South West Local Area Plan APRIL 2016 South West Local Area Plan Content A Vision for the Future 5 Chapter 1 GROWTH...CHANGE...FUTURE 1 1.1 Introduction 10 1.2 About the Local Area Plan 11 1.3 Centres Hierarcy 13 3 1.4 The Locality 16 Local Area Plan South West 1.5 Historical Context 22 1.6 Population and Demographic Change 23 1.7 Metropolitan Planning Context 24 1.8 Community Issues 26 Chapter 2 LOCAL AREA ACTIONS 2 2.1 Liveable 30 2.2 Invest 90 2.3 Green 95 2.4 Connected 107 Chapter 3 OVERVIEW AND IMPLEMENTATION 3 3.1 Overview and Implementation 114 3.2 Statutory Planning Framework 117 3.3 Assets and Infrastructure 124 Centres and neighbourhoods The intended outcomes of the never stay the same. The South proposed amendments to the West Local Area of the 1960s South West Local Area Plan was very different to today. It will are to balance these different also be very different in 2031. expectations and to respond to future challenges. It is important The decision we must face is to note that the South West whether we want to manage Local Area Plan is more than a this change to create a liveable, housing plan, it includes various green place or whether we allow actions to make our suburbs change to occur in an ad hoc liveable, employment generating, 4 unplanned manner. South West Local Area Plan South West green and connected for the Council has amended the future. South West Local Area Plan in response to consultation with the community, industry, state agencies and key stakeholders. The submissions varied from some requesting more development and others requesting less. It is not possible to meet both of these expectations at the same time. A Vision for the Future This Local Area Plan sets out the • The Panania Small Village human scale, order, comfort and vision for the South West Local Centre will continue to enjoyment for people walking in Area: a place for people, a place function as a successful and the neighbourhood centre. The which maintains the qualities and bustling convenience centre urban spaces and street trees will places that we value, a place which built around a high quality and create a ‘sense of place’ for the encourages jobs and sustainable central community space. neighbourhood centre. urban renewal, a place with The commercial core will create • The Suburban Neighbourhood emphasis on urban design and an active, urban experience Precinct will maintain the connectivity. with a combination of business prevailing character of low- This Local Area Plan establishes and community facilities that rise detached housing in a the vision through the strategic will capitalise on the residents, landscaped setting. New planning process in consultation visitors and commuters low–rise housing will be 5 with the community, industry, passing through daily. The well designed and will make Local Area Plan South West state agencies and key stakeholders. people focussed streets will a positive contribution to Understanding the context during be an invitation to explore protecting the prevailing this process is crucial to inform the commercial core and suburban character, as well as change and to establish the desired provide a place for community the heritage and biodiversity look and feel of the local area. interaction. Medium and values unique to the local area medium–high rise buildings such as the Georges River and This Local Area Plan informs at appropriate locations will the scenic foreshore area and changes to the statutory planning create a sense of enclosure, bushland. framework and infrastructure human scale, order, comfort priorities. It also provides an The precinct will offer a wide and enjoyment for people important source of analysis and range of recreation and leisure walking in the commercial information in the assessment of opportunities for residents core. Leafy streets will connect planning proposals, pre–gateway and visitors to walk, cycle and people to the low–rise liveable reviews and development exercise. Non–residential neighbourhoods and provide a applications, and by 2031, we will development will be limited to platform from which to journey see a South West Local Area that land uses that are compatible into the centre. boasts four distinctive precincts with the scale and unique to support a diverse and healthy • The East Hills Neighbourhood characteristics of the precinct. community. They are: Centre will continue to • The University Precinct will function as a local shopping and continue to provide a place commuting precinct servicing for tertiary education activities the day–to–day needs of for the City of Bankstown and residents with excellent access Sydney Metropolitan Region. to high quality open space and The precinct will also continue the Georges River. to provide opportunities for Active street frontages at the higher order jobs in the City. Maclaurin Avenue shops will create a vibrant streetscape. The local streets will be a tranquil place where cars travel slowly, making it easier to cross the street and creating a pleasant place to walk, sit and talk. Low–rise buildings will create a sense of enclosure, South West Local Area Plan 6 Top Ten Priority Actions 7 South West Local Area Plan South West South West Local Area Plan 8 Chapter One Growth...Change...Future 9 1 Local Area Plan South West 1.1 Introduction Council’s desired outcomes for the South West Local Area The South West Local Area is are for Panania to continue to a unique and attractive place, a function as a successful and place where people value where bustling convenience centre built they live and shop, and the around a high quality and central landscapes that make them feel community space. East Hills will good. The local area is renowned provide a local shopping and for its strong sense of local commuting precinct servicing the identity, and its proximity to the day–to–day needs of residents 10 dramatic beauty of the Georges with excellent access to high River and foreshore areas. South West Local Area Plan South West quality open space and natural There is strong evidence the local areas along the Georges River. area is emerging as a place of This Local Area Plan highlights urban renewal and will experience the priority actions to achieve growth over the next 15 years. By these desired outcomes. This 2031, the local area is expected to Local Area Plan complements grow by 3,100 residents to 28,300 Council’s other Local Area residents. Plans and underpins Council’s Accommodating this growth will statutory planning framework and have its challenges and is likely infrastructure priorities. It also to necessitate change to the provides an important source of urban environment. As a ‘City analysis and information in the Maker’, Bankstown City Council assessment of planning proposals, is responding to this challenge pre–gateway reviews and by undertaking comprehensive development applications in the strategic planning to ensure the local area. local area transforms into a model of sustainable renewal whilst maintaining the qualities and places that we value. 1.2 About the This Local Area Plan sets Local Area Plan out the vision for the South REFERENCE DOCUMENTS: West Local Area to 2031, Plans and Studies used in the The City of Bankstown is and provides a detailed list development of this Local Area changing in response to of priority actions to guide Plan population growth, increased the community, planners, community expectations, market businesses, government and • Metropolitan Plan ‘A Plan for forces in housing and other developers about appropriate Growing Sydney’ (Department of construction, and environmental directions and opportunities for Planning & Environment 2014) constraints. The City of change. This Local Area Plan • Residential Development Study Bankstown is expected to grow also focuses on sustainability in (BCC, 2009) 11 by 22,000 dwellings and 6,000 the broad sense, which means Local Area Plan South West new jobs in the period 2006 to planning for change that is • Employment Lands Development 2031. To address these challenges environmentally, socially and Study (BCC, 2009) we need to plan ahead to meet economically sustainable. • South West Issues Paper the changing needs of residents, As part of the plan making (BCC, 2013) businesses, workers and visitors. process, Council consults with • Heritage Review – East Hills Rail the community, industry, state Council resolved to prepare Corridor Business Centres (Sue Local Area Plans for the seven agencies and key stakeholders. Rosen and Associates, 2011) local areas that make up the Consultation has been and City of Bankstown. These local will continue to be a key • Urban Design Study (Conybeare areas combine the suburbs and component of planning for Morrison 2014) the local area. Council also environmental catchments of • Retail and Commercial Floor Space researches current policies, distinctive physical character. Needs Analysis (Hill PDA 2014) Together the seven Local targets and best practice at Area Plans will provide a the local, state and national • Market Feasibility Analysis (SGS comprehensive strategic planning levels, and may undertake 2014) supplementary studies to approach for the City of • Transport Study (GTA 2014) Bankstown to 2031. further identify issues and possible solutions. • Centres Transport Action Plan (BCC The objectives of the Local Area 2015) Plans are to set out the vision and This Local Area Plan spatial context for the distinctive recognises there are many • Apartment Design Guide local areas, specify the best ways other initiatives that may (Department of Planning & to accommodate residential make a place more sustainable. Environment 2015) and employment growth, and Council will deliver numerous outline the delivery of supporting other actions such as service infrastructure (such as community delivery, community support facilities and open space). Linking and advocacy through the the Local Area Plans are the Bankstown Community Plan.