Norwest Triple Towers Make Slow Progress

Merc Capital’s plans to build triple towers in Sydney’s Hills District have finally cleared a hurdle.

The plans for Central Plaza were first filed in 2019 for a site next to Norwest Station, comprising three towers up to 40 storeys with 432 apartments and office space.

PBD Architects designed the project for the 1.6ha block at 34-46 Brookhollow Avenue, Norwest in The Hills Shire Council region.

It had been to the local planning panel for advice four times and was subsequently revised to create a high density commercial development with “supplementary residential uses”.

Each time the residential component was reduced; from 224 apartments to 107 and finally 91 apartments across the buildings of 4 to 23 storeys, while4500sq m of public open space are included in the most recent plans.

The commercial area had remained around 50,000 sq m before concerns were “meaningfully addressed” and the area reduced changed to 38,304 square metres.

The proposal was then put forward for Gateway Determination and referred to the NSW Independent Planning Commission, which finalised its recommedation this month.

▲ A render of the current proposal by PBD Architects.

Local Planning and Council Support executive director Tom Kearney acted as a delegate of the NSW planning and public spaces minister.

“I have determined that the planning proposal should proceed subject to the conditions in the enclosed gateway determination,” Kearney said.

“This includes the removal of the proposed residential uses for the site which the department has found to be inconsistent with the strategic context.”

The council has a Draft Norwest Precinct Plan that indicates the site would best suit employment uses.

“Should council wish to encourage increased residential outcomes in the Norwest precinct, this should be considered holistically in finalising the draft precinct plan,” Kearney said.

“I have determined not to authorise council to be the local plan-making authority as the planning proposal involves both local and state issues.”

The proposed local environment plan is expected to be finalised by February 21 next year. If this is not the case, the state government may step in.

Nearby at Norwest Marketown, Mulpha gained approval on a bigger project with 854 apartments, 200 hotel rooms, 117,330sq m of retail and commercial space and a park.

This project was first filed in 2017.