Carlingford residents say it’s a never ending battle, as they enter their fourth year fighting an aged care development proposed for the old bus depot site.
HB+B Property have submitted a fresh Development Application (DA) for the Watton and Murray Farm Road site, following two previous rejections from the Sydney Central City Planning Panel and a dismissed appeal in the Land and Environment Court.
The original $34 million development proposed a 132-bed, three storey facility which has now been scaled down to 110 beds, part two and part three-storeys.
Local resident Philip Baker said the development is still too oversized for the low residential community, which already struggles to cope with traffic congestion.
“This development has been refused on the basis of bulk and scale and loss of amenity to the community,” he said.
“This recalcitrant developer tries again to get approval on an over development, which changes little from the last failed application. The Council also issued the Public Notification when council elections were due, when we have no local Councillor and the Christmas Holidays are upon us.”
Residents who for years have fought hard against the plans say they are frustrated at the thought of having to start all over again, with the developers’ slate wiped clean.
A City of Parramatta spokesperson confirmed previous applications are not considered with a fresh DA.
“Any prior applications related to the site do not form part of the assessment process of a new DA,” the spokesperson said.
“However, they may be referred to during assessment to see what guidance the Sydney Central City Planning Panel or the NSW Land and Environment Court may have given the applicant in their reasons for refusal.
“Similarly, objections lodged regarding previous DAs on the site are not considered with new applications.”
As the cost of works are now less than $30 million, the Sydney Central City Planning Panel will no longer be the consent authority for the development.
If there are 10 or more unique objections, the DA will be determined by the Parramatta Local Planning Panel.
The original proposal received 45 written objections from the community.
The current DA is now open for public consultation with written submissions welcomed until January 11.
Submissions must be sent to PO Box 32, Parramatta 2124, via e-mail at council@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au or online via cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/businessdevelopment/submissions.
HB+B Property was contacted for comment, but did not respond to questions.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.