Sydney’s south west will welcome a new suburb as the NSW government gives its approval for a new masterplanned community in Wilton, located about 80 kilometres’ south west of Sydney’s CBD.
The government announced a decision to rezone Wilton’s south east precinct on Friday.
The Department of Planning and Environment deputy secretary, planning and design, Brendan Nelson said the 20-year plan for south east Wilton will create a new suburb around a village centre with a potential new primary school and community facilities in the southern part of the proposed Wilton New Town.
“Wilton was declared a growth area in 2016 we are ensuring we create a place that offers future residents a great quality of life in this scenic but strategic location,” Nelson said.
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The Wollondilly Shire Council has criticised the decision as “grossly premature”. In a statement the council said it has concerns with the lack of an adequate infrastructure and a number of other planning matters yet to be resolved.
The council is frustrated that the NSW government’s 20-year State Infrastructure Strategy released last month failed to identify a public transport solution to Wilton New Town. It is also concerned about land availability for a hospital and how local employment will be generated.
“This decision is very disappointing and will consign Wilton to a future as a dormitory, car-dependant satellite suburb of Sydney reliant upon employment opportunities outside the Shire for many years,” Woolloondilly Mayor Judith Hannan said.
The department says it has worked closely with the landowner Walker Corporation, Wollondilly Shire Council, Transport for NSW and other state agencies to ensure the new community is supported by essential infrastructure and now rezoning can occur and homes in the new suburb can be built.
The green light for the new suburb comes as a new report revealed that Sydney’s residential land prices have fallen for the first time in two years.
The South East Wilton plan will provide 3,600 new homes for 9,600 future residents and 1,900 new local and construction jobs.
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The Department of Planning and Environment said infrastructure will be provided at no cost to government.
“A Voluntary Planning agreement with the Walker Corporation for the precinct provides certainty that funding for essential infrastructure will be provided at the same time as homes are constructed,” the department said in a statement.
“A special infrastructure contribution is also being prepared to ensure all key infrastructure is funded by developers.”
