisure Centre 1 multi-purpose indoor court, gym/aerobics Wenden Leisure Centre 2-court multi-purpose sports stadium, gym/aerobics Whitlam Leisure Centre Indoor sports courts, gym Macquarie Fields Leisure Centre Indoor sports courts, gymnastics hall, gym Minto Indoor Sports Centre 4 x basketball courts. Also caters for martial arts, table tennis, volleyball, futsal, roller skating. Eagle Vale Leisure Centre Gym Mount Annan Leisure Centre Fitness centre, gym Netball Woodward Park, Liverpool 32 hardcourts Coronation Park, Minto 39 x hardcourt netball courts, 6 x grass netball courts Kirkham Park, Elderslie 18 hardcourts, 9 grass courts Milton Park Sports Complex Greenway Park Shooting Sydney International Shooting Centre 1 x 10-metre indoor range, 3 partial indoor ranges, 11 outdoor ranges Skate parks Kelso Skate Park, Moorebank Powell Park, Liverpool (planned) Kirkham Skate Park, Elderslie Campbelltown Skate Park, Leumeah Macquarie Fields Skate Park Softball Macarthur Regional Softball Centre, Cowpasture Reserve, Camden Milton Park Softball Complex, Macquarie 7 dedicated diamonds + 8 diamonds on adjoining football fields Fields if available Squash Minto Squash Centre Tennis Campbelltown Tennis Academy, Leumeah 14 tennis courts Clark Reserve, Kearns 2 x tennis courts Ingleburn Tennis Club 6 tennis courts Macquarie Road Reserve Milton Park, Macquarie Fields 4 tennis courts

3 2 indoor sports courts are proposed at Carnes Hill.

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Studies of Open Space and Recreation – Using selected natural areas for more Demand adventurous activities – Managing noisy sports. Western Sydney Regional Recreation

Demand and Opportunities Study 2003 South West Subregion Draft Subregional Expressed demand for recreation opportunities in Strategy Western Sydney (Suter and Associates, 2003) is The South West Subregion Draft Subregional highest for: Strategy (Department of Planning, 2007) identified

specific needs for:  Informal use of parks. This includes:

 Developed open space and functional regional – Unique or larger parks for social gatherings parklands. Staging of development of and outings for family and culturally diverse recreational facilities and parks will follow groups residential developments – Informal recreation parks linked to medium density development  Family-oriented parks and facilities to cater for – Hierarchy of playground facilities and the area’s growing population which is often experiences family groups – Areas for people to walk dogs – Safe and appealing parks  Facilities for younger people such as outdoor  Access to water. This includes: courts, cycle tracks, skate and rollerblade facilities, BMX tracks, and more adventurous play areas, especially in new release areas – Walking tracks along rivers and creek lines – Picnic areas around water features such as lakes and creeks  In relation to local open space, the objectives – Interactive water features in parks for Parks, Places and Culture in the South-West – Active aquatic recreation Subregion, incorporating Campbelltown local government area, are:  Interaction with nature. This includes: – F2.1 - Improve the quality of local open – Access to natural areas for passive and space active recreation – F2.1.3 - Councils to consider an open space – Protect and retain natural areas for embellishment program that improves recreation and biodiversity conservation facilities to encourage use.

 Connections and travel on trails and routes. Improving the use of local open space in the sub- This includes: region is a priority. This may best be achieved by developing local parks with basic facilities including barbecues, shaded areas, seating, picnic areas, – Providing an integrated network of walking toilets and parking. Basic facilities should also and cycle tracks across the region extend to include youth facilities such as basketball – Improving the quality of some tracks and netball courts and rings, cycle tracks and – Creating local links to regional track skateboard parks. networks.

Liverpool City-Wide Recreation Strategy Other expressed demands are for: 2020

Key findings of the Liverpool City-Wide Recreation  Public spaces and recreation facilities for young Strategy 2020 (Heather Nesbitt Planning et. al., people 2003) for open space and recreation facilities were a need to provide:  Access to cultural and civic spaces for regional

cultural and community events.  Additional sporting facilities (more playing fields) to meet the needs of organised sports  Improving the standard of district-level sporting facilities, recognising high levels of participation  Informal, unstructured recreation facilities for in sport in the region young people. Young people identified water parks, extreme sports, indoor recreation  Specialised sport and recreation. This includes: centres, swimming pools, BMX tracks, gym/aerobics, outdoor basketball courts, skate – Upgrading existing and provide additional parks, beach volleyball courts aquatic and leisure centres

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 Accessible recreation facilities for older  Environmental – contrast to urban residents and residents with a disability, and development, access to natural settings, more sporting activities for people with improved visual landscape, and improved air disabilities quality from presence of trees

 Improvement of the natural environment  Economic – attracts new residents to an area, (waterways, creeklines) for use for passive property prices are higher adjacent to parks, recreation and savings in health costs from increased physical exercise.  Indoor recreation centres Demand trends  Outdoor basketball / hardcourts Trends in use of open space and participation in recreation activities are being driven by several  Quality children’s playgrounds, including play wider trends in Australian society, which are: opportunities for children of all ages  Ageing population. The Australian population  Quality passive parks aimed at family recreation is gradually ageing as life expectancy increases, birth rates stay low, and “baby boomers” grow  Water based facilities including swimming pools older. This results in increasing demand for and waterparks facilities and lower impact activities that cater for the needs of older age groups. Many  Walking / cycling paths retirees have the time, energy and commitment to improve their physical fitness once they no  BMX tracks and children’s off-road cycling longer work facilities.  Changes in work practices. Increasing Camden Recreation Demand Survey demands on peoples’ spare time, the increase Findings of the Camden Recreation Demand in casual and shift work, and the increase in the Survey (UTS, 2003) were that there is: proportion of families with two parents working full time requires flexibility in the times that  Deficiency in large halls (two-court or greater facilities are available for people to enjoy sports halls with carparking) and small halls recreation. This leads to a greater demand for (community halls used for dancing etc) indoor facilities that are available all day and evenings, every day of the year. Organised sports on weekday evenings give people more  Overprovision of large pitch reserves or ovals time on weekends for informal recreation with (for cricket and AFL) across the LGA family and friends  Under-provision of standard pitches  Changing housing types, with a shift towards medium density housing with less  Deficit of standard outdoor courts to private open space. accommodate sports such as tennis Based on the available research on sport and  Undersupply of weight training / fitness centres recreation participation in Western Sydney, it is provided as commercial ventures predicted that that numerous factors will characterise the long term demand for recreation  Need for a designated athletics space or and open space opportunities across the South suitably adapted multi-use facility. West Growth Centre and to East Leppington:

Benefits of open space  Significant popularity of informal recreation Open space is a benefit to the community, and is activities. Although organised sport is a very worth providing. The numerous benefits of open visible form of recreation, various surveys space include: indicate that participation in organised sporting activities is not as popular as unstructured  Personal - improved physical and psychological recreation activities health  Flexibility in provision of facilities. Changes  Social and community – strengthened family in recreation preferences towards newer and and community ties, and reduction of crime and more varied activities which are available in anti-social behaviour more time periods

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 Interest in health and fitness. There is a disability, strollers, prams and young children growing interest and awareness in physical using hard surface toys fitness and healthy living among all age groups. Fitness is increasingly seen as part of a  The high demand for recreation programs for all balanced lifestyle for health, rather than just a age groups will continue, resulting in increased leisure activity demand for indoor multipurpose sport and leisure centres  Personal fitness activities are becoming an increasingly sophisticated, comprehensive and  It is likely that as the population grows there commercial service offered by gyms and will be increased levels of cultural diversity in individual personal trainers often in Council the community, giving rise to a greater variety parks and indoor fitness centres. “Boot camps” of sport and recreation needs are a high-profile form of such activities  There are limited recreation, entertainment and  Activities requiring commitment for commercial leisure opportunities for young attendance at a specified time are declining in people. Access to sport and recreation favour of activities that can be participated in opportunities is difficult for young people due to informally, such as walking, swimming, cycling lack of public transport. There is a need to view and gym activities young people as having a legitimate claim on public space, and this will need to be addressed  Increase in demand for outdoor recreation. in the planning of the public domain in all Outdoor recreation activities that take place in precincts natural settings, such as bushwalking, mountain bike riding, camping and fishing, are growing in  There will be an increased demand for natural popularity. There is likely to be substantial areas as places to experience the natural demand for natural settings and destinations environment, by protecting, restoring and close to urban populations in future studying natural settings away from the urban setting and for appealing areas to walk and  New activities. New activities are constantly relax in a natural setting. In particular, more emerging as a result of overseas trends, natural river settings, creek corridors and larger cultural diversity and the increasing impact of bushland parks are valued. There is high technology on leisure choices, including demand for walking and cycle networks, computer games and using new equipment including track systems linked to corridors and such as scooters natural areas

 “Old” activities. People in their teens and 20s  There will be an increasing need for more are taking up pastimes traditionally done by innovative strategies to manage competing older people, such as lawn bowls recreation activities within key natural resource areas. In particular more adventurous activities  Growth in sports tourism. There is an such as higher impact activities like horse increasing number of events and participation in riding, mountain bike riding, trail bike riding and sports tourism, including Masters events, and four-wheel drive use State and national championships catering for all ages  Ongoing demand for a wider range of recreation opportunities for ‘the baby  National health issues will continue to stress boomers’ and ‘empty nesters’ in the 50-60 improving opportunities within the built years age cohort will be required, beyond the environment for everyday incidental exercise traditional passive opportunities. These age within employment and residential areas and groups are under provided for within the requiring designated walking and cycling tracks current supply of facilities and opportunities in within nature corridors and natural areas Camden

 There will be a sustained demand for health  With an aging population there will be a need to and fitness opportunities, requiring both improve accessibility of existing recreation indoor and outdoor facilities opportunities for older people. This may include a more accessible public domain within  The quality of facilities and open space is residential and employment zones becoming as important as quantity. Open space should be more carefully designed to take into  Sporting codes are increasing the duration of account a wider range of needs. For example, playing seasons and increasing demand for well-formed and well maintained paths which training as well as competition grounds. are suitable for older people, those with a Coupled with climate change, consideration

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needs to be given to all-weather/ synthetic Rules football (9%), netball (8%), tennis (8%) and surfaces as an alternative to grass so that basketball (7%). Children participate in organised facilities can be used all year round and sport at a higher rate than adults do. minimise demand for irrigation In 2009 Australian children were more likely to  Sporting clubs are demanding higher participate in organised sporting activities if: standards of provision, with changing facilities, storage and floodlighting essential  they are aged 9-11 years. inclusions so they can play in the evening and in winter  they were born in Australia or another English speaking country.  Changing demand patterns suggests growth in adventure based activities such as artificial  they live outside a capital city. climbing wall, BMX, skateboarding, in-line skating, mountain biking, trail running, beach  they live in a couple family. volleyball within urban areas also need to be considered for future provision for youth  their parent(s) are employed.

 Amenities within parks are also essential. The most popular non-organised outdoor activities Shade, water seats, interactive equipment and for children in Australia in 2009 are bike riding skating and bike areas are core inclusions for (60%), and skateboarding/rollerblading/riding a parks to be used regularly scooter (49%).

 The increase in community events and Adults ceremonies held within parks requires Key findings of recreation participation data of additional facilities and utilities such as seating, NSW adults are: shelter, power, water, parking infrastructure  informal recreation activities, particularly walking, are more popular than sporting  There is potential to explore dual use activities. opportunities with schools to share resources and facilities, particularly in the early stages of  the highest rate of participation in sport and the development when population numbers will physical activities is among people aged 15-34 be lower. This will assist to make some facilities years. financially viable  as age increases, participation rates in faster  With an increasing trend to indoor multipurpose sports such as soccer (outdoor) and netball facilities, consideration should be given to the decline significantly. design of community centres to ensure that they can accommodate a range of leisure and  In 2009 young Australian adults aged 15-24 recreation programs, for example dance, yoga, years participated most in aerobics / fitness exercise, martial arts activities (25%), running (18%), followed by soccer – outdoor (16%), swimming (16%),  There is increasing demand for passive walking (14%), basketball (14%), netball recreation opportunities for families, and (12%), tennis (9%), Australian football (9%), for affordable facilities and activities cycling (8%), cricket – outdoor (8%), touch football and indoor soccer (7%), rugby league  Demand is strong for a hierarchy of children’s (6%) and touch football (6%). playgrounds with more diverse equipment and facilities for older children, rather than “off-  Outdoor activities in which participation rates the shelf” equipment. increase with age, at least until the age of 65 years, are canoeing / kayaking, golf, fishing, Participation in recreational activities sailing, walking, lawn bowls and carpet bowls. Children Changes in participation between 2000 and 2009  The most popular activities for older Australians of Australian children aged 5 to 14 years in cultural 65 years and over in 2009 were walking (45%), and leisure activities4 showed a marginal increase aerobics / fitness (14%), golf (9%), swimming in participation in at least one organised sport (7%), lawn bowls (7%), bush walking (4%), (59% in 2000 to 63% in 2009). The most popular cycling (4%), tennis (4%), aquarobics (2%), organised sports for children in Australia in 2009 dancing (2%), fishing (2%), weight training are swimming (18.5%), soccer (13%), Australian (2%), yoga (2%), carpet bowls (1%), martial arts (1%), and running (1%). 4 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2009)

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Activities that are popular in most adult groups, or “whole of life” activities, include swimming, tennis, tenpin bowling, dancing, cycling, bushwalking, yoga, golf, fishing, sailing and walking.

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Table: Population Characteristics and Implications for Recreation Demand Population Implications for East Leppington Characteristics Demand for Recreation Opportunities

Facility capacity and opportunities will need An increasing population requires a higher to keep pace with population and Total Population level of provision of recreational facilities and employment growth. settings. Potential for overuse of facilities. 14,497 Facilities that absorb the needs of residents additional Increasing population density means people and workers at peak times are required. people need to easily access recreation Additional open space within budget opportunities from where they live and work. constraints is required. Age is the most important determinant of recreational patterns.

Younger people are more active in a variety of recreational pursuits.

Children aged 0-14 years are interested in parks and playgrounds, field sports, riding Focus on facilities for young children, bikes, walking for pleasure, picnics, young adults, and older adults such as barbecues, swimming, visiting friends, going family-friendly, accessible and sheltered to the movies, and going to beach. spaces and facilities.

Age Young people need informal recreation Aging population requires focus on less spaces where they feel comfortable to hang structured non-sporting facilities and out. services e.g. walking tracks and parks.

Participation in sport is higher in younger age groups. As people get older they participate less frequently in activities that require physical effort, and prefer walking, golf and lawn bowls.

People of all ages enjoy activities such as walking, observing nature, cycling, swimming, tennis and golf. Males are likely to use open space and participate more often than females in active recreational pursuits. Females participate more in unstructured Provision of sporting facilities tends to and informal activities such as walking, favour male sports. nature activities and aerobics; and sporting Recognise the need to equitably cater for Gender activities such as netball, gymnastics, green the different recreation preferences of sports and badminton. males and females. Activities in which males and females participate equally include visiting parks, picnics and barbecues, bushwalking, baseball/softball, outdoor hockey, tennis. People from different cultural backgrounds People from a non-English speaking have different preferences and interests in background (NESB) do not participate in recreation activities. sport as often as people from an English Social meeting places, picnic and barbecue speaking background. This is particularly true facilities, and indoor sport facilities are Place of Birth for women from a NESB and is mostly important. attributable to access issues. There are opportunities for integrating and People from diverse cultural backgrounds sharing cultures in recreation settings. require access to parks with spaces for large Newly arrived immigrants need access to family and community gatherings sporting facilities. Educational People with higher levels of education and A generally higher level of education qualifications occupations use open space more often than indicates a higher than average the less educated, particularly the more participation rate in recreation activities.

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Population Implications for East Leppington Characteristics Demand for Recreation Opportunities

expensive outdoor activities and indoor sports. The high number of families with children implies a higher than average demand for playgrounds, sports fields, swimming pools Households with children and young people and indoor sports facilities. Household Type are more frequent users of recreation Opportunities to participate in recreation facilities than other household types. are important to alleviate social isolation and to support fitness and reduce increasing obesity rates in some lower- income areas. Use of recreation facilities and settings reflects the cost of using those facilities. There is an ability to pay for recreation People earning medium to higher incomes activities for part of the population, Household demonstrate an above average participation although there is a need for affordable and Income in gym activities, tennis and golf which cost informal opportunities, particularly for older money to play. People and households adults, young people and families. earning lower incomes are more likely to use free public and school facilities. There is a need to provide sufficient open Detached dwellings generally have play space, particularly children’s play space, in space for children and space for gardening medium density residential areas and areas etc. where detached dwellings are on small

blocks through land acquisition and Medium density dwellings and flats have little Dwelling embellishment of existing open spaces. play space which increases reliance on local Structure Families require space beyond home for public open space. Increasing numbers of active recreation (kicking balls, walking people living in apartments will mean dogs etc.). increased demand for access to open space, The denser population close to transport outdoor facilities for children and young routes requires open space to compensate people. for limited private recreation space. Promotion of recreation opportunities is High turnover of residents means that Residential important to increase awareness of new awareness of recreation opportunities and Mobility residents about recreational opportunities local social networks is lessened. to encourage them to participate. Greater access to motor vehicles increases access to recreation options. Households with one or no vehicles are Vehicle owners have the mobility to use open constrained in their access to a range of space more frequently for active recreation, recreation opportunities. Public transport and use a greater variety of recreational Vehicle and quality close-to-home recreation spaces and facilities. People without access Ownership opportunities are particularly important for to a vehicle tend to visit local parks within these households. walking distance of their homes or on a Those suburbs with much lower levels of public transport route. car ownership need quality local facilities. Key facilities should ideally be located on public transport routes. Sources: various Australian and overseas studies.

Provision for individual sports Provisions for individual sports referred to in Section 7.5.2.

Table 9.11: Provision for individual sports Sports Comments Archery can use multi-purpose sporting fields with nearby storage facility for Archery Facility targets, arrows etc. Australian Rules Fields Australian Rules can share field with cricket Synthetic: dedicated athletics track and field (throwing, jumping) facilities. Athletics Tracks Grass: line marking on multi-purpose sporting field (oval preferred). Throwing

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circles and jumping pits can be located alongside a multi-purpose sporting field. Baseball and softball Ideally needs a dedicated caged and fenced area with dugouts, diamond etc. diamonds Cricket wickets / fields Cricket can share with Australian Rules Gridiron Fields Retain gridiron field at Austral or use for other sports Synthetic fields: Hockey fields Grass hockey fields: can be played on a rectangular winter sporting field Oztag fields Oztag can use multi-purpose sporting fields Rugby league / union Need separate fields to soccer fields for league and union in winter (different goals fields required) Need separate fields to rugby union/league fields for soccer in winter (different Soccer Fields goals required)

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Appendix 2 Extract from Urbis 2012 – Existing Social Infrastructure near East Leppington

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6.3 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

6.3.1 EDUCATION Figure 8 in Appendix E presents the location of existing education service facilities in the surrounding area.

6.3.2 CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS There is currently one childcare facility located within the East Leppington Precinct – Care for Kindies Kindergarten, Leppington – and no preschools. Care for Kindies offers long day care services and currently has vacancies throughout the week.

There are approximately 35 childcare and preschool facilities in the surrounding district. A desktop review of childcare resource website Care for Kids, suggests that there is currently capacity across a number of childcare services within the district catchment.

Interviews with service providers within the district catchment suggest that there are a large number of childcare centres within the district catchment. It was acknowledged that some have vacancies and some are at capacity. Representatives of one childcare centre within the district stated that it has capacity for enrolments across all age groups, including before and after school care. However, it was noted that there is some demand for services that cater for children 3 to 5 years.

There are a total of approximately 76 childcare services within the regional catchment.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS There are 12 primary schools in the surrounding district. The nearest primary schools to the site include the Leppington Public School and Holy Spirit Primary School (both located within 2km of the East Leppington Precinct). It is understood from consultations that Leppington Public School currently has capacity and space for new students. The majority of students are from non-English speaking backgrounds, of which approximately half are Cantonese. Students attending Leppington Public School generally live south of the school, including the suburbs of Leppington, Leppington South and Catherine Field.

Other schools within close proximity to the precinct include Rossmore Public School, which had a total of 147 students in 2010, Austral Public School which had a total of 361 students in 2010 and Greenway Park Public School which had a total of 783 students in 2010. The total number of students at Holy Spirit Primary School was unavailable at this time.

There are a total of 32 primary schools located at the regional level. This includes 26 public primary schools and six private primary schools. These schools are located in surrounding suburbs including Ingleburn, Minto, Macquarie Fields and Prestons. Further, these schools cater for children with culturally diverse backgrounds including those who speak English as a second language.

Based on evidence from consultations with service providers, it is anticipated that there is existing capacity for expansion at a number of primary school sites in the local area, including at the nearby Leppington Public School.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS There are approximately six secondary schools located within the surrounding district, these include Mount Carmel High School (1,023 students) and John Edmondson High School (1,104 students). There are no independent secondary schools within the district catchment. With regard to the regional catchment, there are a further 15 secondary schools. The majority of secondary schools located in the regional area are located in the areas around Hinchinbrook, Macquarie Fields and Casula.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that secondary schools located in the district and regional areas have some capacity, however Edmondson Park High School is currently at capacity. It was also noted through consultation that there are plans for new primary and secondary schools within Edmondson Park. Other release areas, including Oran Park also have secondary school sites dedicated.

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Anecdotal evidence also suggests a service provision gap associated with current transport systems, particularly with regard to a lack of bus routes and suitable timetables for children accessing schools within the area.

TERTIARY EDUCATION There are four TAFE colleges within the region and include: South Western Sydney Institute – Liverpool Campus, Miller Campus, Macquarie Fields Campus and Campbelltown Campus. The Macquarie Fields and Miller Campuses are closest to the East Leppington Precinct. The following outlines the main types of courses offered at each of these TAFE Colleges.

. Liverpool Campus – Accounting, beauty, business, vocational, hairdressing, digital media and technology

. Miller Campus – Business, engineering, digital media and technology, industrial and retail

. Macquarie Fields Campus – Aged care, business, fitness, digital media and technology, fashion and disability carer programs

. Campbelltown Campus – Automotive, engineering, graphic design, logistics and hospitality.

There is one major university campus located within the region, the University of Western Sydney Campbelltown Campus, Macarthur. This Campus offers a number of courses including, business, health science, law, medicine and teaching courses.

SPECIAL EDUCATION The Lomandra School (40 students) is located within the district catchment and caters for children 10 to 15 years of age with behavioural disabilities. There are four additional schools for people with a disability located within the region. The following outlines the location, number of students and programs offered at these schools:

. Key College, Macquarie Fields – EDEN: provides education for young people (eight to 10 years old) who are disengaged or at risk of being disengaged from mainstream education. There were a total of 18 children enrolled at 2010.

. Ajuga SSP, Glenfield: provides an integration program for 42 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 who have severe emotional disturbance.

. Glenfield Park School: caters for 48 students from Kindergarten to Year 10 who is diagnosed with an emotional disturbance and a mild intellectual disorder. Students come from schools throughout the south west Sydney region.

. Campbell House School, Glenfield: is a special high school servicing the learning and welfare needs of approximately 49 high school aged students. The school provides teaching for students who have an emotional, behavioural or conduct disorder and normal cognitive ability.

6.3.3 MEDICAL SERVICES GENERAL PRACTITONERS AND MEDICAL CENTRES There are eight general practitioners (GP), and three community medical centres in the surrounding district. These facilities are located within the surrounding suburbs of Denham Court, Ingleburn, Minto, Raby and St Andrews. There are a further three medical centres and GP facilities within the wider region, including those in Austral, Hoxton Park and Campbelltown. These facilities include community health, specialist centres, pathologists and physicians.

The West Hoxton Medical Centre is currently the closest health facility to the East Leppington Precinct. Consultation undertaken with this medical centre identifies that the centre provides bulk billing, general practitioners, podiatry and pathology services. It was noted that the practice currently has significant capacity to take on new patients.

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HOSPITALS There are four major hospitals in the region, they include the three public hospitals of Campbelltown, Camden, and Liverpool Hospitals, and the Campbelltown Private Hospital.

The Campbelltown Hospital and the Camden Hospital operate under a common executive management structure and have networked services. They provide a diverse range of services including intensive care, cardiology, maternity, gynaecology, paediatrics, palliative care, respiratory and stroke medicine, surgery and emergency medicine and broad aged care services. The hospitals cover the community of the Macarthur region, including residents of Wollondilly, Camden and Campbelltown LGAs.

Liverpool Hospital is a tertiary referral hospital for the south west region. This hospital provides medical, surgical, emergency medicine, intensive care, oncology, mental health, women’s health and newborn care services. It is also a major trauma centre within NSW. The hospital is currently undergoing a $390 million dollar redevelopment, including new clinical services. Once completed, the new development will have capacity for 855 beds, 23 operating rooms and 60 intensive care beds.

There is one private hospital located within the region, the Campbelltown Private Hospital, which adjoins the Campbelltown Public Hospital and opened in 2007. This hospital has 92 beds, six operating theatres and a 34 rehabilitation unit and 26 bed dedicated mental health unit. The hospital also has a Day Surgery Unit as well as an eight bed High Dependency Unit.

6.3.4 COMMUNITY CENTRES AND SERVICES COMMUNITY CENTRES AND HALLS Figure 10 in Appendix E presents the location of community services and facilities in the surrounding area.

There are currently approximately nine community centres and halls in the surrounding district. Approximately four of these are operated by community groups, while the others are operated by private companies, or other operators providing hall rental for community groups. These include the Outer Liverpool Community Services, Catherine Hill Community Hall, the Rossmore Public School Hall and Greenway Park Community Centre. Other community halls and rooms are located within Country Clubs, RSLs and Golf Courses within the district catchment.

The Outer Liverpool Community Services Centre is located at Craik Park and provides a range of services. The centre is currently developing a men’s shed to provide services to working and retired males in the area.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that existing community centres in the area in need of upgrading and have poor facilities. There are no high quality community spaces or facilities with computer access or training. People requiring these advanced services are accommodated by service provision in Liverpool or Campbelltown.

Community centres act as a community hub, improve social integration, reduce isolation and provide a range of social services which can lead to improved health and wellbeing for the local population.

COMMUNITY SERVICES There are approximately eight community based groups, and five family service groups currently operating within the surrounding district, and a further 19 groups and services operating in the wider region.

The Junction Works Pty Ltd is located closest to the East Leppington Precinct in the suburb of Austral, and currently operates from three temporary portacabins at this site. The service is a not-for-profit community organisation, and recognised as one of the largest community based organisations in the area. There are a total of 22 services provided by the Junction Works including; community participation, transition to work and day programs for people with disability, counselling, drug and alcohol support, domestic violence support and childcare. The service has plans for expansion in the area to support the potential growth in the local population.

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Other community and family based services within the district are run by St Vincent de Paul, the Salvation Army and UnitingCare. An audit of community based organisation and groups was also undertaken. Some of those located within the district include:

. Rotary Club of Narellan, Catherine Field – providing local community service and leadership.

. Catherine Field Progress Association, Catherine Field – meeting of local residents to discuss and act upon issues within the community.

. Organic Growers Association of NSW, Leppington – monthly meetings of residents to learn about different health topics and share food.

Those community groups located within the region include:

. Rotary Club of Ingleburn, Ingleburn – providing local community service and leadership.

. Probus Club of Liverpool City – social club for retired professionals and business people.

. Casula Seniors – Lurnea Neighbourhood Centre – a group for seniors to undertake activities.

. Ingleburn View Club – Women’s club that undertakes fund raising, support for the Smith Family and activities.

6.3.5 LIBRARIES There is currently one library in the surrounding district, and a further three libraries within the wider regional catchment, all of which are managed by Campbelltown City Council. These are located at Ingleburn, Minto, Glenquarie and Eagle Vale. The services provided within the libraries include; children’s library services, youth pages, aged and disability services, multicultural services, technology centres, book clubs and free wi-fi.

The Ingleburn branch library is a new, large facility, which has sufficient capacity to accommodate additional demand. Anecdotal evidence from consultation suggests that additional library facilities as part of the development may be unnecessary.

6.3.6 AGED CARE SERVICES AND FACILITIES Figure 11 in Appendix E presents the location of residential aged care facilities in the surrounding area.

There are currently four aged care accommodation facilities within the district catchment. The following provides an overview of the location and offering of these facilities.

. Scalabrini Village, Austral – provides 24 hour care including a nursing home, hostel, and one and two bedroom self-care villas

. Tobruk (formerly the Kantarra Lifestyle Resort, Austral) – 120 lifestyle homes

. Blue Hills Village, Prestons – providing 122 accommodation units, including independent living units, low care, high care and community care packages

. Pembroke Lodge, Minto – an aged care hostel providing 82 low care and 26 high care packages

There is also an aged care service providing day care and activities operated by the Myrtle Cottage Group in Ingleburn. This is a community based organisation providing activities for people who are frail aged, younger people with disabilities, and respite care for people with dementia.

There are a further 16 aged care accommodation and service facilities within the wider region. The following provides an overview of the location and offering of these facilities.

. The Whiddon Group Easton Park, Glenfield – 27 two bedroom Independent Living Units (ILUs)

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. Aveo Maple Grove – 111 dwellings ILUs and villas

. BCS Campbelltown Neighbour Aid, Harrington Park – HACC funded assistance to frail, elderly and people with disability and their carers providing companionship visits, advocacy and phone communication etc

. Home Care Services of NSW, Campbelltown – domestic assistance, personal care and in-home respite provided to frail older people, younger people with disability and their carers to assist them to live independently in the community

. Macarthur Community Options, Campbelltown – a case management service for the younger frail aged people and their careers

. City of Campbelltown Meals on Wheels Service and Housebound Resource Service Inc, Campbelltown – provision of meals to frail aged and younger disabled housebound clients and carers. Meals delivered five days per week. Housebound shopping service, housebound library and visiting service

. Campbelltown Multicultural Aged Care Day Service, Campbelltown – day care for multicultural aged, frail and isolated people in the Macarthur region

. Warrumbucca Home Care, Campbelltown – provides care and services for people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background who is frail aged or younger people with disability

. Aboriginal HACC Access Program – equipment loan service for personal care, respiratory care and mobility care

. Northcott Respite for Older Carers, South West Sydney, Campbelltown – respite for older parent carers provides a broad range of high quality flexible support services tailored to meet the needs of older carers and their child with disability

. Just Better Care Macarthur, Campbelltown – nursing and Community Care service provision for individuals in their homes or in a care facility

. Macarthur Gateway RSL Day Club – day club for the frail and elderly in the Campbelltown area

. Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), Macarthur Branch, Camden – care and referral, assessment support services, assessment for residential care in hostel or nursing home

. Macarthur Dementia Care and Support Service, Camden – HACC funded program to assist older people and people who have disabilities to be able to remain in their homes for as long as possible.

Anecdotal information suggests that the district is currently lacking in aged care accommodation providing high and low care packages, with the only existing facility known to be at capacity (Scalabrini Village Ltd). It is understood that a number of service providers are considering provision of additional aged care accommodation in the area, including high and low care and ILU’s in Austral.

Existing aged care services in the area are known to have capacity, however funding is a key issue and would restrict the ability of the service to respond to increases in demand from a growing population.

Access to services and transport throughout the district is identified as a key issue and is particularly restrictive for aged residents. The South West Community Transport service currently provides transport for the frail aged and younger people with disability. The service covers the area from Wollondilly to Fairfield and currently serves approximately 8,000 clients.

6.3.7 OTHER SERVICES EMERGENCY SERVICES Figure 13 in Appendix E presents the location of existing emergency services facilities in the region.

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There are currently two police stations, and one fire station within the surrounding district. Police stations are located at Eagle Vale and Ingleburn. The fire station is located in the suburb of St Andrews.

In the wider region there is one fire service, and State Emergency Service (SES) centre located in Minto, one police station and one ambulance station located in Macquarie Fields.

PLACES OF WORSHIP There are a total of eight churches representing a range of denominations throughout the district. These include the Jehovah’s Witnesses Hall, Catherine Field; the Samoan Methodist Church, Leppington; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Varroville; Bible Baptist Church, Prestons; Jehovah’s Witnesses Hall, Ingleburn; Catholic Church Varroville; the Reformed Church of Liverpool; and the Good Shepherd Church, Hoxton Park.

SHOPPING CENTRES AND SUPERMARKETS There are currently no shopping centres or supermarkets located within the East Leppington Precinct. There are a number of Coles, Woolworths and independent supermarkets within the district catchment, predominately located on the east side of the Hume Highway.

The following outlines the local level shopping centres located within the district catchment from the East Leppington Precinct. These shopping centres offer predominately local supermarkets, convenience stores, clothing and footwear stores, banks, an Australia Post shop, hairdresser, chemists, cafes and restaurants, bookstores, electronic stores, greengrocers, butcher and fish shops.

Minto Mall Shopping Centre Glenquarie Town Centre

Miller Shopping Centre Harrington Plaza

Casula Central Mount Annan Marketplace

The Valley Plaza, Green Valley Carnes Hill Marketplace

The Narellan Town Centre

There are three major shopping centres within the region. The following provides the location and a brief description of services provided in each shopping centre.

. Macarthur Square Shopping Centre, Campbelltown – approximately 12 kilometres south of the East Leppington Precinct this shopping centre includes: Big W, Coles, David Jones, Target, Woolworths, Event Cinema, Dan Murphy, Dick Smith and AMF Bowling.

. Campbelltown Mall, Campbelltown – approximately 10 kilometres south of the East Leppington Precinct this shopping centre includes: Best and Less, Coles, Dick Smith, Franklines, Go Lo, K mart, Target and Woolworths.

. Liverpool Westfield, Liverpool – approximately 12 kilometres north east of the East Leppington Precinct this shopping centre includes: Best and Less, Big W, Coles, Dick Smith, Event Cinema, J B Hi-Fi, Myer, Target and Woolworths.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT Figure 14 in Appendix E presents the existing transport infrastructure in the region.

The East Leppington Precinct is located east of the major arterial road of Camden Valley Way. Camden Valley Way connects East Leppington to Narellan, Camden and Campbelltown to the south and Liverpool to the north. In addition it provides access to the M7 Motorway connecting to Sydney’s western suburbs and the M5 Motorway to Sydney airport and the CBD.

Currently, Interline Bus Services provide two bus routes that travel along Camden Valley Way for residents in Leppington. It is acknowledged that additional services would be need as the East Leppington Precinct develops. The two bus routes are:

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. 857: Narellan to Liverpool and Liverpool to Narellan

. 856: Bringelly to Liverpool and Liverpool to Bringelly.

The proposed Leppington railway station on the South West rail line will be a twin track passenger line from Glenfield to Leppington, with new stations at Edmondson Park and Leppington. A train stabling facility will be located at Rossmore and a bus/rail interchange located at Glenfield. The proposed completion time is 2016.

6.4 OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION FACILITIES

6.4.1 PASSIVE OPEN SPACE The following sections present a review of the existing provision of open space and recreation facilities in the three LGAs of Campbelltown, Camden and Liverpool. This review has been based on a range of sources, including consultation with key stakeholders.

Figure 15 in Appendix E presents the location of open space and recreation facilities identified. This includes both passive and active open space areas.

CAMPBELLTOWN LGA Campbelltown LGA has large volume of open space and recreation areas. Of the 29 areas of open space identified within the district (5km radius) 19 were located within the Campbelltown LGA, with significant clusters of open space in the suburbs of Raby and St Andrews, to the south of the site.

The suburb of Raby to the south of the site has significant open space assets including the Raby Sports Complex and Sutherland Park recreation area, which provides a range of sporting and recreational facilities and has recently undergone a $1.2 million upgrade to improve cricket and hockey facilities. Also the Burrendah and Kooringa Reserves, the former of which is currently being considered for access and environmental improvements.

There are a number of open space assets in suburbs to the east of the site including Ingleburn, Macquarie Fields and Glenfield. These include the significant open space assets of Georges River Nature Reserve and Simmos Beach Recreation Reserve on the banks of the Georges River. There are also Milton Park and Bob Prenter Reserve in Macquarie Fields, the former of which has recently undergone a $120,000 upgrade to sporting facilities.

It is anticipated that access from the site to open space assets in the east, in particular assets within the suburbs of Ingleburn, Macquarie Fields and Glenfield, is limited due to the presence of Hume Highway and the Southern Line railway.

In 2010, Urbis Social Policy conducted a quantitative analysis of Council, and non-Council open space within Campbelltown LGA. A summary of the key points identified by the analysis is presented below.

. The total amount of Council and non-Council open space in Campbelltown LGA is approximately 26,540 hectares (ha)

. A total of 17,645ha (66.5%) of open space has a high or medium biodiversity value

. A total of 4,677ha (17.6%) of open space accommodated endangered ecological communities (EECs)

. Only 1,748ha (6.6%) of the total open space supply in the LGA is Council owned, publicly accessible land

. The ratio between Council owned open space and local population equates to 12.2 ha per 1,000 population, based on 2006 Census population estimates

. The ratio between Council owned open space and local population is forecast to reduce to 8.90 ha per 1,000 by 2031 due to population increase over this period

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. Council owned open space within the LGA is made up of 34% (589 ha) bushland, 25% (437 ha) active sportsgrounds, 4.3% (75 ha) pocket parks, and 0.2% (3 ha) regional parks. The remaining 36% is unclassified.

This suggests that the majority of open space areas within the LGA are not within Council ownership (94%). The report concludes that existing open space provision is adequate for current population levels, and to meet the needs of future generations as a result of rezoning in the areas of Ambarvale and Rosemeadow. However, it is anticipated that certain open space resources are currently overused, with alternative resources underused. The report recommends that open space rationalisation, facility co- location or complementary uses which would assist in delivering improved appropriateness and quality of provision for residents is considered.

The report also states that Campbelltown Council has identified open space as generally having poor urban design, resulting in lack of integration, access and surveillance of open spaces adjoining residential areas. Council also suggested that there is a surplus of open space, which is lacking in complementary uses, including general amenities, resulting in underutilisation.

A key aim identified by Council is to ensure that future development considers the integration of open space and the addresses the public/private interface to ensure open space can be accessed, is safe, and integrates into the urban fabric.

CAMDEN LGA Accessible open space in the vicinity of the site within Camden LGA is limited. The nearest open space asset to the site within Camden LGA is the Pat Kontista Reserve, which includes a sports oval, the Leppington Tennis centre, and associated facilities.

The Camden Lakeside Country Club and Camden Valley Golf Resort are located a short distance to the south of the site. All golfing activities at the Camden Valley Golf Resort closed on August 2011 due to the expansion of the residential development at Camden Valley. The Camden Lakeside Country Club is expected to increase golfing activities as a result of this closure.

In May 2003, Camden Council adopted its Natural Assets Policy. The policy aims to provide guidance for the development of land which may impact on natural assets. Key points regarding open space in the Camden LGA include:

. Open space in Camden consists mainly of sports grounds, parks, and bushland containing endangered ecological communities and crown land

. The total area of open space in the Camden LGA is 567.8 ha

. The ratio between open space and local population equates to 11.25ha per 1,000 people

. A key open space resource within the LGA is the Harrington Park Lake Drainage Reserve (17 ha)

. The accessibility of open space is a key issue in the Camden LGA.

LIVERPOOL LGA There are over 250 parks, including green open spaces, picnic areas, walkways, cycle ways, sporting equipment and sporting fields in the Liverpool LGA.

In the vicinity of the site is the WV Scott Memorial Park, and Craik Park in the suburb of Austral, both of which have sports pitches, playground equipment and amenities buildings.

The suburb of Horningsea Park to the north east of the site includes the open space areas of Bedwell and Greenway Park. Greenway Park is a large area of open space which includes a lake and bushland area, sporting fields and associated amenity buildings. The Park extends along a riparian corridor and surrounds a residential area. Bedwell Park includes a lake and walking tracks.

Rossmore Park, to the north west of the site, includes horse riding stables and a riding track.

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The LGA also has access to two major rivers, the Georges River, and the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, providing opportunities for both formal and informal recreation activities.

In the north of the LGA lies the Western Sydney Regional Park. The park covers 5,280 ha and stretches 27 km from Quakers Hill to Leppington. The park contains a range of facilities including sporting facilities, picnic areas, walkways, and cycleway.

The Liverpool City Wide Recreation Strategy 2020, produced in 2003, aims to direct the development of public recreation infrastructure to meet the existing and future needs of the community. The strategy provides a summary of the supply of open space and recreation facilities in the Liverpool LGA. Key points from the report include:

. Total provision of open space in the Liverpool LGA is 1,926 ha, of which 1,034 ha is non-regional open space

. The ratio between open space and local population equates to 17 ha per 1,000 people, based on 2001 census data. Excluding regional open space, provision ratios decrease to 6.68 ha per 1,000 people.

. Approximately 56% of the total open space in the LGA is located in the Western and Release neighbourhoods which house 36% of the population

. While the LGA has a large number of open space area, it is anticipated that 46% of parks in the LGA are undeveloped, ie have no embellishments. The level of facility provision may be below the level of provision required

. There are also large areas of open space, including drainage corridors, which are underused by the community and largely unsuitable for recreation. Only a small proportion of the total open space in the area is used for recreation, the remainder is left as open space to be maintained by the council.

. Large parks (greater than 5 ha in size) comprise 87% of all open space in Liverpool. Medium parks (0.5 to 5 ha) comprise 12% of open space, with small parks (0.5 ha) comprising 2% of Liverpool’s open space.

. Regional open space within Liverpool LGA includes Chipping Norton Lakes, Hammondville Park, Woodward Park/Hiller Oval, Leacock Regional Park (34ha),Western Sydney Regional Park, Bents Basin State Recreation Area (43 ha), and Gulguer Nature Reserve (219 ha).

6.4.2 OPEN SPACE PROVISION RATIOS Table 7 below presents the existing provision of open space against the total population based on 2006 Census data. This suggests that the combined areas of Campbelltown, Camden and Liverpool have a provision ratio of 9.99 ha per 1,000 people.

TABLE 7 – EXISTING PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE

OPEN SPACE (HA) POPULATION 2006 PROVISION RATIO

Campbelltown LGA 2,015 147,661 12.2ha / 1,000

Camden LGA 567 49,645 11.25ha / 1,000

Liverpool LGA 1,034 164,603 6.3ha/ 1,000

Total 3,616 361,809 9.99ha/1,000

The Growth Centre Commission recommends an open space ratio of 2.83 ha per 1,000 people. When this threshold is applied to the predicted population of 10,150 people for the precinct, a total of 28.7 hectares of open space would be required.

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In comparison the Camden Open Space Strategy suggests application of a provision ratio of 3.64 ha per 1,000 people for new release areas. However this ratio is based on the provision of 3.2 people per dwelling. Application of this threshold to the proposed development at East Leppington would result in a total population estimate of 11,200 people, and provision of 40.7 ha of open space.

Due to the provision of a range of dwelling types, including three bedroom houses, and the anticipated average household size of 2.9 per dwelling, it is suggested that the growth centres benchmark presents the most appropriate provision ratio benchmark.

6.5 ACTIVE OPEN SPACE/ SPORTS AND RECREATION FACILITIES There are over 150 sports fields in Campbelltown, 50 in Liverpool and 18 in Camden. These facilities include soccer and football fields, cricket ovals, tennis courts, baseball fields, rugby pitches, basketball and netball courts, athletics tracks, hockey pitches, and skate parks. There are no indoor sports facilities within the surrounding district and the nearest aquatic centre located at Macquarie Fields Swimming Centre.

The following sections identify existing service provision, and key issues, associated with a range of active open space facilities.

6.5.1 CRICKET OVAL There are several cricket ovals in the surrounding district. The nearest oval to the site is located at the Pat Kontista Reserve, which includes a single cricket pitch and associated amenities building. This is a shared facility which is also used for soccer matches.

In the wider area there is significant provision of cricket ovals including at the WV Scott Memorial Park, the Mount Saint Quentin Oval to the north, and numerous facilities in the suburbs of Macquarie Fields, Ingleburn, St Andrews and Raby to the east and south of the development site.

National trends suggest that participation rates are lower than for many other sports and that local provision currently exceeds demand. Factors affecting participation rates for cricket include a transition to shorter forms of active sports such as soccer and tennis.

It is anticipated that participation will remain stable in the future, and that natural growth in the area may increase demand for local services.

6.5.2 HOCKEY The Raby Sports Complex currently provides approximately nine hockey pitches and associated amenities. It is anticipated that increased demand for participation in hockey, would be accommodated by existing facilities.

6.5.3 RUGBY LEAGUE AND UNION There are many rugby league or union playing fields within the surrounding district, they include facilities at Greenway Park, Craik Park, Eschol Park Sports Complex, Memorial Oval, Clarke Reserve, and Milton Park Sports Complex.

The Liverpool LGA recreation strategy suggests that participation rates in the area follow a national trend of lower participation rates compared to other sports, with less than 1 precent participation amongst adults. In addition the sport has a declining appeal and does not attract female, or youth players. While demand may increase in the future it is anticipated that this will not increase at the same rate as for other sports.

The Camden Recreation Strategy suggests that there is an existing oversupply of large sporting field reserves for rugby.

Anecdotal information from existing Rugby Clubs in the area suggests that the proposed development may have a positive impact by increasing participation in the sport locally, and additional demand could be accommodated by existing facilities.

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In addition is it suggested that existing facilities are of good quality and accessible.

6.5.4 NETBALL AND BASKETBALL There are several netball or basketball courts within the surrounding district. Facilities are available at Milton Park Sports Complex and Greenway Park. National trends suggest that court sports, such as netball and basketball, are increasingly popular with adults and children due to trends towards more time efficient and flexible sports.

Netball is one of the most popular sports nationally with 2percent of adults (aged 18-24 years) and 9 precent of children participating. While this remains popular among women and young girls there is also growing participation by males.

It is expected that participation rates will continue increase and result in the requirement for additional facilities. It is anticipated that additional facilities would be best accommodated by public and private high schools in the area.

6.5.5 SOCCER There are many soccer fields in the surrounding district. The nearest soccer pitch to the site is the Pat Kontista Reserve to the west, which is a multi-use facility for soccer and cricket. The facility has recently been upgraded with improved lighting. It is understood that there is currently capacity for increased participation at the facility, however participation in the future may be limited in the summer months due to the cricket season.

The nearest major facility is the Kooringa Reserve in Raby to the south of the site. This provides approximately five soccer fields, including associated amenity buildings and a large car park.

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the region. National trends suggest 1 precent of adults and 11 precent of children play soccer with increasing female participation. Key issues relating to soccer facilities in the region include the limited supply of facilities in new release areas, the requirement for better maintenance and upgrading of existing fields, and improved security and lighting. It is anticipated that as the sport continues to grow there will be increased demand for facilities in the region.

6.5.6 TENNIS There are approximately six tennis facilities within the surrounding district. The nearest facility to the site is the Pat Kontista Reserve which currently provides a single tennis court, however it is understood that this is in need of upgrading. In the wider district there are approximately seven tennis courts and associated facilities at Macquarie Road Reserve and Milton Park.

Nationally tennis is the third most popular participation sport for adults. The sport is also attractive as a school sport due to its non-contact nature.

There is an existing shortage of tennis courts in the local area, while it is anticipated that tennis courts in the wider district are currently underused and require maintenance and upgrade. A number of facilities are understood to require improvements to lighting and surfaces to enable flexible and efficient play throughout the year.

It is suggested that provision of tennis courts as part of a complex of four courts enables efficient management and encourages participation and competition.

6.5.7 EQUESTRIAN There are approximately three equestrian centres in the district. The nearest facilities to the development site are the Minto Showground (also known as Victoria Park) and the Ingleburn Pony Club which is located near the Macquarie Road Nature Reserve. Also Rossmore Park to the north west of the site, which includes a trekking track and associated stable facilities.

The provision of equestrian facilities relates to the semi-rural character of the existing area, and provides recreation activities which are accessible to various types of users.

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6.5.8 ATHLETICS There are four athletics facilities in the district. These include facilities at Eschol Park Sports Complex, Macquarie Fields, Ash Road Sporting Complex and Craik Park. Facilities include running tracks and other track and field activities.

It is anticipated that existing athletics facilities in the wider area satisfy existing levels of demand. However demand is likely to increase in the future and as a result of the proposed development. It is anticipated that there is a need for a designated athletics space or suitably adapted multi-use facility.

6.5.9 SWIMMING There is currently one swimming pool in the district surrounding the site, this is located at Macquarie Fields Swimming Centre, to the east of the site. The centre features an eight lane, indoor, 25 metre lap pool, as well as a learner and toddler pool, also an eight lane, Olympic sized, outdoor lap pool and leisure and toddler pools.

Nationally swimming is the most popular participation sport with approximately 45 precent of adults participating. It is also widely promoted by schools as part of their regular curriculum. Swimming is also popular with older residents who are more likely to be casual swimmers.

It is anticipated that swimming will remain a popular activity in the future and that demand for swimming facilities will increase as the population increases. Population growth will result in the requirement for additional facilities in the district in the future.

6.5.10 BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL There are two baseball facilities in the surrounding district. Milton Park to the east of the site provides approximately five baseball diamonds. Baseball is a popular sport, especially with schools, and is likely to remain popular in the near future.

6.5.11 GOLF There are four golf courses in the surrounding district. Courses include the Camden Lakeside Country Club, Macarthur Grange Golf Course, Macquarie Links International Golf Club, and the Tree Valley Golf Course.

It is anticipated that the district and wider region is adequately supplied with golf courses, with many users coming from outside the area to access facilities. Golf is an extremely popular sport among adults with approximately 4 precent of adults nationally participating.

6.5.12 INDOOR SPORTS CENTRES The existing provision of indoor sports facilities in the surrounding district is limited. The largest indoor sports facility in the surrounding area is the Minto Indoor Sports Centre, which is a multi-purpose venue primarily used as basketball courts but also providing space for martial arts, table tennis, volleyball, futsal and roller-skating.

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