A draft masterplan for Westmead South could deliver thousands of new homes, but residents are concerned it will ruin the close-knit community.
A planning proposal for 6,600 new homes near the train station and future Westmead Metro Station intends to turn Westmead South into “one of the best connected places in Sydney”.
But some locals believe it will have a negative impact on the community they love.
At the latest Extraordinary Cumberland Local Planning Panel, over 20 residents spoke out against the proposal, including local Nalinie Aiyelana.
“The current Council proposal will create an increase of traffic, congestion, pollution in the small Westmead South residential area,” she said.
Safa Majidi, a Westmead South resident of 13 years, fears the extraordinary level of community cohesion will be impacted by the proposed increase in housing density.
“This unique character will be significantly impacted by the plan to increase medium and high-density housing,” she said.
“We know that high density developments often lead to a loss of neighbourhood identity, which can negatively impact the residents’ sense of belonging and wellbeing, and compromise quality of life.”
The masterplanned area sits on the south side of the Railway Corridor, bound by Alexandra Avenue to the north, Bridge Road to the west, Great Western Highway to the south, and Good Street/Mays Hill Precinct to the east.
According to Cumberland Council papers, significant investment into public transport and the transformation of Westmead into a major health, education and innovation precinct, provides “impetus for renewal” within Westmead South.
Under the proposal, residential buildings would range from eight to 25-storeys, with the maximum building height to be concentrated close to public transport stations. It will see a large part of the suburb re-zoned to high and medium density residential.
A corridor planned along Hawkesbury Road would link the two key activity nodes at the future Westmead Metro Station and the Oakes Centre – turning the car-dominant thoroughfare into a ‘high street’ that prioritises active transport.
Community facilities and new open spaces are planned, including two new civic plazas on the Metro Station site and in front of the Oakes Centre. Open space at a minimum size of 3,000sqm will also be provided along Alexandra Avenue together with a commuter car park.
A Heritage Conservation Area has also been recommended to be established bound by Toohey Avenue, Gowrie Crescent, MJ Bennet Reserve, the south side of Nolan Crescent, Hawkesbury Road and Austral Avenue.
Peter Alvarez, who spoke on behalf of two residents, warned the draft proposal in its current form would have a significant effect on Westmead South.
“The Westmead South of today will be very different to the Westmead South of the future,” he said.
“So what you are in fact planning is a city, not a suburb.”
19-year-old Bhumika Chauhan spoke about how the Westmead South provide friendship to people who feel lonely, particularly migrant families.
She worries this could be lost.
“As migrant families, we experience isolation, awkwardness and confusion when we come to this country. We long for community,” she said.
“If our homes were to be replaced by multi-storey buildings, I worry that the existing community will struggle to thrive and social cohesion will deteriorate.”
Following the meeting, the Cumberland Local Planning Panel confirmed they endorsed the proposal.
This means it will now be recommended to Council that the Westmead South Planning Proposal be forwarded to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for a Gateway Determination.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.