Housing is a key priority for the NSW Government. Currently, there is a shortage of diverse and affordable homes in well-located areas, close to where people live and work, and close to transport and other amenities.
Kellyville and Bella Vista have been identified as accelerated precincts under the Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Program.
The Kellyville and Bella Vista precincts, including Stanhope Gardens and Glenwood, are well-positioned to support more homes. These precincts are located next to metro stations and are within walking distance of key public transport interchanges, promoting walking and cycling opportunities. The planning and delivery of new infrastructure means the Kellyville and Bella Vista precincts can support more homes under the TOD program.
As part of the TOD program, we have reviewed the planning controls in Kellyville and Bella Vista to determine which areas of the precincts are suitable to support more homes.
The Kellyville and Bella Vista TOD rezoning proposal was available for public feedback between 9 July and 23 August 2024 on the NSW Planning Portal. Your feedback is now being reviewed and will inform the finalisation of this proposal.
Key features
Key features of the draft Kellyville and Bella Vista TOD rezoning proposal include:
- capacity for up to 20,700 additional homes within the precinct close to Kellyville and Bella Vista Metro stations
- a mandatory affordable housing contribution of between 3–8% for all new residential development in the precinct, delivering between 620–1,650 affordable homes in perpetuity, managed by a registered Community Housing Provider
- potential for new open space, pathways and cycleways within the rezoned areas.
Information sessions
During exhibition, the department hosted 9 community in-person sessions and a webinar where community members spoke to representatives from the department about the proposal and had the opportunity to ask questions to help inform submissions.
Proposed policy changes to streamline development assessment
We proposed policy changes to streamline development assessment and speed up housing delivery in the 8 TOD accelerated precincts.
The proposed reforms aim to ensure a consistent approach to both rezoning and assessment across the precincts.
An explanation of intended effect (EIE) outlining the proposed changes was on exhibition for public feedback between 9 July and 23 August 2024.
To see the EIE, please visit the NSW Planning Portal.
What happens next
We’ve worked in close consultation with The Hills Shire Council, Blacktown City Council and other government agencies to prepare this draft rezoning proposal.
Given their close proximity, the department combined the master planning and draft rezoning for the Kellyville and Bella Vista precincts. This has ensured we could consider the impacts of growth and identify infrastructure needed to support new homes in these precincts.
Your submissions will now be reviewed and analysed and taken into consideration in finalising the plan, expected in quarter 4, 2024.
What has happened
In 2013, the North West Rail Link Corridor Strategy was finalised, including Kellyville and Bella Vista. This strategy proposed a potential of 23,000 homes across both precincts.
In 2017, Kellyville and Bella Vista were rezoned to enable up to 8,400 homes to be delivered across the 2 precincts. This was primarily due to concerns there was not enough infrastructure within the area to support additional growth.
Since 2017, several major infrastructure upgrades have been completed including the new Sydney Metro North West line, upgrades to key roads and school infrastructure, and a NSW Government commitment to build a new hospital at Rouse Hill.
For more information:
Frequently asked questions
We engaged a transport and traffic consultant to assess the implications of the rezoning and proposed growth. This assessment identified enhancements to improve connectivity to the existing metro stations. We sought feedback during exhibition.
Stanhope Gardens contains several Community Title schemes which offer a mix of detached dwellings and townhouses.
To provide opportunities to redevelop Stanhope Gardens, the land in the area will need to be amalgamated and agreed upon by 100% of landowners. The department discussed the intention further with landowners in the area during the community information sessions.
The delivery of new open space and parks to support growth in Kellyville and Bella Vista is an important component of this proposal. An analysis that provides options for improving the quality of existing open space and the delivery of new open space was included in our exhibition material. We will now review the feedback provided by the community and stakeholders, and finalise an open space delivery plan.
The department identified several opportunities for new active transport, new open spaces and improvements to existing open spaces and community facilities to support proposed growth. We sought feedback on these opportunities during exhibition.
The department will now work with The Hills Shire Council and Blacktown City Council to ensure additional growth resulting from the TOD rezoning is supported by updated contributions plans for the delivery of local infrastructure such as roads, parks and cycleways.
The new Housing and Productivity Contribution (HPC) will levy contributions towards providing state and regional infrastructure such as roads, hospitals and schools. The NSW Government has also committed $520 million to provide active transport links and good quality public open spaces in the TOD precincts.
Any ‘accelerated precinct’ under the TOD program including Kellyville and Bella Vista are proposed to be excluded from:
- planning controls introduced under the TOD State Environmental Planning Policy
- changes to create low- and mid-rise housing recently introduced by the NSW Government
- low risk concurrence and referrals.
In addition, an alternative design excellence pathway for proponents is being developed as a well as a new temporary state significant development (SSD) category for residential development that is valued above $60 million. This threshold is proposed to complement existing SSD thresholds.
The NSW Government indicated the TOD accelerated precincts will deliver housing within 1,200 m of transport hubs. Detailed investigations have defined the precinct boundary, which is typically smaller than a 1,200 m radius from transport hubs. This will enable more homes to be located within easy walking distance of key public transport hubs, promoting active transport opportunities, such as cycling and reducing reliance on other modes of personal transport.