POLITICS
Government vision for Cherrybrook- an infrastructure crisis
The Hills Shire Council has strongly rejected the NSW Government’ s State-led rezoning proposal for the Cherrybrook Station Precinct, warning it will overwhelm existing infrastructure and undermine years of strategic planning. Council has requested that the proposal be paused and will seek an urgent meeting with the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully MP, to raise serious concerns about the scale and impacts of the plan.
The Government’ s draft proposal would replace the previously endorsed Cherrybrook Place Strategy with a dramatically expanded vision: 9,320 dwellings on a 55-hectare site— almost triple the amount planned under the original strategy. Of these, around 5,000 apartments are slated for the Hills side of the precinct, a steep increase from the 1,275 units previously allowed.
Building heights would rise sharply as well, from a five-storey cap to as many as 19 storeys south of Castle Hill Road and 28 storeys to the north.
Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, said the scale of these changes is unacceptable and represents a breach of trust with the community.
“ This is a TOD [ Transport Oriented Development ] in name only, not in practice. The steep slope, already clogged roads, and the lack of opportunities to work, socialise or access essential daily needs— such as schools, shops, businesses and other civic spaces— within the walkable southern catchment all defy proper TOD principles,” Mayor Byrne said.“ This is environmentally sensitive land,
and it is not as though this precinct is expected to solve the housing crisis in the short term.
“ Quadrupling the number of units on The Hills Shire side without the infrastructure to support them is not planning— it’ s dumping density and walking away.”
Council has raised significant concerns about the absence of planning for new roads, sports fields and schools. The original Place Strategy acknowledged that even under lower housing numbers, new schools and two to three sports fields were essential.
Mayor Byrne emphasised that the community had been assured the Place Strategy— developed over many years through technical studies, consultation and inter-agency collaboration— would guide future development. She also criticised the State Government’ s onemonth consultation period, despite the dramatic increase in scale.
“ It is reckless to throw out years of planning and then give only four weeks of consultation for such a major proposal,” she said.“ Our community deserves better than this rushed, top-down approach.”
Council has also highlighted other risks, including a known landslide hazard on steep slopes south of Castle Hill Road. The draft proposal does not include sufficient geotechnical assessment to properly inform the precinct plan.
“ We cannot move ahead with a rezoning of this scale when there is a known geotechnical hazard sitting under a substantial part of the precinct,” Mayor Byrne said.“ We are concerned the measures required to address the landslip hazard may compromise adjoining properties and infrastructure and could lead to the complete loss of trees— resulting in a visually dominant and oppressive precinct.
“ Public safety must come first. The Government must pause this process until comprehensive investigations are completed and a proper solution is identified. It is simply unacceptable to rezone land for high-rise towers without adequately understanding the stability of the slopes beneath them.”
Adding further concern, the Government intends to cap developer contributions, restricting Council’ s ability to fund critical infrastructure. Mayor Byrne warned that Box Hill remains without key roads, footpaths, parks and drainage because contributions were previously capped, leaving Council now seeking $ 207 million from the NSW Government to deliver infrastructure residents were promised.
The Hills already faces significant growth pressures, with 15,455 new homes forecast in the next five years and 17,000 approved but unbuilt dwellings— including 5,500 apartments near Metro stations.
“ The Government should be unlocking
Mark Hodges MP, Mayor Byrne, Peter Ernst President of the West Pennant Hills Valley Progress Association and General Manager of The Hills Shire Council Michael Edgar
approved homes and delivering infrastructure, not imposing unrealistic densities that our roads and services cannot support,” Mayor Byrne said.
Council will prepare a detailed submission opposing the proposal and continue urging the Government to extend the exhibition period to February 2026.
“ The Hills community will not be steamrolled,” Mayor Byrne said.“ This rezoning is not in anyone’ s best interests— neither current residents nor the future community. Council will fight for a fair, sensible and infrastructure-led approach.”
REAL ESTATE
Urban Real Estate expands its market
presence with a new office in The Hills District
Urban Real Estate has expanded its footprint by opening its 16th office in The Gables, strengthening its presence across the Hills District— one of Sydney’ s fastest-growing residential regions in the north-west. The new office will service key communities including The Gables, McGraths Hill, Rouse Hill and North Kellyville, offering land and residential sales as well as full property management services.
The opening comes as the group celebrates more than 1,400 sales since January 2025 and coincides with Urban’ s 25th anniversary. Director of Residential Sales, Trent Brewer, said the milestone holds special significance.
“ This office is particularly meaningful for us, as it represents another milestone in the Hills area— where we first began selling real estate over 25 years ago,” Mr Brewer said.
“ We now quite literally wrap ourselves around Sydney’ s major growth corridors— from the Hunter through Sydney and down to the Illawarra— providing a true one-stop shop for our clients.”
Unlike traditional franchise models, Urban Real Estate operates as one unified network. Its 16 offices, more than 70 agents and nearly 2,000 managements are connected through a culture of collaboration and a shared philosophy known as RealEstateLove, which reflects the company’ s passion for property, people and outstanding client service.
Mr Brewer said this approach continues to attract experienced professionals to the brand.
“ Our distinctive approach to real estate and agent support has sparked strong interest from talented agents eager to join our team,” he said.
“ It’ s been incredibly rewarding to see the calibre of professionals wanting to be part of Urban.
We do things a little differently here— and that’ s exactly what our vendors appreciate.”
Designed as a family-focused suburb, The Gables offers wide streets, parks, green open space, and future community infrastructure, combining natural landscapes with contemporary urban living. Mr Brewer said the master-planned community reflects Urban Real Estate’ s longterm growth vision.
With more than two decades of experience, Urban has earned a strong reputation for achieving premium sale results through deep local expertise and innovative technologies— including the use of artificial intelligence to enhance marketing and buyer engagement.
Across its offices in Sydney, the Illawarra and the Hunter, Urban Real Estate remains committed to its core mission: empowering clients to navigate the property market with confidence and achieve the strongest possible outcomes.
Urban Real Estate- One Brand. 70 Agents. 16 Offices. Local Agents. Local Knowledge. In your local shopping centre.
20 ISSUE 127 // JANUARY 2026 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT